Two-day international Multidisciplinary Conference on the Representation of Violence in Literature and Media
On the 30th and 31st of May 2023, I had the privilege of attending several sessions at the two-day international Multidisciplinary Conference on the Representation of Violence in Literature and Media, organized by REVA University in Bengaluru, India. The event was held in collaboration with the School of Arts and Humanities at Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to attend four captivating keynote sessions, which provided valuable insights and expanded my knowledge in various subject areas related to the representation of violence in literature and media.
The first keynote speaker was Professor Bill Ashcroft, Emeritus Professor at the School of English, Media, and Performing Arts at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. His talk, titled "Conflict and Transformation," delved into the concepts of creativity, transformation, and conflict. Professor Ashcroft posed the question, "Will literature change the world?" and emphasized the power of creativity to generate hope and envision a different world “Creativity generates hope. It gives us a vision to see the world differently. Creativity is the stepping beyond and possibility of a different world.”. Another question posed by Professor Ashcroft was, "Can hope be disappointed?" The answer provided was a resounding "Yes." While hope can indeed be disappointed, it remains indomitable, incapable of being completely destroyed. It is within the realm of literature that its true power to resist violence and portray the possibility of a transformed world is unleashed.
Dr. Banibrata Mahanta, Professor at the Department of English at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, delivered an intriguing talk on "Disability & Violence." His presentation explored the representation of disabilities in literature and media. Dr. Mahanta highlighted the importance of recognizing that the understanding of disability is predominantly shaped by non-disabled individuals. He examined the religious associations attributed to disabilities, often linked to the concept of karma. To illustrate his points, Dr. Mahanta shared three examples: Dhritarashtra, a blind king whose blindness is attributed to the circumstances of his conception and a curse; the film "Guzaridh," featuring a disabled male protagonist; and the portrayal of disabilities in print media, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when attention was drawn to the experiences of disabled individuals.
Ms. Alankrita Singh, a former IPS officer and researcher with experience in law enforcement in the United Kingdom, delivered a compelling talk on "Gender and Juvenile Justice." Her presentation shed light on gender-based violence and the challenges faced within the juvenile justice system. Drawing from her own professional experiences, she provided valuable insights into this critical issue.
Dr. Rajkumar, Professor and Former Head of the Department of English at the University of Delhi, New Delhi, delivered a thought-provoking talk titled "Narrating Violence: A Reading of Dalit Novels." His keynote addressed the theme of untouchability, highlighting various examples to underscore the ongoing issue of caste-based violence in society. Despite the existence of the Dalit Atrocity Act, numerous atrocities against Dalits continue to be reported. Dr. Rajkumar outlined several contributing factors, including disparities between the literate and illiterate, the influence of karma theory, fear among the upper class, complexities within the legal system, and economic dependence. He also noted that legal procedures are often costly, time-consuming, and fail to deliver true justice. It is a widely held belief that the law primarily serves the interests of the upper class. Dr. Rajkumar emphasized the pervasive nature of caste in Indian life, permeating literature, culture, country, and even spirituality. “Cast is a fact of Indian Life” “In this country, the air that one breathes, water that one drinks is about cast…. Literature, Culture, Country, God, Devil all have cast”. He highlighted Kalyan Rao's novel, 'Untouchable Spring,' as a remarkable example of this issue.
The final keynote session was presented by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor, Grand Knight Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Three Lions (GKCL), and Director of Outreach at the University of Arizona, USA. His talk, titled "The Horrors of War and Violence as Reflected in Western Literature and Cinema.
This session proved to be immensely fruitful in terms of comprehending the spectrum of human experiences encompassing suffering, triumphs, victories, defeats, and tragedies. It underscored the profound reality that violence has been deeply entrenched within us throughout our enduring history. In essence, human history is intricately intertwined with the pervasive presence of violence.
In a nutshell, the keynote sessions I had the privilege of attending have profoundly enriched my understanding and sparked a multitude of ideas within me. Each session was truly remarkable, captivating, and well worth the time and attention invested. I am immensely grateful to REVA University for affording me the opportunity to engage with these distinguished personalities from around the globe. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the university for organizing such an exceptional event.
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