Concept Note

The literary scene in India is incredibly diverse. It encompasses languages, genres, and traditions that span centuries. Indian literatures reflect the country’s cultural, social, and political complexity, offering vibrant narratives that resonate across time and space. In recent decades, Indian literatures have witnessed significant shifts, influenced by changing socio-political realities, technological advancements, and evolving aesthetic sensibilities. To understand and tap these transformations and foster scholarly engagement, the Department of Indian Languages, Banaras Hindu University, is organizing its First Young Researchers' National Workshop on Contemporary Trends in Indian Literatures.

Objectives and working language of the Workshop

The first chapter of the workshop aims to provide a platform for young scholars and early career researchers to engage with emerging themes, methodologies, and debates in Indian literatures. It seeks to:

• Explore recent developments in literary forms, themes, and styles across Indian literatures.
• Examine how contemporary Indian literatures engage with issues like globalization, identity, poetics, spiritualism, environment, AI, to name a few.
• Encourage inter-disciplinary and cross-linguistic approaches to the study of Indian literatures.
• Foster dialogue among young researchers, creating a network for future research collaborations.

v  The workshop will primarily be conducted in English. However, submissions in any Indian language are highly encouraged, provided an English translation is available.

Target Participants

The workshop is primarily designed for advanced PhD students and early-career researchers working in any area of Indian Literatures. Eligible participants include:

• PhD students who have at least completed their course work and working on Indian literatures/using Indian literatures as primary material in their research.
• Researchers who have completed their PhD within the last four years, are currently engaged in research or teaching at an Indian university, and are planning to develop publications around contemporary Indian literatures.
• Independent scholars who have completed their PhD within the last seven years, have a research project in mind pertaining to Indian literatures, and are planning to publish or apply for national or international research grants.
• Recently passed out/enrolled MA (final year) students planning to develop a research proposal on Indian literatures.

Key Themes

The workshop will focus on, but not be limited to, the following broader themes:

• Impact of global literatures on contemporary Indian literatures and vice versa
• Indian literatures and Aesthetics
• Poetics of the spiritual and spiritualism in contemporary Indian literatures
• Contemporary themes/concerns in Indian folk literatures
• Environmental Consciousness in contemporary Indian literatures
• Rewriting and Retelling in contemporary Indian literatures
• Contemporary Indian literatures in translation/English translation
• Identity, Marginality, and Representation in contemporary Indian literatures
• Indian literatures and literary theory
• The publishing ecosystem in/around Indian literatures
• Impact of AI and other Technological Interventions in contemporary Indian literatures

What the workshop will offer

• Selected scholars will present their work, followed by engaged discussions and feedback.
• Keynote Lectures by renowned academics and authors who will share insights on contemporary trends in Indian literatures.
• Q&A sessions to facilitate meaningful interactions among participants.

Expected Outcomes

The workshop aims to:

• Enhance understanding of contemporary trends in Indian literatures.
• Encourage young researchers to adopt innovative approaches and methodologies.
• Build a collaborative network of scholars across institutions and linguistic boundaries.
• Publication of selected papers in cutting edge research journal/anthology. The modalities of which will be decided after looking at the quality of papers and in consultation with the resource persons and participants.  

Mode of Selection

Researchers from the categories mentioned above and aligning to the key themes of the workshop are encouraged to apply using the following link: http://bit.ly/3W0BO3r  Completed application forms must be accompanied by a 500-word research statement and submitted by January 19, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by January 20, 2025.

Selected participants are required to submit a working draft of their full papers by February 22, 2025. This submission is mandatory, as receiving critical feedback is a key focus of the research workshop. Therefore, only those fully prepared to commit to this requirement should apply.

Registration fee and other logistics

After the selection, the shortlisted participants have to pay the following registration fee to confirm participation:

Teacher participants: Rs. 3000/-

PhD Scholars: Rs. 2000/-

Postgraduate Students: Rs. 1500/-    

The registration fee covers only the conference kit, working lunch, and tea with light refreshments on all workshop days. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation in Varanasi. However, upon request, the organizers can assist in arranging subsidized shared accommodations on the BHU campus or in nearby areas.

Confirmed Plenary Speakers for the Workshop:

Chandrahas Choudhury: Novelist and Travel Writer [Independent]

Prashant Bagad: Writer and literary critic [IIT Kanpur]  

Anuj Lugun: Indian Poet and Writer, Sahitya Academy Yuva Puraskar 2019 [Central University of South Bihar]

Basudhara Roy: Poet and literary critic [Karim City College affiliated to Kolhan University]

Annie R. Royson: Academic and Translation Critic [Former Fellow, Harvard University & Pandit Deendayal Energy University]

G Joshua: Literary Translator and Critic

Gautam Choubey: Novelist and Literary Translator [University of Delhi]

Lalit Kumar: Literary Translator and Critic [University of Delhi]

Padamja Anant: Literary Translator and Senior Vice-President, Publishing (Humanities) at Orient BlackSwan

Tariq Khan: Editor: Translation Today, National Translation Mission, Mysuru

Note: The current list is just a starting point, with more notable names to be confirmed soon. BHU, known for its rich tradition in Indian literatures, is home to many respected scholars and writers. The organizers are working to bring these experts on board, promising an engaging and valuable experience for everyone attending the workshop.