Osmania University Centre for International Programmes
&
Indian Society for Commonwealth Studies
Call for Papers
Three-day International Conference on Commonwealth Literature
26-28 November 2015 (Thursday-Saturday)
Venue: Osmania University Centre for International Programmes, Hyderabad
Organized by Indian Society for Commonwealth Studies
in collaboration with
Osmania University Centre for International Programmes (OUCIP)
Theme: Landmarks in Indian and World Literatures:
20th and 21th Centuries
Concept Note
Though a colonial legacy, we cannot avoid reading or writing in English. It is necessary
for us to use the English language to assert our identity in all its facets in the highly
competitive world today. The growth of Indian writing and Translation Studies can be
traced to the setting up of Fort William College, and the efforts made by William Carey
and John Gilchrist. Since then, Indian writing in English has made long strides. Today
Indian English literature has registered a remarkable growth and many of our writers
like Anita Desai, Bharati Mukherjee, Amitav Ghosh, Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie and
Jhumpa Lahiri have achieved international recognition. As Indian writing in English
has come of age, it is time to examine where it stands in terms of other literatures in the
world, and what are the reasons of its popularity.
Comparative Approach
We now are the citizens of the world and can no longer afford to neglect the excellence
of other literatures in the world. Just as national literature is the reflection of the
national history, so is the world literature a by-product of comparative literature. We
are glocal—both local and global. While comparing Indian writers/ movements with
overseas writers/ movements, we are mainly concerned with relationships,
resemblances and differences. Such an approach will give wider dimensions to the
realm of contemporary literature.
Call for Papers
•
Globalism and Literature
•
Diversity, Multiculturalism
•
Local, Glocal and Global Identity
•
Hybridity, ambivalence, contingency in Postcolonial literature
•
Feminism
•
Eco-Criticism
•
Nation as an imaginary entity
•
Diaspora literature
•
Minority literature
•
Subaltern Studies
•
Comparative literature
•
Special sessions on Canadian, Irish, African and Australian literatures
Highlights
•
Renowned Keynote Speakers and Resource Persons
•
Plenary Lectures
•
Panel Discussions
•
Release of the Journal
•
Readings by Creative Writers
•
Book Releases/Book-Exhibition
•
Conference Dinner
•
Cultural Evening: Trip to the City Sites
Creative Writing Session
A number of creative writers will participate in the session. Ms. Roswitha German
writer in India, will deliver a special lecture: “How I became a Writer?”
Publication
Selected Papers presented at the Conference will be brought out as a volume of
essays—an ISBN publication—or as a special issue of the bi-annual journal The
Commonwealth Review.
The aim of this International Conference is to encourage academics, scholars and
practitioners representing an exciting diversity of countries, cultures and languages to
meet and exchange views in a forum encouraging respectful dialogue.
Objectives
The deliberations of the conference will be useful for sharpening the research tools and
strategies by the teachers and research scholars. The conference will discuss multiculturalism
focusing on the ideological issues of caste, gender, religion, and the social movements
affecting the new literatures written in different languages and regions with a view to
bringing out the multicultural diversity of the globe. It is hoped that the conference will
enlighten the delegates and scholars about the nature of the new literatures, the ideological
and cultural deep structures lying behind them, and the way the multiculturalism of the
writers has questioned the established beliefs and systems to uphold humanism based on the
values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The City of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, the Capital of Telangana State, is a historical city—well-known for pearls. It is a
seat of learning and has more than seven universities. It is a multicultural city, famous for
grandeur and royalty. Places to visit include Charminar, Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort,
Hussain Sagar Lake and the Chowmahalla Palace.
Accommodation and Climate
Weather in November is pleasant. Accommodation will be provided in the OUCIP
Guest House on twin-sharing basis.
What to send
A 300-word abstract should be submitted by 30 October 2015 along with the
information in this order: a) author b) affiliation c) email address d) title of the abstract.
Send the abstract to iscstudies@gmail.com
Acceptance
Acceptance will be sent by the Convener, Academic Committee, within a week from
the receipt of the abstract. Submission of registration fee and travel bookings may
follow.
Important Dates
Abstract Submission: 30 October 2015
Abstract Acceptance: 5 November 2015
Registration Fee: 10 November 2015
Registration Fee
Rs. 3200 per person. It includes Conference fee, accommodation, Conference kit and
hospitality.
Rs. 2000 per person not needing accommodation. It includes Conference fee,
Conference kit and hospitality.
Research scholars, not employed, Rs. 1200.
Membership of the Association is pre-requisite to participation.
Spot registration will not be possible.
Kindly note that we are not in a position to assist with the conference travel or
subsistence. Participants are requested to approach their institutions for travel grant and
conference fee.
Enquiries may be addressed to:
Secretary, ISCS:
iscstudies@gmail.com
Dr. Suman Bala:
balasum@gmail.com
Dr. A. Karunaker:
akredrem@gmail.com, oucipprogrammes@gmail.com
Mobile no:
09849302145, 04027098609, 04027079914