Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi organises International Conference that Explores the Journey of Indian Languages and Folklores from Heritage to Horizon

The two-day academic event brought together eminent scholars, academicians, researchers, and paper presenters from India and abroad, creating a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on Indian languages, folk traditions, and their contemporary relevance.

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: An International Conference on the theme “From Heritage to Horizon: Indian Languages and Folklores” was successfully organised by the Department of English and IQAC, Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi, in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

The two-day academic event brought together eminent scholars, academicians, researchers, and paper presenters from India and abroad, creating a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on Indian languages, folk traditions, and their contemporary relevance.

Overall, it emerged as a significant academic initiative, reinforcing the relevance of Indian languages and folk traditions in contemporary scholarship. The conference not only celebrated India’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity but also charted new horizons for research, pedagogy, and cross-cultural collaboration in the humanities.

The conference commenced with the inaugural session setting an intellectually engaging tone for the proceedings. Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Rabi Narayan Kar, Principal, Shyam Lal College, emphasised the importance of reclaiming and recontextualising India’s rich linguistic and folkloric heritage within academic spaces. He highlighted the responsibility of higher education institutions in nurturing multilingual and multicultural sensibilities among students and scholars. Following this, Prof. Kusha Tiwari, Director, IQAC, and Teacher-in-Charge, Department of English, introduced the central theme of the conference, underlining its relevance in bridging tradition with modern academic and cultural discourses. She noted that Indian languages and folklores are not static relics of the past but living traditions that continue to evolve and inform contemporary thought.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including the Guest of Honour, Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi, who delivered the Presidential Address, and the Chief Guest, Prof. K. G. Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre. The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Nandini Sahu, Vice-Chancellor, Hindi University, West Bengal, who offered a nuanced perspective on the role of Indian languages and folklores in shaping cultural consciousness and knowledge systems in a globalised world. This was followed by the launch of the Book of Abstracts.

The inaugural session concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks by the Conference Convenor, Dr. Rohit Jahari, who acknowledged the encouragement expressed in print in the Book of Abstracts, through the letters written by Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and other eminent personalities including, Chairperson – NCST, Shri Antar Singh Arya, Vice Chancellors of DU, JNU, EFLU-Hyderabad, and Hindi University, West Bengal. He appreciated the efforts made by the invited speakers for travelling to the college to enrich the deliberations of the conference with their scholarly insights on the topic. He acknowledged the support of Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (Ministry of Education, GoI), the college administration, and all speakers, participants, and organising committee members for their contributions to the successful organisation of the conference.

The academic deliberations continued with Plenary Session I on the first day, chaired by Dr. Keijo Varis, Professor of Practice, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland. The session featured insightful addresses by Prof. Prakash Joshi (University of Allahabad), Dr. Tikaram Poudel (Kathmandu University, Nepal), and Dr. Wisuttichai Chaiyasit (Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Chiang Mai Campus, Thailand), who offered comparative and cross-cultural perspectives on language, folklore, pedagogy, and cultural transmission. The speakers highlighted the intersections of oral traditions, literary studies, and education, stressing the need for collaborative international scholarship in the humanities.

Following the plenary session, the conference moved into four concurrent technical sessions, conducted in both online and offline modes, allowing wide participation from scholars across the globe. Researchers presented papers on diverse themes such as local narratives, translation studies, folk performances, linguistic diversity, cultural memory, and the pedagogical implications of teaching Indian languages and folk traditions in contemporary classrooms. The technical sessions facilitated rigorous academic exchange and lively discussions, reflecting the interdisciplinary and international character of the conference.

The second day of the conference began with Plenary Session II, chaired by Dr. Tikaram Poudel. The invited speakers included Dr. Amrita Satapathy (IIT Bhubaneswar), Dr. Atrayee Saha (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi), and Dr. Wisuttichai Chaiyasit. The speakers addressed issues related to language, identity, digital mediation of folklore, and the challenges and possibilities of preserving linguistic diversity in the contemporary era. Their presentations underscored the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation in the study of languages and folk cultures.

This was followed by Plenary Session III chaired by Dr. Wisuttichai Chaiyasit. The session featured eminent scholars such as Prof. Ni Ni Hlaing, former Head of the Department of English, Mandalay University of Distance Education, Myanmar, Prof. Braj Mohan (Department of Education in Languages, NCERT), and Dr. Charu Arya (Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi). The speakers shared valuable insights on language education policies, folklore in pedagogy, and the role of cultural narratives in shaping inclusive and holistic educational frameworks.

After the plenary sessions, the conference once again moved into four concurrent technical sessions, held in hybrid mode. These sessions provided an inclusive platform for scholars, young researchers, and students to present their work, fostering meaningful academic engagement and networking across national and international boundaries.

The valedictory session began marking the formal conclusion of the conference. The Chief Guest of the valedictory session, Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor, English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, delivered the Valedictory Address, in which he reflected on the significance of sustained academic dialogues on Indian languages and folk traditions. He emphasised the need for continued research, documentation, and pedagogical innovation to ensure that India’s linguistic and cultural heritage remains vibrant and relevant in the future.

The conference summary was presented by the Convenor, Dr. Rohit Jahari, who highlighted the key themes, discussions, and outcomes of the two-day event. Prof. Kusha Tiwari delivered the welcome address for the valedictory session, while Prof. Rabi Narayan Kar, Principal, addressed the gathering, reiterating the importance of such national and international forums in enriching academic discourse and fostering cultural understanding. The session concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Dr. Kaushiki Shukla, Conference Co-Convenor, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, participants, organisers, and volunteers for their valuable contributions.