Lexical Analysis of Sanskrit Verbs: An online thesaurus of Sanskrit verbs based on Kriyanighantu
The project aims to develop an online thesaurus for Sanskrit verbs by digitizing Kriyanighantu, addressing the challenges of Sanskrit’s complex verbal system. It will provide a user-friendly, web-based resource to support learners, researchers, and enthusiasts in exploring lexical semantics. Key features include semantic search at the word and compound verb level, establishing semantic connections among verbs, and creating tools for enhanced text comprehension. A collaboration between IIIT Kottayam and Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan (CIFSS), this initiative will fill a critical gap in digital Sanskrit resources and advance research in lexical semantics and language technology.
Project Team: Dr. Manu Madhavan, Dr. Nandini J Warrier, Dr. Manoj V R (CIFSS)
Funding Agency: Central Sanskrit University
Duration: September 2024 to September 2026
Project URL: kriyanighantu.iiitkottayam.ac.in
HASTA- Hand Gesture Analysis System for Traditional Arts of Kerala
This collaborative project with Kerala Kalamandalam focuses on AI-enabled interpretation of hand gestures (mudras) in Kerala’s classical theaters, Kathakali and Koodiyattam. Both art forms, rich in tradition and recognized globally, rely heavily on gesticulation (Abhinaya) for storytelling, with mudras serving as the principal meaning-bearing component. The project aims to build a tool that can recognize and semantically interpret mudra sequences from video data. Key steps include developing a model to detect the 24 basic mudras, constructing a computational ontology for the Kathakali mudra system, and creating an AI model capable of decoding mudra sequences, enhancing accessibility and appreciation of these art forms.
Project Team: Dr. Nandini J Warrier, Dr. Manu Madhavan, Dr. Selvi C (IIIT Kottayam), Arun B. Warrier, Dr. Thulasi Kumar, Dr. Sudeep A. Mohan (Kerala Kalamandalam)
Funding Agency: DST-SHRI
Duration: Sanctioned