Call for Papers

Alam Khundmiri Foundation (AKF) and Research Scholars Forum (RSF)

The English and Foreign Languages University Campus, Tarnaka,
Hyderabad-500605

A Two-Day National Seminar on June 29 & 30, 2012

Contemporary Ways and Voices of Resistance/Resilience

Note on the theme of the Seminar
Terms such as resistance and revolution have a history that is as old as the stories of our
civilizations. However what were once used in history to note wars, conflicts and change of
power, have now obtained broader scope and relevance. With Marx observing history as a
struggle and crying for a change, a new system of thought began. A series of thinkers like
Antonio Gramsci, Althusser and others then contributed to voices of dissent in various ways. In
the recent past, we have witnessed multiple and multifaceted ways of resistance not just from the
academia and intellectual circles but from various other walks of life too. The voices of
resistance have mainly been for representation and liberation among other things. Aimed against
the established hegemonic structures, various movements and revolutions have come to the fore
across the globe. The Tunisian experience inspired the protestors in overthrowing totalitarian
regimes across the Middle East, most notably in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. North America
saw the eruption of similar acts of resistance in their own backyards, from the centre of Madrid
of Spain to the Occupy Wall Street movements of America, Canada, and the UK.
India has always been one of the most vibrant nations in terms of witnessing such acts of
resistance. The recent past has provided a seminal boost to the same. In the Indian context, many
regional movements against the Nation and the State and its repressive mechanisms are actively
coming from numerous oppressed groups. It is interesting to observe the spatial realms through
which such voices of dissent are emerging. Virtual space has emerged as a new terrain of
contestations, the scope and power of which has been realized by both the parties. On the one
hand many of the ongoing movements have triggered and fuelled political activism and social
engagement among the masses in the real world using this network. The authorities, in contrast,
having realized the potential of such awakening, want to censor the social media. This has
become the common feature of all states world over including the democratic India.
At this juncture, it is pertinent to discuss the rights of the people on social, political and
individual issues ranging from politics of exclusion, civil liberties and state violence, sexual
orientation and debates on body etcetera. The role of civil and political societies in such spaces
and in the construction of different ideologies and their participation in the power politics along
with its contribution to populism can be seen from the recent history.
Among other things, within the context of protests and occupations in the UK, USA, India and
worldwide an otherwise ignored space like the street appears to have become once more the
space where people gather to be heard and counted. The notions of street as a site and object of
subversive tool incorporating graffiti, fashion, skateboarding, hip-hop and a more critical and
engaged examination of processes of exclusion, confrontation and violence which constitute the
everyday reality of life in and on the street assume significance. Instead of viewing resistance
and movements as performance or an event, the assumption of the everyday as a process and a
site of struggle makes it inclusive and easy to associate oneself.
This spirit of resistance is not limited to select issues. Ranging from the critique and questioning
of canons coming from the post colonial consciousness, the emergence of debates around region
and nation, communities and state policies to the individual in the society, sexuality and
law/Legality, the artist and censorship, all are seminal and vital. It would be interesting to view
the aforesaid movements as a whole rather than as individual cases of aberration.
We see the pressure to develop a new set of conceptual tools with which we can
understand, archive, and articulate such acts of resistance.
This seminar aims to discuss, challenge, and reveal new theoretical and artistic
perspectives on both revolution and recovery in the aftermath of movements.
This interdisciplinary seminar aims to promote collaborative work between academics,
activists, and the non-profit community.
We invite papers to be presented in the seminar from a range of disciplines (including but not
restricted to History, Sociology, Geography, Literary studies, Cultural studies, Social exclusion
studies, Gender Studies, Media Studies, Film Studies, Arts, Philosophy, Performing Arts,
Political Science, Translation Studies, Development Studies) on any topic pertaining to the above
concerns.
Procedure:

Please send an abstract of about 200-250 words along with a brief bio-data to
to rsfseminar2012@gmail.comby the 25
th
of March, 2012. We hope to respond by 10
th
of
April, 2012.


Around 16 abstracts will be selected by the Peer Review Committee. Those selected will have
to send their papers by the 15
th
of June 2012, in order to facilitate the expert respondents to read
the papers and provide the feedback. The time-limit for each paper would be approximately 20
minutes.

1. Conference Location: The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

2. All papers are required to be written and presented in English.

3. Send the abstract by e-mail to rsfseminar2012@gmail.com with a subject line stating Submission
for the National Seminar.

4. Important Dates:
Due date for abstract submission: March 25, 2012
Notification of abstract acceptance: April 10, 2012
Due date for full paper submission: J une 15, 2012

5. Contact Information: rsfeflu@gmail.com, rsfseminar2012@gmail.com
Phone Number:- +91-96526 06910 (Rajkumar Eligedi, Phd Scholar)


6. Conveners : Dr. J ayanti Alam, Alam Khundmiri Foundation
Rajkumar Eligedi, Phd Scholar, RSF
Twinkle Dasari, Phd Scholar, RSF
Shrikanth.B.R, M.Phil Scholar, RSF (email- chalukya.shri@gmail.com)

Format to submit the abstracts

Name:
Institutional Affiliation/ Independent Researcher:
Research details:
Email address:
Phone number:
Title of the paper:
Abstract:
Participation details: Local hospitality will be provided to out-station participants in the hostel
or the guest-house (depending on the availability). Travel expenses could be reimbursed to the
extent of sleeper-class railway fare for outstation participants. Food on the seminar days will be
arranged to all presenters.
We look forward to your participation. For further queries contact: rsfseminar2012@gmail.com,
rsfeflu@gmail.com.