Seminar on ‘Ramkatha’ concludes at SDM Govt PG College
By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 25 Jul: Ramkatha has been told and retold over the centuries in different forms, defying geographical and cultural boundaries and has not lost its charm and relevance. Speakers at a two-day national seminar on ‘Social Energy Inherent in Ramkatha and Its Visual Representations’ held on 23-24 July at Shaheed Durga Mall Government PG College, Doiwala, expressed their views on various aspects of the Ramkatha.
On the first day of the Seminar, College Principal Dr DC Nainwal welcomed the guests. Convener of the Seminar Dr Pallavi Mishra presented its theme.
In the inaugural session, Chief Guest Brij Bhushan Gairola, Doiwala MLA, said that Ramkatha has influenced humankind from time immemorial.
Vice Chancellor of Doon University, Professor Surekha Dangwal emphasised that Ramkatha is a limitless ocean, that cannot be constrained by the boundaries of western literary theories.
The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Krishna Mohan Pandey of BHU.
Professor DR Puohit focused on the Ramkatha traditions prevalent in the Garhwal hills and the variants that occur with the change of place.
Dr Rakhi Panchola conducted the session.
Professor Sarda Srinivasan, in her online presentation, spoke about the bronze statues of the Chola and Vijaynagar Kingdoms. These show how the communicative plane the existence of art has provided for the basis for its modern semiotic interpretation as a sign system carrying certain information and specific channel of communication. It serves to socialise the individual experience of relationships and encourages the individual assimilation of collective experience.
On the second day, Convenor of the Seminar Dr Pallavi Mishra presented the report on the first day’s proceedings.
Prof Heeraman Tiwari (JNU) said that the very existence of India is built around the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharat.
Prof SK Dwivedi (BHU) elaborated on the development of Ramakatha in the historical perspective of the Ramayana, Uttararamacharit, Ramacharitmanas and other texts.
Dr Rahul Chaturvedi (BHU) focused his talk on ‘Ram Ki Shakti Pooja’. Dr DP Singh said that visual representation of Ramakatha has a prominent role to spread the story among the masses in the form of Ramlila.
The Chief Guest on second day was Prof KN Jena, Vice Chancellor of Sparsh Himalayiya University.
Dy Secretary, Higher Education, Vyomkesh Dubey attended the second session and expressed his views.
In the valedictory session, Principal Dr DC Nainwal said that the strength of Ram comes from the high moral values that he fought for all his life.
Convenor Dr Pallavi Mishra proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Rakhi Panchola conducted the session.
