PU: Two-days National Seminar on Literature, Philosophy & Ideology organized in memory of Padma Shri Surjit Patar
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 31, 2025: The two-day national seminar, titled "Literature, Ideology, and Philosophy: Inter-Dialogue," was organized by the School of Punjabi Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh, in collaboration with ICSSR and Punjab Arts Council, in memory of Punjabi’s celebrated poet Padma Shri Surjit Patar Ji.
The inaugural session, held on January 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Seminar Hall of the ICSSR Complex, began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Prof. Yojana Rawat, the Dean of Research at Panjab University, who attended as the chief guest.
Prof. Yog Raj, Head of the Punjabi Department, welcomed the guests and expressed special gratitude to Prof. Upasana Sethi, Honorary Director of ICSSR, and Swarnjit Savi, Chairman of the Punjab Arts Council, for their financial support in organizing the seminar.
Prof. Upasana Sethi introduced the seminar's theme, emphasizing the deep connection between literature, language, and ideology, and the importance of interdisciplinary discourse in the modern era.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Raunki Ram examined the relationship between literature, philosophy, and ideology, drawing from Greek philosophy.
He posed thought-provoking questions about the role of poetry versus philosophy in the quest for knowledge.Eminent Punjabi scholar Amarjit Garewal delivered the keynote address, highlighting critical issues such as climate change, income inequality, and the misuse of technology.
He argued that the solution lies in prioritizing "meaning production" over "material production."
Prof. Yojana Rawat, the chief guest, praised the seminar’s relevance and stressed the importance of continuing such dialogues. She also shared her Hindi translations of Surjit Patar’s poetry.
The session was moderated by Dr. Parmjeet Kaur Sidhu, and concluded with Prof. Sarabjit Singh expressing gratitude to all delegates, researchers, and students for their participation.
The inaugural session effectively set the tone for the following discussions, emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach to literature, philosophy, and ideology.
The seminar included multiple academic sessions on topics such as the philosophical interpretation of Gurmat poetry, ideological perspectives in Punjabi fiction, and philosophical dialogues in contemporary drama.
Scholars presented research papers on Dalit Punjabi poetry, modern lyrical poetry, and the influence of various ideologies on Punjabi literature.A musical evening honoring Surjit Patar’s poetry was held on the first day, with a performance by singer Anujot.
The second day featured additional research papers, including studies on Dalit poetry, philosophical themes in Punjabi drama, and the launch of "Celestial Cascades," an English poetry collection by Rishika Rikhi.
The valedictory session featured a keynote address by Prof. Harjeet Gill, with Prof. Sanjay Kaushik (Dean, College Development Council, P.U. Chandigarh) as the special guest. Prof. Raunki Ram, Dr. Jaspal Singh, and Dr. Satinder Pal shared their reflections on the seminar's discussions and outcomes. Dr. Parmjeet Kaur Sidhu presented a comprehensive report summarizing the key takeaways from the two-day event.
A total of 15 research papers were presented in the seminar. Other faculty members of the Punjabi Department, including Prof. Uma Sethi, Prof. Akwinder Kaur Tanvi, Dr. Pawan, Ravi Kumar, and Dr. Sukhjit Kaur, were also present on both days.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Yog Raj, Chairman of the School of Punjabi Studies, expressed gratitude for the participation of scholars and guests, emphasizing the commitment to continue the discourse on literature, ideology, and philosophy through future seminars.