International Research Confluence
Organised By
SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai In Collaboration with
Research Centre for Women’s Studies (RCWS) SNDT WU, and CERIAS, University of Quebec, Montreal
Venue: Juhu Campus, SNDT WU, Mumbai
27th - 28th February 2024
No. of Participants: 15
Under the esteemed leadership and guidance of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, we, at the SNDT Women's University, advance the viksitbharat@2047 campaign. In line with this initiative, Bharatiya Gyan, Sanskrit evam Yog Kendra (BHAGYASY), in collaboration with the Research Centre for Women’s Studies (RCWS) SNDT WU, and CERIAS, University of Quebec, Montreal, organized an International Research Confluence on February 27-28, 2023. This event unfolded a diverse range of topics and insights from interdisciplinary and intersectional perspectives.
The program marked the second event in the series of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India's pioneering women's studies centre (RCWS), founded in 1974 by the visionary Dr. Neera Desai, affectionately known as Neera Ben. Prof. Ruby Ojha, Director of RCWS, launched the Golden Jubilee Program, ‘RCWS@50 –Celebrating Golden Legacy of Change & Challenge,’ during the 14th Dr. Neera Desai Memorial Lecture on February 15th, 2024.
On the first day, speakers included André Fortino (an affiliated scholar at BHAGYASY) and Lou Villapadierna, both PhD scholars at CERIAS under the Program on Studies & Practice of Art. Dr. Vatsala Shoukla, while welcoming the speakers, introduced the research confluence and emphasized its role in facilitating the exchange of ideas among researchers, students, and faculties on one hand and strengthening the institutional ties between UQAM and SNDTWU on the other. André Fortino focused on the cultural, ritualistic, and artistic dimensions of Theyyam performers in Kerala, providing valuable insights into the Komarams community's role in this unique ritual. Lou Villapadierna explored the symbolic significance of ash in Varanasi, highlighting intersections of caste, untouchability, gender, and the complex functionality of ashes.
On the second day, Marwan Attalah's presentation centered on the Tibetan self-immolation, exploring its historical and political dimensions and providing insights into the socio-cultural-religious context of the Tibetan community. His exploration of self-immolation as a radical strategy employed by Tibetan people to challenge authority and mobilize others added depth to the discussions. Prof. Mathieu Boisvert's investigation into the Sakhī Sampradāya in Northern India explored ascetic communities with a feminine identity to be closer to deities like Kṛṣṇa or Rama, providing unique insights into the web of meaning and practices shaping their collective identity. These sessions were followed by engaging discussions involving students and research scholars from India and Canada. The confluence offered a profound exploration at the intersection of gender within cultural, spiritual, historical, and political dimensions, adding depth to the ongoing Golden Jubilee celebration of RCWS@50. Thank you, Prof. Mathieu and the Team CERIAS.