URL copied Lucknow University to offer courses in occult sciences, Ph.D. on 'Tantraagam' The Abhinavagupt Institute of Aesthetics and Shaiva Philosophy, under Lucknow University's Sanskrit department, will offer Ph.D on 'Tantraagam'- the academic and philosophical derivations of the occult and Shaiva philosophy -- a major work of 10th century Kashmiri philosopher Abhinavgupta. The institute will also offer diploma courses in aesthetics and 'natyasastra' (an ancient treatise on dramaturgy). The postgraduates in Sanskrit will be able to pursue the Ph.D. and diploma courses. Brijesh Shukla, the dean, said, "We are introducing a full-fledged paper on Shaiva philosophy and aesthetics at post-graduation level in our M.A (Sanskrit) course and will be conducting doctoral studies in Sanskrit on the topic of Tantraagam and Kashmiri Shaiva philosophy from this session."