DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON
CULTURE, LITERATURE, ARTS: AUSTRALIA-INDIA
8th 10th DECEMBER, 2014
Venue: F50, Centenary Building, Chepuak, Chennai-600 005.

Supported By
INDIAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
LITERARY COMMONS! (UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY)
SAHITYA AKADEMI
TAMILNADU STATE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The Madras University is located in Chennai, the capital of the Indian State, Tamilnadu. It is the
mother of almost all the old universities of Southern India. Established in 1969, the Department of
English at the University of Madras, hosts an enviable program in literary studies, with many
international collaborations. The Department introduced a core course on Australian Studies and the
Australia Government sponsored academicians through the Australia-India Council to teach this course.
The Department has also supported the Writer in Residence programme of the Asia Link Unit of
Australia-India Council under which leading Australian writers like Lee Cataldi, Judith Rodriguez, Inez
Baranay, Graeme Miles and Kristy Murray were hosted by the Department.

Theme Note

CULTURE, LITERATURE, ARTS: AUSTRALIA-INDIA

8-10 December, 2014
The contemporary socio-cultural and literary scenario calls for a relocation in the conception and
construction of the terms Culture, Literature and Arts. These do not refer merely to the everyday
experiences and expressions of a particular group but have become resources to be utilized across
nationalities. The prospect of trans-national consumption of cultural, literary and artistic products has
created inquisitiveness for the other, thereby drawing countries and people closer and making national
borders permeable. The recent quest for Australia in India and India in Australia has resulted in not only
building mutual bonds between the two but has opened up further avenues for research in literatures
and cultures. Though Australia and India strike common chords in recognizing their pluralities and
marginalities, distinct traits of richness exist in their cultures, literatures and arts. In both these
postcolonial set-ups, ethnic minorities have been struggling for representation within the canonical
structures of nationality. Today, when minority literatures are moving towards becoming inevitable
components of a nations identity, one needs to take into account the challenges faced by minoritiesthe indigenous and ethnic minorities in Australia; Dalit and Tribal population in India. Local cultures,
literatures and arts are open to the risks of appropriation, commodification and mediation by dominant
cultures when exchanged globally.
In this context, the proposed Conference titled, Culture, Literature, Arts: Australia-India
addresses the commonality and diversity of cultural, literary and artistic experiences in Australia and
India. It throws light on the local, national and global challenges that cultures, literatures and arts of
Australia and India face in the contemporary scenario.
This Conference also focuses on central issues in Australian Indigenous Writings and Dalit
Writings, one of the most radical and political literatures of India today, which shares much in common
with Indigenous Australian writing. It intends to create a platform for fruitful interaction among

Australian and Indian Scholars of both canonical and non-canonical literatures, with the following
subthemes:
Oral & Written Literatures
Indigenous- Dalit/Tribal Methodologies
Culture Studies
Indigenous Epistemology and Knowledge Systems
Dalit Epistemology and Knowledge Systems
Critical Theories
Critical Pedagogies
Performance Studies
Translation Studies
Visual Anthropology
Arts Music; Painting; Dances
Film & Media Culture
Gender Studies
Multiculturalism
Migration & Diaspora
Human Rights & Land Rights

Papers in any of the above or related areas from a comparative perspective for enriching bilateral,
cultural and literary relationships between Australia-India are welcome.
The recent bonding between Australia and India in terms of trade, education and culture necessitates
such a conference which will serve bilateral academic interests and explore the possibilities of
establishing MoUs that will further strengthen the Austral-Indian bonds.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Papers are invited from Academicians Faculty and Research Scholars in the thrust areas of Indian and
Australian cultures, literatures and arts. A focus on Dalit/Indigenous cultures is welcome. Select papers
will be published after a peer-review in LITTCRIT, an internationally renowned journal published from
Trivandrum, Kerala.
Authors information Name, Affiliation and contact details should be mentioned in the paper.
The complete paper should be formatted according to the MLA (7th edition) style and should not exceed
3000 words.
Abstracts and Papers should be mailed to:
claaienglish@gmail.com
Dates To Remember
Last Date for Submission of Abstracts (200 words): 10th November, 2014
Intimation of Selected Abstracts: 15th November, 2014
Last Date for Submission of complete paper & Registration for the Conference: 25th November, 2014
Registration Fees for Participants/ Paper PAPER-PRESENTERS
Students/Research Scholars: INR. 500/Indian Faculty Members: INR. 1000/Foreign Delegates: INR 2000/The payment should be made as Demand Drafts drawn from any nationalized bank in favour of
Professor & Head, Department of English, University of Madras payable at Chennai
Accommodation
Accommodation will be arranged on request and payment from participants
For Further Enquiries Contact:
Dr. S. Armstrong / Ms. Supala Pandiarajan
Ph: 044-25399507/ 9940633434
Email: claaienglish@gmail.com

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON
CULTURE, LITERATURE, ARTS: AUSTRALIA-INDIA
8th 10th DECEMBER, 2014
Venue: F50, Centenary Building, Chepuak, Chennai-600 005.
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON
CULTURE, LITERATURE, ARTS: AUSTRALIA-INDIA
8th 10th DECEMBER, 2014
Organizing Committee
Patron: Prof. R. Thandavan, Vice Chancellor, University of Madras
Co-Patron: Dr. P. David Jawahar, Registrar, University of Madras
Conference Coordinator: Dr. S. Armstrong, Professor & Head, Department of English,
Chair, School of English & Foreign Languages, University of Madras
Coordinating Committee
Dr. R Azhagarasan, Associate Professor of English, University of Madras
Dr. D. Venkataramanan, Assistant Professor of English, University of Madras
Ms. Supala Pandiarajan, Assistant Professor of English, University of Madras

PARTICIPATING INTERNATIONAL WRITERS

Dr. Mridullah Nath Chakraborty, Sydney
Cathie Craigie, Sydney
Jared Thomas, Adelaide
Ellen Van Neerven, Brisbane
Nicole Watson, Sydney