DiscoverBangalore is pleased to introduce Dr. Sudha Gopinath, a Professor of Philosophy and the granddaughter of the Diwan of Mysore.

Most of us assume that philosophy is for those “oldies” in the sunset of life, and delving into the understanding of life is appropriate at that point of time. This is the confusion in our minds equating VYRAGYA with philosophy. “But philosophy is a science with applications to all aspects of life” opines 62 year old Dr.Sudha Gopinath, this down to earth student of Philosophy as she prefers to call herself, in spite of decades of rich teaching experience. Sudha feels that Philosophy is a science, in so far as philosophical thinking is rational thinking where there is no place for any dogma or superstition. However, the question raised in philosophy are so deep and fundamental that a conclusive answer is not possible. As Socrates opines, the responsibility of philosophy is not to answer our questions but to questin our answers. If Physics presupposes that matter exists, Philosophy asks the question, "What is matter?" Again if philosophy presupposes that there are minds, philosophy inquires "What is mind?" One may wonder when questions remain questions, why study philosophy at all. The advantages are many. Philosophy sharpens the mind and the intellect. It is a critical tool to clarify issues to make one take better decisions.

Even though there are no conclusions or universally sound answers to man's query on topics like God, Soul, or Freedom, the philosophic training makes one open-minded to see that the goal of all Religions is the same. It is a ray of hope for global peace. Thus Philosophy may may not help one get a better job, but surely it helps one to have a better life. Dr.Sudha Gopinath taught philosophy for over 25 years at the Bangalore Univesity. Specializing in western philosophy with consummate skill and ease she espouses the various Vedantic concepts that the uninitiated can understand.

Dr.Sudha’s paternal grandfather Sri N.Madhava Rau was the DIWAN of Mysore during Jayachandra Wodeyar’s rule and her father in law’s grandfather Sri.M.Shama Rao was the chief education secretary in the maharaja’s time. Her paternal uncle Sri.Narasimha Rau was the Chief Secretary to GOK.Father Late Sri.Lashman Rau was also the Home Secretary to the Government of Karnataka. Madhav rau was the raja mantri praveena and pradhana shiromani and addressed as such even after retirement. His important contribution was in the area of Bangalore’s town planning (1942) so much so that when my daughter was doing her architecture course, the professor mentioned that he was the best Town planner and showed the idea that he propounded and the sketch. Sudha’s genealogy is very enviable as these are names that find a place of honour in the records of Karnataka.

The prestigious Indraprastha College, Delhi was where she obtained her masters in Philosophy. Her doctoral degree was from Bangalore University on 'Analytic Philosophy with special reference to Moral Philosophy'. She has done post Doctoral research as a fellow of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research for preparation of Learning Material. She has to her credit many published articles. Some of which have been prescribed as study material for MA first and second year under Open University scheme of Bangalore University. She was part of the team that worked on the Encyclopedia of Hinduism from the Bangalore center. She now teaches part time, at the Dharmaram College, and conducts BU’s contact classes for the long distance learning students. She is currently working on a book in Kannada on Western philosophy for BA students. She has interests in Music and Literature.

“My association with philosophy itself was a chance. Being a student of science till the pre grad level scoring good grades, it was a decision hat I had taken and nobody looked askance. My father and grand father were voracious readers in the true sense of the word. But they never read philosophy.” She further adds “In his seventies my grand father suddenly told me one day that this was one subject he never took interest in and bought the Essentials of Indian philosophy by Hiriyanna to get rooted in the basics. He then told me that he was not able to understand anything and took the assistance of a Sanskrit scholar to help him. He gave up as it was too late to go deep into the subject and continued to read those books that interested him. Since I had joined Philosophy course he autographed the book and gave it to me and this is one of my prized possessions.”

She goes on to add “I immensely enjoyed philosophy as a student and as a teacher. As years rolled I have realised that this subject has helped me to be more analytic and rationally critical. It has helped me to come to terms with myself and face situations without rancour, and am at peace with myself. Three generations stay together and there is perfect understanding in my home.We respect each other’s privacy with interdependence“.

As told to Githa .U.Badikillaya

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