Designing the Digital Sahridaya: Mitigating Vighna in HCI and Reimagining Media Literacy through Rasa Theory
Published 23 July 2026
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Abstract
The digital ecosystem which uses algorithms to deliver content to users without any operational obstacles needs an improvement in understanding human emotions. The online communication platform remains divided and hostile because Western Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) systems prioritize usability and user engagement while Media Literacy education centres on teaching students how to think critically. The research paper introduces a new research direction that combines the traditional Indian Natyashastra framework with present-day digital design and educational methods. The research study uses Vighna which represents mental barriers to investigate digital dissonance and introduces Reflective Friction as a design element which helps users develop Sahridaya because it promotes empathic understanding. The approach of Media Literacy needs development because it needs to expand from "critical analysis" toward "Rasa Literacy" which teaches emotional development through aesthetic understanding.