Concept Note:
Has man drifted away from an Eco-centric to an anthropocentric world, thereby distorting the Dharma of existence? This International Conference, “Ecological and Cultural Cognizance: A Boulevard of Sustainable Amiability,” is an attempt to review, reconstruct and re-harmonise the equation of Nature, Man and Culture — to help chart out a strong path for an organic and sustainable future for man on this planet. When we speak of ‘ecological cognizance’ what is inevitable is the consciousness of our indigenous traditions: the spiritual, religious and cultural. This can help drive towards a future where science, technology and development go hand in hand for ecological sustainability. In academics, ‘eco-criticism’ still has an impression of an entrant, but as a literary movement, its development has been gradual and imperceptible. However, this movement has picked up a rapid pace in the United States, resulting in organisations like Association for the Study of Literature & Environment (ASLE), in 1992.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus & FSLE - India are happy to come together to explore Ecological Cognizance across various fields of study in this International Conference on Ecology & Culture (ICEC). The study of indigenous cultures and oral traditions, as well as reclaiming and preserving these cultures and traditions, provide a starting point towards a possible solution to the ecological crisis of the day. Ecological consciousness could not have been better encapsulated than in the Sanskrit mantra Tat Tvam Asi, which proclaims the age-old awareness of the unity of all things. A verse which reads,
“Dasha-kūpa-samā-vāpī, Dasha vāpī-samo hrada,
Dasha hrada-samah putra, Dasha putra-samo drumah”
(meaning, “a pond equals ten wells; a reservoir, ten ponds. A progeny equals ten reservoirs, and a tree equals ten progenies.), underlines the ecological philosophy in ancient traditions. Nothing in creation is less important, is what every element of myth and landscape, be it the Oriental or the Occidental, the Colonial or any other, cry out. In recent times association of Nature with woman has taken us to various constructs of ‘Deep Ecology’. The Eco-critics too rise to expose the “fissures of Race, Gender and Class” in Environmentalism. The way the world of man is decapitated today, necessitates a paradigm shift in thought process across all individuals, organisations, governments, institutions and nations – all those who are in a position of power to tilt the windmills. Environmental crises of gigantic proportions have been triggered by man. And unless some radical approach is envisaged, it is a matter of time that this blue/green planet gets hurled towards a sure-footed man-made disaster.
Can there be a collective search for paradigms and pathways towards a world that is sustainable, equitable and just? How can such frameworks and visions build on an existing heritage of ideas and world-views and cultures, anchored on practices past or new? How can they be fundamentally different from today’s dominant economic and political systems, which have brought us to the brink of a catastrophic collapse in terms of socio-economic inequalities and despair?
At the crossroads today, we have to decide unerringly on the direction to take if we must have a future on Planet Earth. The leading scientists of our day concede that the key to man’s progress, science and technology, are now a near threat to life on earth itself — some even fear that man is now confronted by a dead-end situation.
The questions arising in the minds of thinking individuals in this context, to list a few, look like:
- Have the Homo Sapiens a future on this planet?
- Is dearth of values the cause of this crisis?
- Is ‘something’ wrong in the methodology and culture of ‘modernity’?
- Have our traditional beliefs taken us astray?
- Will what we condemn as ‘orthodoxy’ has the last laugh?
- What holistic approach and/or philosophical basis can save mankind?
Dear colleagues and friends! Let us find an answer to the crisis that stares us on the face.‘Amrita’ welcomes every one of you with FSLE-India to Her Amritapuri Campus. Your views, conference papers and presence, enlightening presentations, discussions and life-saving solutions can save posterity, and ascertain for them a healthy, happy and meaningful living.Your papers should be largely related but not exclusively limited to the following themes:
Thrust Area
• Literature & Environment
• Pastoral & Wilderness
• Eco-Spirituality
• Orientalism & Nature
• Deep Ecology
• Myth & Landscape
• Oral Traditions
• Sustainable Environmental Models
• Environmental Philosophy
• Environmental Justice
• Literature of the Wild - Representing the Other - Animals in Literature
Abstracts:
Abstracts of not more than 500 words with five key words must be mailed to: conf.fsleindia@gmail.com
➢ The full paper must be within 4000-6000 words. Use the latest MLA style of referencing.
➢ Please use 12 point Times New Roman and avoid footnotes.
➢ Selected Papers will be published in an edited volume with ISBN no. (Not in the form of Conference proceedings instead a complete edited book after the conference).
➢ Authors are requested to attach their bio-note (in third person, not exceeding 100 words) separately.
Deadlines:
Abstract Submission: August 15, 2018
Acceptance Notification: August 25, 2018
Full Paper Submission: October 30, 2018
Final Draft (Considered for the publication-Only for those whose full papers selected): January 10, 2019
Registration details will be provided after the acceptance of Abstracts only to the selected candidates.
Last date of Registration is September 01, 2018
For Further details Contact:
Rishikesh Kumar Singh (Convener)
Email: rishisengar2011@gmail.com
Dr. Beena S. Nair(Convener)
Email: beenasnair@am.amrita.edu
Website:
