IIAS inaugurates two-day National Seminar on Modern Hindi Literature and Bhartiyata
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla inaugurated its two-day National Seminar on “Modern Hindi Literature and Bhartiyata” this morning at the Institute’s Seminar Hall. The inaugural began by welcome and theme remarks by the Convener, Dr. Manoj Pandey. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Chitranjan Mishra (former Head, Department of Hindi, DDU Gorakhpur University), with Prof. Soma Bandopadhyay (Vice-Chancellor, West Bengal University of Teachers’ Training, Education Planning and Administration) presiding. Mr. Mehr Chand Negi, Secretary, IIAS, proposed a vote of thanks.
The seminar explores how notions of Bhartiyata (Indianness) are articulated across modern Hindi literature—conceptually, culturally and socially. As outlined in the concept note, it foregrounds the cultural interlinkages across Indian languages, the affective unity of the Indian psyche, and the many registers of national-cultural consciousness. Key aims include identifying elements that nurture Indian identity, evaluating the voices of Bharat-bodh, and locating an Indian life-perspective within modern literary thought.
Day 1 (3 Sept): Three academic sessions follow the inaugural. Session I (Chair: Prof. Girishwar Mishra) features Prof. Vijay Kumar Rode and Prof. Akhilesh Shankhdhar. Session II (Chair: Prof. Alok Gupta) includes Prof. Sarvesh Singh and Prof. Veerpal Singh Yadav. Session III (Chair: Prof. Shiv Prasad Shukla) features Prof. Vijay Kumar Pradhan, Dr. Girja Shankar Gautam and Dr. Rampravesh Rajak. Topics range from cultural apprehensions of Indian-ness to modernity, language and nationhood in literature.
Day 2 (4 Sept): Session IV (Chair: Prof. Soma Bandopadhyay) features Prof. Rajesh Kumar Garg and Dr. Sunil Kumar ‘Manas’; Session V (Chair: Prof. Brijendra Pandey) features Dr. Manoj Kumar Rai and Dr. Prafull Kumar; Session VI (Chair: Prof. Vinod Mishra) features Dr. Vinamra Sen Singh, Dr. Anurag Tripathi and Dr. Aparna Dixit.
The Valedictory Session will be held on 4 September in the evening, presided over by Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS; Prof. Ambikadatta Sharma will deliver the valedictory address, and Dr. Manoj Pandey will present the seminar report.
The seminar’s sub-themes include the concept of Bhartiyata, the idea of modernity, registers of national consciousness, social uplift, and Bharat-bodh in literature—aimed at deepening scholarly understanding of Indian values and national identity in modern Hindi literary discourse.
