National Seminar on Dalit Literature

National Seminar on Production and Reception of Dalit Literature

[Release of Seminar Abstracts-Dr.T.Marx, Prof.Vengutaramanae, Prof.K.Chellappan, Shri.Choletti Prabahar,IAS, and Prof.S.Murali (Left to right)]

The National Seminar on the Production and Reception of Dalit Literature was held on 30^th and 31^st March 2011 in the Department of English, Pondicherry University. Many Dalit literature experts and scholars contributed their invaluable opinions and critical views on Dalit literature that has sprung up in several Indian languages and in English translations. The Seminar was organized by Dr.T.Marx and the overwhelming support and cooperation of I MA students made the seminar a grand success. All the faculty members of the Department extended their kind cooperation for the Seminar. 

The presidential address was given by Prof.S. Murali, the Head of the Dept of English, Pondicherry University. Mr. Cholleti Prabhakar I.A.S, Secretary to Government of Puducherry, and Prof.Vengutaramanae, Dean, School of Humanities, Pondicherry University offered felicitation. The most remarkable event of the seminar was the inaugural address delivered by the renowned scholar in English literary studies Prof. K. Chellappan, Former Director, State Institute of English. He illustrated the quintessential traits of the Dalit literary writings as a contradicting genre to the mainstream literature for its political and cultural purposes. He also pointed out the nature of Dalit literature as a revolting enterprise against all external and internal oppressions. He gave an analytical example by his reading of the novels of Sivakami and Bama as Dalit feminist writings. Around 50 papers were presented by the researchers and writers of Dalit literature across the nation, among whom the prominent few were Dr. S.Prabahar, Head, Dept of English, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Dr.Armstrong from the University of Madras, Dr.Ajayan, Sri Narayana College, Kollam, Dr. MB. Manoj, Department of Malayalam, Kottayam University, Kerala, Mr.Binu Pallipat, Freelance writer cum poet, Kumali, Dr. J.Bheemaiah  from the University of Hyderabad, Mr. Viswanathan, Reader’s Editor, The Hindu and Mr.A .Xavier, Director, Dalit Intellectual Forum, Trichy.

The event was designed with multi-dimensional tasks which, transcending the literary boundaries, focused on the social aspects of Dalit liberation and the still-continuing atrocities against the out-caste people. Speakers and paper presenters largely concentrated upon these aspects in the two-day seminar. A symposium on the atrocities against Dalits had also been arranged specifically for this kind of discussions. Dr. S. Prabahar convened the symposium, in which Gauthama Sannah, Advocate Madras High Court, Freelance writer cum orator Kudiyarasan and Dr.Kesava Kumar, Department of Philosophy, Pondicherry University participated. The seminar got a successful ending with the valedictory address of Prof. Ramadass, Director, Studies, Educational Innovations and Rural Reconstruction. The I year PG students’ support was indeed marvelous throughout the event. The theme song produced by I MA students deserved the attention of the audience. Another important event was the flute music by Binu Pallipad.

Educate! Organize! Agitate! –Dr.B.R.Ambedkar