Confy @ Osmania University, Hyderabad

Three-day International Conference on Commonwealth Literature

8-10 February 2018

Osmania University, Hyderabad

Concept Note

“A room without books is like a body without soul.” (Cicero)

In today’s multicultural and multi-lingual society, the focus of literary studies has drastically changed. The focus has shifted to postcolonial theory, lesbian and homosexual writing, diaspora, ethnic studies and corporate fiction. In the last three decades, writers across the globe have enriched the literary scene by dealing with contemporary themes and issues. Some of these writers are Margaret Atwood, Peter Carey, David Malouf, J.M. Coetzee, Gunter Grass, Kazuo Ishiguro, Milan Kundera, Rohinton Mistry, Toni Morrison, Ben Okri, V.S. Naipaul, Michael Ondaatje, Zadie Smith and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. 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

Some of the books published during last three decades have made indelible impact on us. 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.

Humanities/ Social Sciences

The conference is both comparative and interdisciplinary in character. Literature is closely related to humanities and social sciences. Certain political and social movements have all-pervading influence on common people as also on literary milieu. A writer is essentially the conscience bearer and moral watchman of his people. The conference will therefore discuss, apart from literature, like Terrorism, Popular Culture, Human Rights, Feminism, in all spheres of knowledge. Papers are therefore invited from scholars in the disciplines of History, Political Science, Philosophy and Psychology, within the larger framework of the theme of the conference.

Call for Papers

•       Landmarks in Indian and World Literature 1990-2018

•       Globalism and Literature

•       Diversity, Multiculturalism

•       Local, Glocal and Global Identity

•       Feminism

•       Eco-Criticism

•       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

Creative Writing Session

A number of creative writers will participate in the session. Ms. Roswitha, German writer in India, will deliver a special lecture on her recent novel.

Publication

Select Papers presented at the Conference will be brought out as a volume of essays—an ISBN publication—or as a special issue of the U.G.C.-approved bi-annual journal The Commonwealth Review. However, articles of only the subscribers will be considered for inclusion.

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, is a historical city—well-known for pearls. It is a seat of learning and has more than seven universities. A multicultural city, it is famous for grandeur and royalty. Places to visit include Char Minar, Salar Jung Museum, Fort and the Lake. Weather in November is pleasant. Accommodation will be provided in the OUCIP Guest House on twin-sharing basis.

Book Exhibition

There will be a Book Exhibition where members can display their publications. Members who wish to get their books released may send copies of the books preferably in advance.

What to send

A 200-word abstract should be submitted by 30 December 2017 along with the information in this order: a) author b) affiliation c) email address d) title of the abstract. Abstracts may be sent to: iscstudies@gmail.com

Acceptance

Acceptance will be sent by the Academic Committee, within three days from the receipt of the abstract. Submission of registration fee and travel bookings may follow.Certificate of Participation in the International Conference will be given to all registered delegates. Convener, Academic Committee: Professor Jagdish Batra, Jindal Global University. Sonepat.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission: 20 December 2017

Registration Fee: 10 January 2018

Registration Fee

Foreign delegates

USD 300, includes accommodation for 4-5 nights, hospitality and conference kit

India delegates

Rs. 3500 per person. It includes Conference fee, accommodation, Conference kit and hospitality.

Rs. 2500 per person, not needing accommodation. It includes Conference fee, Conference kit and hospitality.

Research scholars, not employed and below 30: Local Rs. 2000;

Outstation with accommodation Rs. 3000.

Spot registration will not be possible.

Late Fee after 10 January 2018: Rs. 300

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.

For all queries, contact:

Secretary, ISCS: iscstudies@gmail.com

Dr. Suman Bala:balasum@gmail.com      Mobile: 0-9891097657