DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 8 th 10 th DECEMBER, 2014 Venue: F50, Centenary Building, Chepuak, Chennai-600 005. Supported By INDIAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH LITERARY COMMONS! (UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY) SAHITYA AKADEMI TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
The Madras University is located in Chennai, the capital of the Indian State, Tamilnadu. It is the mother of almost all the old universities of Southern India. Established in 1969, the Department of English at the University of Madras, hosts an enviable program in literary studies, with many international collaborations. The Department introduced a core course on Australian Studies and the Australia Government sponsored academicians through the Australia-India Council to teach this course. The Department has also supported the Writer in Residence programme of the Asia Link Unit of Australia-India Council under which leading Australian writers like Lee Cataldi, Judith Rodriguez, Inez Baranay, Graeme Miles and Kristy Murray were hosted by the Department. Theme Note 8-10 December, 2014 The contemporary socio-cultural and literary scenario calls for a relocation in the conception and construction of the terms Culture, Literature and Arts. These do not refer merely to the everyday experiences and expressions of a particular group but have become resources to be utilized across nationalities. The prospect of trans-national consumption of cultural, literary and artistic products has created inquisitiveness for the other, thereby drawing countries and people closer and making national borders permeable. The recent quest for Australia in India and India in Australia has resulted in not only building mutual bonds between the two but has opened up further avenues for research in literatures and cultures. Though Australia and India strike common chords in recognizing their pluralities and marginalities, distinct traits of richness exist in their cultures, literatures and arts. In both these postcolonial set-ups, ethnic minorities have been struggling for representation within the canonical structures of nationality. Today, when minority literatures are moving towards becoming inevitable components of a nation s identity, one needs to take into account the challenges faced by minoritiesthe indigenous and ethnic minorities in Australia; Dalit and Tribal population in India. Local cultures, literatures and arts are open to the risks of appropriation, commodification and mediation by dominant cultures when exchanged globally. In this context, the proposed Conference titled, Culture, Literature, Arts: Australia-India addresses the commonality and diversity of cultural, literary and artistic experiences in Australia and India. It throws light on the local, national and global challenges that cultures, literatures and arts of Australia and India face in the contemporary scenario. This Conference also focuses on central issues in Australian Indigenous Writings and Dalit Writings, one of the most radical and political literatures of India today, which shares much in common with Indigenous Australian writing. It intends to create a platform for fruitful interaction among
Australian and Indian Scholars of both canonical and non-canonical literatures, with the following subthemes: Oral & Written Literatures Indigenous- Dalit/Tribal Methodologies Culture Studies Indigenous Epistemology and Knowledge Systems Dalit Epistemology and Knowledge Systems Critical Theories Critical Pedagogies Performance Studies Translation Studies Visual Anthropology Arts Music; Painting; Dances Film & Media Culture Gender Studies Multiculturalism Migration & Diaspora Human Rights & Land Rights Papers in any of the above or related areas from a comparative perspective for enriching bilateral, cultural and literary relationships between Australia-India are welcome. The recent bonding between Australia and India in terms of trade, education and culture necessitates such a conference which will serve bilateral academic interests and explore the possibilities of establishing MoUs that will further strengthen the Austral-Indian bonds.
CALL FOR PAPERS Papers are invited from Academicians Faculty and Research Scholars in the thrust areas of Indian and Australian cultures, literatures and arts. A focus on Dalit/Indigenous cultures is welcome. Select papers will be published after a peer-review in LITTCRIT, an internationally renowned journal published from Trivandrum, Kerala. Authors information Name, Affiliation and contact details should be mentioned in the paper. The complete paper should be formatted according to the MLA (7 th edition) style and should not exceed 3000 words. Abstracts and Papers should be mailed to: claaienglish@gmail.com Dates To Remember Last Date for Submission of Abstracts (200 words): 10 th November, 2014 Intimation of Selected Abstracts: 15 th November, 2014 Last Date for Submission of complete paper & Registration for the Conference: 25 th November, 2014 Registration Fees for Participants/ Paper PAPER-PRESENTERS Students/Research Scholars: INR. 500/- Indian Faculty Members: INR. 1000/- Foreign Delegates: INR 2000/- The payment should be made as Demand Drafts drawn from any nationalized bank in favour of Professor & Head, Department of English, University of Madras payable at Chennai Accommodation Accommodation will be arranged on request and payment from participants For Further Enquiries Contact: Dr. S. Armstrong / Ms. Supala Pandiarajan Ph: 044-25399507/ 9940633434 Email: claaienglish@gmail.com
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 8 th 10 th DECEMBER, 2014 Venue: F50, Centenary Building, Chepuak, Chennai-600 005. REGISTRATION FORM Name (In Block letters): Designation: Department: Address: Pin: Email: Mobile No. Payment Details: DD No. & Date Amount: Bank & Branch: Place: Date: Signature of the Participant
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 8 th 10 th DECEMBER, 2014 Organizing Committee Patron: Prof. R. Thandavan, Vice Chancellor, University of Madras Co-Patron: Dr. P. David Jawahar, Registrar, University of Madras Conference Coordinator: Dr. S. Armstrong, Professor & Head, Department of English, Chair, School of English & Foreign Languages, University of Madras Coordinating Committee Dr. R Azhagarasan, Associate Professor of English, University of Madras Dr. D. Venkataramanan, Assistant Professor of English, University of Madras Ms. Supala Pandiarajan, Assistant Professor of English, University of Madras PARTICIPATING INTERNATIONAL WRITERS Dr. Mridullah Nath Chakraborty, Sydney Cathie Craigie, Sydney Jared Thomas, Adelaide Ellen Van Neerven, Brisbane Nicole Watson, Sydney