MELOW
(The Society for the Study of the
Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the World)
CONFERENCE CALL Feb. 2015
DAMN
THE BOOK, GAG THE VOICE: LITERATURE AND CENSORSHIP
We
live in a world where it is impossible to be isolated. As human beings we are
forever in conversation with each other because we need to express our
feelings, communicate, and interact with our fellow creatures. In the process,
as we reach out of our closed cocoons, we strike relationships, some positive,
some reactionary. Some of our overtures boomerang on us in the most unexpected
ways, as negative criticism, hostile reaction, or even official banning or
censorship.
This
is what MELOW seeks to debate at its conference in Chandigarh in February 2015 (exact dates to be announced).
The
uneasy relationship between literature and censorship has always been the
subject of animated discussion between writers, critics, scholars, those who
wield authority and those who suffer it. Underlying the banning and censorship
of literature there is the undeniable logic of hate and fear, the politics of
power, xenophobia, insecurity or simply the desire to dominate. Although the so-called
civilized nations claim to uphold the freedom of expression, they invariably
clamp down when sensitive issues are given a public voice. Censorship operates
in different guises, some obvious others subtle, some socially or politically
or even emotionally motivated.
MELOW 2015 will explore the various issues
connected with literature and censorship. Abstracts of 200 words are invited in
the categories listed below. They should
be sent to the respective panel heads (email ids given) by the 1st of
August 2014.
Panel A: Theoretical considerations: Why do we
censor? Freedom of expression versus the need for censorship. Send abstracts to
Prof Anil Raina aneelraina@gmail.com
Panel B: The forbidden and the Western literary
canon: Ideas that are taboo. Pornography. Deviant sexuality. Send abstracts to
Dr Roshan Sharma. roshanlal.sharma@gmail.com
Panel C: The Forbidden in the non-western
literature. Dr Vandhana Sharma. vandhanasmvdu@gmail.com
Panel D: Religious, Ethical and Moral issues: The
blasphemous. Send abstracts to Dr. Manpreet Kang. roohipannu@yahoo.co.uk
Panel E: Books that were banned or burnt.
Artists who were exiled. Send abstracts to Prof Manju Jaidka.manjujaidka@gmail.com
Panel F: What books would I like my children to
(not) read? What films would I forbid them to see? Send abstracts to Prof.
Sushila Singh. ssushila.04@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment