AUH to host 2-day international seminar ‘Ramayana in the Contemporary Context: Science, Culture and Art’
NEW DELHI. Amity University Haryana (AUH), Amity School of Liberal Arts, is organizing an international seminar “Ramayana in the Contemporary Context: Science, Culture and Art” in collaboration with the Ayodhya Research Institute, Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh on October 10-11.
The objectives of the seminar is to develop an interest in Indian values, culture & traditions among students and staff, to understand Ramayana in the contemporary context and to analyze its relevance today, enhance the awareness of the participants, and contribute to their intellectual growth and holistic development and to generate understanding among participants on the various versions of Ramkatha and its effect on family relations.
The omnipresence of Ramayana legend in language, art, culture, literature, ethics, festivals, ceremonies, and folk tradition gives it a place not only in India but in many countries of the world, especially in Southeast Asian countries like- Thailand, Java, Sumatra, Burma, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The impact of Ramayana is far and wide and is felt all around the globe.
As Prof. (Dr.) PB Sharma, the Vice-Chancellor, AUH, the Ramayana is not just an epic but a powerful vehicle of ethical and moral rejuvenation and has its universal appeal for truthfulness, righteousness, good governance, the wellbeing of society and human values of compassion and affinity (Atmiyata).
“It is also well known to have depicted the duties of relationships, portraying “ideal” characters such as the ideal father, the ideal servant, the ideal brother, the ideal husband and the ideal king. The Ramayana had an important influence on Sanskrit poetry as well as on Indian culture. Further, the Ramayana is not just a story but presents the teachings of ancient Indian wisdom which are deeply rooted in the consciousness of the people. However, with the coming generations, certain questions add up to the legacy of this tale which needs to be discussed, debated and talked about, “said eminent academician Prof. Sharma.
The deliberation at the seminar shall provide the audience with the opportunity to look at Ramayana with a new, unbiased, multi-dimensional, contemporary and more relevant perspective.
“It will pave the way for enhancing the importance of its connect to the modern times, to align the knowledge society to the clarion calls of personal integrity, work ethics and professional morality that have emerged as non-negotiable today. The proposed International Seminar intends to discuss and deliberate these issues and, thus, revisit the Ramayana to explore its more profound meaning and intent to revitalize in society and the governing principles in a democracy like India,” said Prof. Sharma.
The 2-day seminar is meant to bring together a cross-section of educationists, teachers, researchers, educational planners and administrators, academicians as well as students who shall share the concern and the love for Ramkatha.
“The seminar will be addressed by eminent scholars including Akhilesh Mishra, Director General, Indian Council for Culture Relations (ICCR), Dr. Yogendra Pratap Singh, Director, Ayodhya Research Institute, Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Saroj Bala, Director, Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE), Gurugram, Prof. Shashibala, Dean, Centre for Indology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, Prof Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof, Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Rachna Bimal, Satyawati College, Delhi University & Free Lance Journalist (Hindi), Prof. S.P. Gautam, Member, M.P. Public Service Commission, Indore, India, Ms. Anita Bose, Artist, Author, & Guide of National Museum , Bangkok, Thailand, Prof. Dipti S. Tripathi, Former Head- Department of Sanskrit , Delhi University & Former Director- National Manuscript Mission, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Dr. E.G.W.P. Gunasena, Dept. of Languages, Cultural Studies and Performing Arts, University of Sri-Jayawardenepura, Gangodawila, Colombo, Sri-Lanka and Ms W.M.A Damayanthi, Faculty, Department of Indian & Asian Dance ,University of the Visual and performing Arts, Colombo, Sri-Lanka,” said Dr. Sanjana Vij, Assistant Professor and Chief Coordinator of the program.
