Sushil Kumar Saxena

🪔 About

Sushil Kumar Saxena (born 1921) is a distinguished Indian musicologist, academic, and philosopher, widely recognized for his profound scholarly contributions to the aesthetics of Indian classical music and dance, particularly Kathak. A former Professor of Philosophy at the University of Delhi, Saxena introduced the teaching of philosophical aesthetics at the postgraduate level in 1964, continuing until his retirement in 1986. Saxena's extensive body of work includes several influential books and essays that delve into the philosophical underpinnings and aesthetic principles of Indian performing arts. His seminal work, "Swinging Syllables: Aesthetics of Kathak Dance," is considered a pioneering study that analytically examines the art form, exploring its rhythmic structures, aesthetic predicates, and creative devices. Other notable publications include "Hindustan Music and Aesthetics Today" and "Hindustani Sangeet and a Philosopher of Art: Music, Rhythm, and Kathak Dance Vis-à-vis Aesthetics of Susanne K. Langer." Through his writings, Saxena has provided a contemporary philosophical lens to understand and appreciate Indian music, rhythm, and Kathak dance. For his significant contributions to scholarship in the performing arts, Saxena has received numerous accolades. He was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) in 2007, the highest honor conferred by India's national academy for music, dance, and drama. He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Annual Award in 2007. The Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honor, in 2008. Earlier, he was awarded the Parishad Samman in 1995 by the Sahitya Kala Parishad of Delhi State for his all-round contribution to music. He also held a National (Culture) Fellowship from the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 2003 to 2005. Saxena's work has cemented his position as a preeminent researcher and author, shaping the academic discourse around Indian classical dance. Awards & Honours: Parishad Samman (1995), National (Culture) Fellowship (2003), Sangeet Natak Akademi Annual Award (2007), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) (2007), Padma Bhushan (2008).