The Impressive TimesFaridabad, 3rd February 2024: In a celebration of literary richness and scholarly discourse, the Department of English at the School of Media Studies & Humanities, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, organized a compelling two-day International Conference on “Narrative and Narration: Mapping Out Latest Trends in South Asian Literature,” held on January 30 and 31, 2024, leaving an indelible mark on the academic landscape.
The conference was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, Managing Director, MREI; Professor Sanjay Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, MRIIRS; and Dr. Maithili Ganjoo, Dean, School of Media Studies and Humanities.
The Chief Guest of the occasion was Else Liliani, an Associate Professor from Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia. Professor (Dr.) Ramesh C. Gaur, Director / Head – Kala Nidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, GOI was the Keynote speaker.
Dr. Shivani Vashist, Director, SMeH and Head, Department of English, in her welcome address, outlined the most recent developments in South Asian literature and discussed how representation, facts, and knowledge are dealt with in literature.
Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, Managing Director, MREI explained the power of narrative and its influence on making significant changes in nations.
Dr Sanjay Srivastava said, “The international conference on Latest Trends in South Asian Literature provided a stimulating platform for scholarly discourse. Commendable contributions from diverse voices advanced our understanding of the region’s literary heritage and contemporary trends.”
Chief Guest Else Liliani, an associate professor from Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia started her talk with ‘Ken Dendes’, a popular Southeast Asian narrative. Her lecture brought forward different Buddhist deities of Indonesia while highlighting their striking resemblance with the Hindu gods. She pointed out that the tale of ‘Ken Dendes’ is a tale of a woman’s resistance and contains several elements derived from Indian culture.
The Keynote speaker, Professor (Dr.) Ramesh C. Gaur, Director / Head – Kala Nidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, GOI highlighted the influence of India in the neighboring Southeast Asian Nations. In addition, his address brought to the fore the different versions of Ramayana, which significantly contribute to Southeast Asian culture.
A series of plenary sessions was conducted by Dr. Shashikala Assella, Head of the English Department at the University of Kelaniya on Retelling the History: Women and Their Spaces; Prof. Shanker Dutt, Head of the English Department at Patna University on Dalit Literature Matters; and by Prof. Ram Niwas Sharma, a distinguished professor at Kurukshetra University on Disability Studies in South Asian Literature.
There were seven Technical Sessions in which more than seventy research papers from scholars across India reflected on the latest trends in South Asian literature. Eminent educationists from prestigious universities chaired the Technical Sessions. Each Chairperson shared critical insights on various research articles presented during their sessions, followed by a question-answer round.
The Conference proved to be a beacon of intellectual fervor, guiding participants through the diverse landscapes of South Asian literature. The hybrid organizational style adopted for the conference seamlessly blended the physical and digital realms, facilitating the participation of eminent figures from the realms of English language and literature, arts, and cultural domains.
No Comments: