International conference on “Configuring the Common Man: Trends and Perspectives in Contemporary Indian Literature” 6th and 7th January 2016 at Amrita University,

Concept Note

India as a fast progressing nation is undergoing massive changes in social, economic and political arenas. And in these times of transition, we find a paradigm shift in the literary scene, where it appears that we have lost the soul and spirit of a common man. In contemporary , writing in English shows more affin- ity towards either the affluent and the elite or the downtrodden and the vulgar, keeping in the tradition of considering India as a nation of extreme polarities. The huge crux of normal average middle class Indians and their lives are largely ignored. A question arises as to why this is so? Is it because the average common man cannot be imagined as a hero or an antihero? Is it because there are no intrigues in the life of a com- mon man or writing about him/ her does not conform to the fashion of the times? Why is it that only ‘the rich, bold and beautiful’ on the one hand and ‘slum dogs’ on the other considered fit for portrayal? Is the ‘common man’ conceived by R.K Narayan and so clearly and humanely depicted by R.K Laxaman still alive in the pages of Indian writing or has ‘he’ already become a myth?

The general avoidance and apathy surrounding this issue calls for serious deliberations. In a solemn brainstorming session in the department of English, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, it was strongly felt that since literary studies affect societies and is a magnanimous tool that can bring about tremendous change and transformation, literary experts must convene on a common platform and dis- cuss on the fading out and gradual disappearance of common man in Indian Writing in English. In this context it is relevant to assess Raymond William’s view of “culture as a productive process” as is explicit in his deliberations on cultural materialism. We must also analyze whether our writing in English today carries the scent of the Indian soil as it did in ‘Malgudi’ and ‘Kanthapura’. Is writing in English language truly pan-Indian? Why is it that the common man’s mind is shaped by the idee-fixes? Can the common man bridge the cross-cultural divide? Are the vain glorious ‘Babus’ and vulnerable ‘Subhas’ of Tagore still living? Why has the simple rustic Indian landscape vanished? Is it because they don’t exist anymore or have we weaned ourselves from an agricultural nation altogether? Do we only have ‘skyscraper- scapes’ and ‘slum- scapes’? It is evident that post colonial discourses do involve discussions on certain aspects like colonial legacy and native ideologies which could provide hints and cues to the questions posted. The scope of study can also include depictions of common man in contemporary films.

The questions are important for our future generations because we need to find out why the average Indian of yesteryears, who was naïve and innocent, has become full of deceit and guile? Why is it that we still hold our stakes of comparison vis-à-vis the west? The colonial legacy of fascination for the foren still wields its fancy. Is it perhaps the reason that the diaspora writers are more prominently seen in our literary landscape?

The spate of questions that haunts us demands the academicians and scholars to study this largely over- looked area and arrive at a meaningful discourse. A two day International Conference is planned to be conducted between 6th and 7th January 2016 in our Coimbatore campus. This debate will open up a new arena of thinking where the scholars can adopt different perspectives on the theme and mould their thinking on various lines. Call for papers We invite abstracts and full papers on the above topic including the following sub themes:

1. Celebrating ‘Indianness’ 2. The urban- rural divide in contemporary Indian writing 3. Common man in cyber space 4. Homelands and Hinterlands in Indian writing 5. ‘ The Indian’ in foreign authors 6. India in ‘Bhasha’ literatures 7. Indian and the Diaspora 8. The incredible imbroglio of Indian idée-fixes 9. The eclectic Indian 10. Common man in Indian films

Note: • Submissions are to be in English with primary source in any of the following areas: Indian writing in English, Indian Diaspora writing and English translations from bhasha literatures etc. • The papers must be in English and should cover literature from 1980s to the present.

Guidelines for submission Abstract: Around 300 words with maximum five key words. Full paper: Not exceeding 3000-3500 words. MLA Seventh edition style should be followed.

The papers should be sent in MS Word format to the following email id: [email protected] (or) [email protected]

Proceedings will be published and the select works will be included in a book, to be published later.

The authors whose papers are selected to be published as chapters in a book shall pay an amount of Rs. 1000/- separately at a later date. About the locale Our campus is located at Ettimadai (also known as Amrita Nagar), a suburb of Coimbatore in the state of , India. Ettimadai is located between Coimbatore city and on the NH47 and is approximately 21 km from Coimbatore city centre and 34 km from Palakkad. Located along the foot hills of the Western Ghats, Ettima- dai is well- known for its scenic beauty.

All passenger trains running between Coimbatore Junction and Palakkad (via Podanur Junction) stop at Ettimadai station. The campus is at a walkable distance from the station. Autos are also available.

Coimbatore is the nearest airport which is approximately 35 km from the campus.

Ettimadai is connected to other places of the city by the following bus routes: • S2 - Uppilipalayam bus terminal to K.G. Chavadi (via Ettimadai) • 3G - Ganapathy to K.G. Chavadi (via Ettimadai) • 48 - Gandhipuram bus terminal to Velanthaavalam(via Ettimadai) • 96 - Gandhipuram bus terminal to Walayar (via Ettimadai) • A3 – Coimbatore railway station to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (via Town Hall)

Passengers to Amrita (except those travelling by A3) have to alight at Ettimadai stop on the National Highway (NH 47) from where autos will be available to reach the campus.