Date: 17 June 2016        

Time: 2 to 4pm     

Venue: Room No. 911, Central Block

Attended by: Students of 1MENG and 3MENG
Moderator: Krishna, 1MENG

The second Scholars’ Forum of the academic year, 2016 – 2017, comprised a paper presentation and a knowledge sharing session.

The Paper titled “Gender differences and Breaking Stereotypes in Contemporary Indian Television Advertising and Marketing Responses”, co-authored by Amrita and Nidhi from II MA English, discussed the issues of gender stereotypes in popular advertisements, product placement and product colour in shopping malls of the city. Aditya and Nivetha from I MA English, responded to the presentation. It was followed by an engaging debate with the discerning audience.

The knowledge sharing session was conducted by Pratiksha and Sajitha from I MA English on ‘Cryptography’.  Pratiksha gave an introduction after which Sajitha conducted an activity on decrypting cryptography in crosswords.

The forum was dispersed after a feedback by Dr. Arya, the coordinator of MA English with Communication studies.

       

  

 

            Scholar’s Forum is an academic platform, initiated by the MA in English with Communication Studies students. The primary objective is to promote academics through active interactions and healthy discussions. Here various aspects of literature and cultural studies will be discussed through academic points of view. The prime objective of this forum is to inculcate the power of critical thinking of “the Self, the Society and the Imagined”. Every week this Forum focuses on different topics of literature and cultural studies through presentations and discussions and prepares students for the challenges of academic world. Occasionally, guest speakers are invited to deliver lectures as well.

On 10 June 2016, students of MA Eng with Communication Studies gathered at the Panel room, Block II for the inauguration of Scholars Forum. Inauguration was by the Registrar, Dr Anil Joseph Pinto. He expounded on how we design our growth by our choices in life and declared the forum open.

The Head of English department, Dr Abhaya spoke on how research for everyone should be as much a part of our lives as that of other activities. Following which, the 2^nd year Class Representative Rony George gave the vote of thanks.

The first part of the forum was taken by Professor Arul Gaspar, who gave us an enriching introduction to the MOOC courses that we will have to complete in our academic tenure. We had an engaging time clearing our doubts of the task up ahead.

The next part of the session was a lively session of ice breaking to get to know the juniors. There was a rib-tickling session of the game Bait and Tackle that left the audience in stitches. Our Student Council Representative Ragesree Roy then addressed the juniors on how to adjust to their new lives in the college space. The forum came to an end with a graceful welcome dance to the juniors from a group of 2^nd year girls.

     

  

 

Venue: 911, Central block

Time: 2- 4 pm

            On 24 June 2016 Dr .N. Krishnaswamy former professor of EFLU, was invited. Ragesree Roy of second MA English introduced the guest to the department and the audience. The guest was formally welcomed by Dr John Joseph Kennedy, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. After the welcome, Dr John Joseph Kennedy was requested to speak a few words about the speaker.

Later Dr N. Krishnaswamy, spoke about the various concepts of contemporary literary theory and criticism, its history, emerging trajectories and ever evolving nature. The lecture was very informative oriented but presented in the simplest manner to the students. Later, some students posed a few questions which he answered with enthused attitude. At the end of the session students were given opportunity to go through the books written by Dr .N. Krishnaswamy, and many students appreciated the authorship of Dr .N. Krishnaswamy.

     

     

 

Date: 01/07/2016  

Venue: Panel Room, Block II

Moderator: Aditya Pandit, 1MENG

The day’s forum commenced with a knowledge sharing session conducted by SambhaviSudhakar and R Dhanya (BA Honors) on ‘National History, Identity and Diaspora in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner’. They discussed briefly about the historical context of the novel, its diasporic overtones, identity of Afghan immigrants in a post 9/11 scenario, doctrines of Taliban, condition of women etc.

It was followed by a short film screening, conceived by Aravind Deepak (1MENG), titledAtomiki, a bold dystopian expressionism.

Clockwise: 1) Dhanya’s PPT on screen; 2) Aditya, moderator; 3) Sambhavi speaks; 4) rapt audience; 5) Dhanya speaks; 6) Aravind speaks.

 

Fifth week Scholars’ Forum

Theme: “Playback Theatre – An Aid to Facilitate Better Communication”

Guest Speaker: P. Rajesh

Venue: Sky view, 10^th floor, Central Block

Date: 15/07/2016

Time: 2:00 pm

                     The fifth Scholars’ Forum constituted an activity session based on Playback theatre. Theatre specialist P.Rajesh was the guest speaker while Ashvarya Sinha from II MA Englishwas emcee for the day.

Mr. Rajesh conducted activities that demonstrated the immersive experience of Playback theatre and its participatory and cathartic nature. The audience enjoyed the experience and many were pro-active in showing their skills.

The session was concluded by a Vote of Thanks by Alice Juliet, from II MA English. FatemaDiwan, from II MA English, presented a token of gratitude to the chief guest. MA English Coordinator, Dr. Arya Aiyappan monitored the session.

     

     

Report – Guest Lecture on ‘Theatre Space & Practice’

Date: 18 July 2016                        Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Venue: Room No. 105, Central Block

Resource person: Dr. Deepan Sivaraman (Associate Professor, Ambedkar University, Delhi)

Renowned director, scenographer, dramaturge and academic in the field of Theatre Studies, Dr. Deepan Sivaraman, conducted a guest lecture for the students of MENG and TCE on the nexus betweenperformancespace and spectatorship in Post-Dramatic theatre. He introduced the concept of scenography i.e. the visual language of theatre, for experimenting with performance space. It aims to reclaim the aliveness of theatre as a medium and hybrid art form inculcating elements of literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance, puppetry, installation art etc. This trend also allows re-imagination of original literary creations while adapting to the form of theatre.

    Proving that he is a man who walks his talk, Dr. Sivaraman showed few videos to explain the language of scenography – from excerpts of Italian theatre director Romeo Castellucci’s ‘Hey Girl’ to trailers of his own Oxygen Theatre Company productions like ‘Peer Gynt’, ‘Ubu Roi’, ‘It’s Cold in Here’, ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ and ‘The Legends of Khasak’.

    He also answered curious enquiries of the audience regarding the complexity of his theatrical narratives, which is consciously undertaken after considering the mature intelligence of his spectators, to engage with their mind.

    The Welcome Address was given by Roohi Rachel of 3MENG while Yashasvi Maadesh, 3MENG gave a token of appreciation to Dr. Sivaraman.