AM Info: India Hosts an International Conference on Media and Literature

Aboul-Yazid Dali (Egypt), J. Nthabiseng Jafta (South Africa), Dr. Wale Okediran (Nigeria), Dr. Prithviraj Taur, member of the organizing committee

The Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, India, literature Studies, School of Media Studies And Fine and Performing Arts jointly organize Conference on “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” in Art, Media and Literature. The 3-Day International on “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” - a phrase means “The whole world is a family” - will be online and offline. Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University Nanded is in the Marathwada region areas of the districts of Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli and Latur under its jurisdiction. The conference will take place from 17 to19 October 2023 at SRTM University, Nanded, India.

The Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University was established at Nanded by bi-furcating the Marathwada University, Aurangabad on 17th September 1994, the day on which in 1948 Hyderabad State was liberated from rule of the Nizam. Nanded is a district headquarters as well as a holy city situated on the banks of Godavari River in southeastern part of Maharashtra state.

The University plays a crucial role in the development and progress of the global citizens in the technologically dominated 21 of the University is “Enlightened Student: A Source of Immense Power” university has pledged itself to zealously uphold its dissemination of knowledge through fearless and sustained pursuit of excellence. The university aims to mold the personalities of students entering its portals with an upright character, filled with just and humane society.

The School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies of language, literature and culture and provide opportunities to recognize and face the challenges of globalization, enhance the students’ linguistic skills their literary and cultural sensibilities methods.

The School of Media Studies strives for excellence in Media Education, Training and Research by imparting value-based education using multidisciplinary approach to enhance students established links with various institutions and society to bring about meaningful dialogue on issues important to Indian society and humankind.

The School of Fine and Performing Arts is designated for culture through its teaching and research in classical as well as folk dance, drama, vocal and instrumental music. The School is engaged in creating linkages at local, regional, national and international levels through art and cultural exchange.

The Entire World is a Family, for the Magnanimous, this verse of the Maha Upanishad is engraved in the entrance hall of the Parliament of India. The theme and the logo of India’s recent G20 Presidency also include “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” or “One Earth-One Family-One Future”. We can say that this idea is at the heart of India’s world view and its vision for the future of humankind. India’s history and present are the very embodiment of the idea of inclusiveness which underpins the concept of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam”.

This concept links the individual, not only to own community and the human community at large, but also to the Earth, advocating holistic development and living in harmony with man and nature. It affirms the value of alllife – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

Day by day, as technology reduces the barriers of space and time, humankind is also moving towards a global citizenship, facing common economic, political, ecological, social and cultural challenges. “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” envisages anall-inclusive human society in sync with nature and all living beings, that transcends the barriers of class, religion, gender, location, colour, caste and language. It dreams of bringing all living beings together and fostering the feeling of “We” in the place of “Us/Them”.

It would not be wrong to say that such an inclusive world view is the need of the hour, not just for sustainable development and progress of all peoples in the 21st Century, but for the very future survival of human kind, all beings and the Earth itself. The concept of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” has found expression in the domain of Arts and Letters, which often serves as a mirror, a critique and a harbinger of reality. Therefore, this conference would like to explore various dimensions of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam”, especially as it is as reflected in Art, Media and Literature.

Invited Speakers are Dr. Wale Okediran (Nigeria), Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Dali (Egypt) , Jahrose Nthabiseng Jafta (South Africa), Dr Suraj Yengde (USA), Shri. Rajkumar Tangade (Jalna), Dr. Sanjay Ranade (Mumbai) , Dr. Sanjay Tambat (Pune), Dr. Bhimrao Bhosale (Hyderabad), and Dr. Kavita Murumkar (Solapur).

Themes of Paper Presentation

Papers will consider the concept of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam”in Art, Media and Literature, in sub themes such as: Transnationalism in Art, Media and Literature, Technology/ Digitization and Art, Literature and Media, Innovation of Literary, Artistic and Mediatic Forms, Modes and Themes, Individual as Global Citizen in the Past, Present and Future, Representations of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” in World Literature, Art and Media, Representations of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”in Indian Literature, Art and Media India and the World, South-South Engagement Earth, Environment and Resources Humankind, Earth and the Cosmos, Local Community and National Development Concept of ‘Glocal’ Conflict, Peace and Non-Violence, Human Rights and Human Values Marginalization and Agency, Gender and Sexuality, Children, Young Adults and Childhood, Disability: Physical and Psychological, Religious and Cultural Syncretism, Science and Humanism

Each paper presenter is allotted 20 minutes, of which 15 minutes are for presentation and 5 minutes for discussion. Presentation will be in presentation mode only.

The organizing committee has the membership of Prof. Rajendra Gonarkar (Convenor), Prof. Ramesh Dhage (Org. Secretary), Dr. Prithviraj Taur (Convenor), Prof. Shailaja Wadikar, Dr. Yogini Satarkar, Prof. Dipak Shinde Dr. Anuradha Patki, Prof. Dilip Chavan, Dr. VaijanathAnamulwad Dr. Suhas Pathak Dr. Shivraj Shinde, Dr. P. Vitthal Mr Mohd Zishan Ali, Dr. Sachin Narangale Mr Kiran Sawant, Dr. Nina Gogate Mr Prashant Bompilwar, Mr. Namdev Bompilwar, Mr. Rahul Gaikwad, Mr. Kailas Pupulwad and Mr. Abhijit Waghmare.

TEXT: Ashraf Aboul-Yazid