UGC-SAP Seminar on 14-15 March 2019 at PU

Chandigarh, March 13, 2019: The two-day UGC-DRS II National seminar on “Towards Indian Theory/Theories of Cultural Studies” will commence on 14 March 2019 at the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University (Mulk Raj Anand Auditorium). The prime aim of the seminar is to explore possibilities of creating critical paradigm, theories and concepts to map configurations of contemporary Indian culture.
Prof.Akshaya Kumar, coordinator of the seminar observed that deliberations over two days would primarily be on the writings, speeches, and newspaper editorials written by Indian thinkers: Gandhi, Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Vivekananda, Aurobindo among others in light of their views on nationalism, culture, language, caste and colonialism. The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. BijoyBoruah, visiting professor of Philosophy at IIT Ropar. Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh will chair the inaugural session. The seminar shall have six plenary speakers invited from leading universities and institutes of the country. Prof. M V Narayanan, Fellow IIAS and professor of English at University of Calicut would speak on the public and private spaces of the nation, Prof Simona Sawhney from IIT Delhi would spell out ideas espoused by Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar. Prof. Sudhir Kumar will make critical reflections on Gandhi’s approach to literary and cultural studies. Dr.Mohibul Haque from Aligarh Muslim University shall speak on Sir Syed’s ideas of modernity.
Prof.Sumanyu Satpathy, formerly at Dept. of English, University of Delhi, will present his thoughts on the uses of controversy in the current Indian scenario. Kamlesh Mohan from the Department of History, Panjab University will make a presentation on Gandhi’s concept of power, sexuality, and nationalism. In a total of seven sessions, spread over two days, the seminar will host discussions on contesting models of development, linguistic federalism, emerging Indian popular culture and entertainment. Additionally, it will examine translational practices and entertainment aesthetics drawn from a close textual analysis of Indian thinkers, writers and activists’ post-1857. The seminar is slated to have a large participation of research scholars of the region.