Date: 17 June 2016  

Time: 12 pm

Venue: Block 4, Auditorium

Resource Person: Ms Shobha Narayan (Writer and journalist)

The Department of English had the Orientation to the English Studies (EST) papers and the inauguration of the English Student Association – ‘The Literati’ on 17 June 2016. This initiation was for the freshmen of all courses that offered an English major, to give them a peek into the plethora of literatures they would be introduced to, and the various opportunities offered by ‘The Literati’.

The Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. John Joseph Kennedy, the Head, Department of English, Dr. Abhaya N.B. and Dr. Sushma V. Murthy, coordinator of the EST program were the dignitaries that graced the occasion, while the Chief Guest was the award-winning writer Ms Shoba Narayan who is a journalist / columnist, freelancer and the author of two books-Monsoon Diary: A Memoir with Recipes and Return to India.

The Dean, Dr. John Joseph Kennedy, in his address, touched upon the array of opportunities that are up for grabs to all Christites, particularly from the Deanery of Humanities and Social Sciences, and exhorted the freshmen to not let these prospects slip through their fingers.

The Chief Guest, Ms Shoba Narayan, spoke at length about the power of literature, and how far one has already come if one is an English major student. Ms. Shoba Narayan also spoke about why one should read, what kind of books one should read, and the elevated thinking one attains by simply reading page after page until the words run out. She also stressed on how reading subsequently improves writing, and urged everyone to immediately set up a blog. Simply put, her discourse clarified the adage “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Dr. Sushma V. Murthy then spoke about the different kinds of literature which the students would be exposed to - right from British and American Literatures to Literary Theory, World and Post-Colonial Literatures. She also introduced the English faculty to the students, cheerily highlighting the USPs of each teacher.

Three alumni of the various courses that offered an English major were called upon to narrate their experiences. Teachers, theatre professionals and corporate professionals agreed that there is no sphere of life that remains untouched by art, and literature is undeniably, art.

The crowning moment was the announcement of the core team members of ‘The Literati’ for the academic year 2016 - 2017. Seven members proudly bore their badge of honour as they were now at the helm of the literary affairs.

By the end of these powerful dialogues, the newly-inducted Christites understood what Charles Bukowski meant when he said “Without literature, life is hell.”

Report by - Namrata Menon (II CEP)