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| Report
of the Association for Comparative Studies 2004-2005 |
The most unforgettable
event in the year under report is the sad demise of Dr. A.P.Andrewskutty,
our beloved Guru. Dr. A.P.Andrewskutty was the leading light of
the ACS all through these years. He conveyed knowledge, wisdom
and love through every intervention he made in the meetings of
the Association. He died on 1st November 2004 in Tamil University,
Thanjavoor. Dr. A.P.Andrewskutty was a great teacher and he died
as a teacher. He met with sudden death while he was lecturing
to a group of teachers in the University. We, members of the Association
recall with gratitude all that has done for us.
Report
of the ACS Conference held on 8-10 October 2004
The
9th annual conference the Association for Comparative Studies
was held in Sameeksha, Kalady. Deviating from the tradition of
conducting the annual conference in the second week of November
ACS had to prepone the conference to October to suite the convenience
of post graduate students. Dr.M.V.Pylee, former vice chancellor
of Cochin University and president of the Association for Comparative
Studies, inaugurated the conference on Friday at 2 pm. Dr.Sunny
P Orathel, vice president of the association presided over the
meeting. Both of them suggested that the ACS should expand its
activities to other major disciplines like Economics, Medicine
and Law. About 100 delegates participated in the conference. The
participants included eminent scholars like Dr.MGS Narayanan,
Mr. P.Govindapilla, Dr.Raghavan Payyanadu, Dr. T.B.Venugopala
Panikker, and Dr. A.P.Andrewskutty. About 25 young teachers and
75 post graduate students also participated .10 research students
participated in the competition for Professor Elamkulam Kunjan
Pilla Birth Centenary Prize. They presented research papers dealing
with Kerala Studies. We are happy to report that the research
papers by the young scholars in general impressed everybody with
the variety of topics, fields of enquiry and research methodologies.
The paper entitled ‘Religion and Non-Mappila Element in
Malabar Revolt’ presented by Aneesudheen Ahamed.V won the
prestigious Elamkulam Kunjan Pilla Prize comprising a merit certificate
and a cash award of Rs.1001/- . Mr. C.V.Sudheer was awarded Professor
L.V.Ramaswamy Aiyyar Prize for the best paper in Malayalam Linguistics.
On the first day of the conference Dr. MGS Narayanan
delivered Professor Elamkulam Kunjan Pilla commemoration lecture
on ‘Keralolpathy- A New Reading’. Mr. R.Nandakumar,
the art critic, delivered Dr.Hermann Gundert commemoration lecture
on ‘Reception of Music in Kerala’.
In preparation of the Birth Centenary of L.V.Ramaswamy
Aiyyar, the famous Malayalam Linguist there was five presentations
on LVR’s contributions to Malayalam Studies. Dr. T.B.Venugopala
Panikkar presented a paper on LVR’s contributions to Malayalam
Studies. Mr. C.V.Sudheer spoke on Malayalam Phonetics. Ms. Soumya
Baby presented an annotated bibliography of LVR’s papers.
Dr.P.Pavithran (Contemporary Historiography), Mr.Sunil P Elayidom
(Revisiting Krishnagatha), Dr.K.V.Dileepkumar (Commercial Places
in Literature), Ms.Sajitha .K.R (Historical Understandings of
Pulaya Community) and Ms. Sumi Joy Oliyappuram (Language and Advertisement)
presented papers in various sessions.
There was a special session on ‘Payyannur
Pattu’. Mr.Y.V.Kannan and Dr.T.Pavithran presented two research
papers explaining the folkloristic nature of ‘Payyannur
Pattu’.Dr. Scaria Zacharia explained the significance of
the new developments in the study of ‘Payyannur Pattu’.
There was a series of presentations on Contemporary
Popular Culture of Kerala. Dr.Raghavan Payyanadu in his presentation
explained the interface of folk lore and popular culture.Mr.K.M.Narendran
spoke on ‘Problems of defining Popular Culture’. Dr.Shaji
Jacob dealt with the definitions of popular culture. Dr.P.S.Radhakrishnan
presented a paper on the superstar status of Mammootti.
On the last day of the conference there was a session to commemorate
Jacques Derrida. Mr. Hudaifa Rahman, a post graduate student of
Sree Sankaracharya University (Tirur Centre) gave a short presentation
on Derrida. He described the intellectual and political dimensions
of Derrida’s life and works.
Dr.MGS.Narayanan distributed cash awards and certificates to the
winners of Elamkulam Kunjan Pilla Birth Centenary Prize and L.V
Ramaswamy Aiyyar Prize.
The managing committee of the Association met several times to
plan and execute the activities. Three books are ready for publication
and they are to be released in July 2005. The Association has
decided to launch a quarterly journal for Kerala Studies - TAPASAM.
This is envisaged as an international research journal incorporating
articles in Malayalam and English. The first issue is to be released
in July 2005.
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| Annual
Report 2002-2003 |
| 
During the period of April 1st 2002 to March 31st 2003 the Association
for Comparative Studies conducted its academic consultations, research
seminars and annual conference under the leadership of the office
bearers. About 100 researchers and post graduates participated in
these programmes. Eminent Scholars from India and abroad presented
papers as part of these academic programmes.
Office
Bearers |
| President |
:DR.M.V.PYLEE
(former Vice-chancellor, Cochin University) |
Vice
Presidents:
|
:DR.A.P.ANDREWSKUTTY
(Professor and Head, Dept. Of Linguistics, University of Kerala)
:DR.SUNNY
.P. ORATHEL MD
(Medical College, Kottayam) |
| Secretary |
DR.SCARIA
ZACHARIA
(Professor and Head, Dept. of Malayalam, S.S. University.) |
| Treasurer: |
DR.N.VIJAYA
MOHANAN PILLAI
(Lecturer, Dept. of Sanskrit, S.S. University, Kalady) |
Executive
Committee:
| Stephen
Mathews (Lecturer. in Commerce, S.B College, Changanachery) |
Biju.
C.P (Sub Editor, Mathrubhoomi) |
Shamshad
Hussain (Lecturer. in Malayalam, S.S. University, Thirur) |
| Dr
Jaya Sukumaran (St Thomas HSS,Malayatoor) |
V.J.Varghese
(Research Fellow,Hyderabad University) |
Ms
Sumi Joy Oliyapuram(ResearchFellow,M.G.
University) |
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| ACS
conducted a two day seminar on linguistics at Kalady Sameeksha on
the 28th and 29th July 2002. Dr. A .P.Andrews Kutty and Dr. Scaria
Zacharia were the chief resource persons in the seminar. Dr. A.P.
Andrews Kutty delivered the key note address on Bio linguistics.
Mr. K. Sreekumar (Research scholar, University of Kerala), Ms. Sumi
Joy, Ms. Shamsad Hussain, Sr. Deepa, Ms. Jaya Sukumaran, Mr. K.V.Sasi,
Dr. N. Ajayakumar, Dr. N. VijayaMohanan Pilai and Mr. Biju C.P.
presented papers. It was a gathering of research scholars and teachers
who are very active in ACS. On the 3rd of September there was a
one-day seminar on Jewish Malayalam folk songs at SSUS Kalady, which
was conducted in collaboration with the Malayalam Department of
SSUS. Dr. K.N. Panikkar, the V.C, SSUS, was the chief guest. Ms.
Ophira Gamliet from Israel and Albrecht Frenz from Germany took
part in the seminar. Dr. N. Ajayakumar, Dr. P. Pavithran, Dr. K.V.
DileepKumar, Dr. Shaji Jacob, Dr. N. Vijayamohanan Pillai, Mr. Sunil
P. Elayidam, Mr. Sasi K.V., Dr. Aju Naryanan, Mr. Biju C.P., Ms.
Sumi Joy, Ms. Sajitha K.R., Ms. Jaya Sukumaran and Ms. Bilu C. Narayanan
presented papers. A very significant feature of this programme was
the musical presentation of Jewish songs by Ms. Latha Mathew and
Ms. Ophira Gamliel. Ms.Ophira who teaches Sanskrit in Hebrew University
and works on a research project of Jewish Malayalam songs, has translated
50 Jewish Malayalam songs into modern Hebrew. She sings
these songs in Hebrew
translation but with original Malayalam tunes. Ms. Latha, a brilliant
post graduate on Indian music has provided excellent examples of
singing Jewish Malayalam songs with contemporary standardized Malayalam
accent. ACS has prepared audio cassettes of this musical programme.
As
usual, the most important event during the period under report was
three day annual (8-10 November) Conference in Sameeksha Kalady.
Two equally important themes were selected for the annual conference.
I. Folklore, History and liteature and 2. Humour in Malayalam and
Keralite life. The three day annual conference opened at 2 pm on
Friday with the introductory speech of Dr. A. P. Andrews Kutty,
vice president of ACS. There were 9 papers in the folklore session
and 10 in the session on humour. The Seminar started with the presentation
of Dr. M.R. Raghava Varier, eminent historian and literary critic.
He spoke on Folklore: History and Literature. Dr. A.P. Andrews Kutty
chaired the session. Dr. T. Pavithran, Dr. Aju Narayanan, Mr. K.M.
Narendran, Ms. Sajitha K.R. and Ms. Sita Kakkoth presented papers
on related subjects. Eminent scholar Dr. C. Rajendran professor,
Dept. of Sanskrit Calicut University delivered Sanjayan commemoration
lecture. Dr. K.V.Dileep Kumar, Dr. P.S. Radhakrishnan, Mr. Sunil
P. Elayidam, Ms. Indu Idappally, and Ms. Shifa Rajan presented papers.
There was a special session on the new trends in the study of the
Malayalam Language. Dr. A. P. Andrews Kutty delivered the keynote
address. Ms. Sumi Joy Olliappuam and Ms. Bilu C. Narayanan presented
papers. Herman Gundert commemoration lecture session on new developments
in the study of Bhasha Koutaliyam was delivered by Dr. M.G.S. Narayanan,
eminent histoian and chairman of ICHR. Dr. N. Ajayakumar, Dr. C.
Rajendran, Dr. T.B. Venugopalappanikar, and Mr. K.V. Sasi took part
in the discussion on this paper. In the evening there was a performance
of folk arts by Ezholikkal Natan Kala Sangam, Madappally under the
leadership of Mr. A.K.Appukkuttan. On the 3rd day Mr. K.K. Mararar
from Tellichery delivered a special lecture on the Tradition of
humour in Tellichery. Dr. Raghavan Payyanad, Professor, Dept. of
folk lore studies Calicut University delivered a special lecture
on New Trends in Folk loristics. Dr. M. V. Pylee, president ACS
presided over the valedictory session. Dr. A.P. Andrews Kutty, Dr.
N. Vijayamohanan Pillai and Mr. V. J. Varghese spoke on the occasion.
We
are grateful to authorities of Sameeksha, the Indian spirituality
center at Kalady for providing us generous hospitality. Before concluding
this report I express my gratitude to Dr. M.V. Pylee, the president
of the Association and other colleagues who facilitated the smooth
conduct of the ACS. Dr. N. Vijaya Mohanan Pillai, the treasurer,
took care of the financial matters. My student friends and colleagues
shared my duties as the secretary of the Association. I hope the
Association will continue to receive the same kind of patronage
for years to come.
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| Annual
Report 2001 -2002
During
the period April 1st 2001 to March 31st 2002, the Association for
Comparative Studies Conducted its normal programmes including consultations,
research seminars, and annual conference under the leadership of
the office bearers.
As
usual the most important event was the three day (9-11 November)
annual conference in Sameeksha, Kalady. The theme of the conference
was "Theories of Aryan and Dravidian-Claims, Challenges and
Changes". 25 papers were presented dealing with various aspects
of the theme. Eminent historians, cultural critics and literary
personalities participated in the conference. Dr. Kesavan Veluthattu,
Professor of History, Mangalore university delivered the keynote
address. Dr. Rajan Gurukkal, Dr. M.R. Raghava Varier, Sunil P. Elayidam,
Bilu.C Narayanan, Dr. K.V Dileep Kumar, Dr. N. Rajasekharan (Annamala
University), Dr.P.S.Radhakrishnan, Sumi Joy Oliyappuram and H.K.Santhosh
presented papers on related themes. Dr. K.G.Poulose delivered a
special lecture on the cultural evolution of Kerala highlighting
the blend of Sanskrit and Dravidian elements. A special event of
the three day conference was a folk music evening "Karinthalakkoottam",
a folk music group lead by the famous folklorist Dr.C.R.Rajagopal
entertained and enthused the audience with this programme.
Mr.Zacharia,
the eminent Malayalam novelist and short story writer delivered
Basheer commemoration lecture. He spoke on typical Malayalam humour.
Dr.Reinhard Wendt, Professor of Non European History, Fern University,
Hagen, Germany delivered Dr. Hermann Gundert commemoration lecture
on Gundert and Kittel. Dr.Sukumari Narendra Menon, the eminent artist
and scholar through a demonstration lecture illustrated the convergence
of Aryan and Dravidian elements in Kerala music. On the third day
of the seminar there was a special session on the literary works
of M.Mukundan. Dr.D.Benjamin, Dr.Shaji Jacob, E.P.Rajagopal, Johny.J.Plathottam,
Dr.N.Ajayakumar, K.V.Sasi and Sajitha K.R presented papers.
Association
for Comparative Studies conducted an Inter Collegiate Quiz Competition
involving 8 college/university teams. This was a special programme
to commemorate G.Sankara Kuruppu, the eminent Malayalam poet on
the occasion of
his birth centenary.
During
the year under review, the Association has published one book entitled
"Adhunikatha Malayala Kavithayil" by Dr.N.Ajayakumar.
This is a modified version of his
doctoral dissertation on Modernity in Malayalam Poetry. Dr.K.N.Panikkar
, Vice-chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya university of Sanskrit released
the book by handing over the first copy to Mr.K.V.Sasi in a special
function held in the department of Malayalam, Sree Sankaracharya
university of Sanskrit, Kalady on 2nd July 2001.
Association has already prepared the proceedings of the annual conference
2000 in two volumes-Charithravum Sahithyavum (History and Literature),
Anandinte
Rachanakalile Poruladayalangal (Studies on the Writings of Anand
). These books shall be released during the next year.
We
are extremely grateful to eminent scholars, researchers, post graduate
students and lovers of Kerala culture for their generous co-operation.
As the secretary of the Association I am deeply indebted to Dr.M.V.Pylee,
the president of the Association,
Dr.D.Vijaya Mohanan Pillai, the treasurer and all other members
of executive committee for their co-operation.
Secretary.
Annual Report 2000 -2001
The
most important event of the year under review was the three-day
annual conference held on
10-12 November 2000 at Sameeksha, Kalady. The general theme of the
conference was History and Literature. Dr. M.V. Pylee, president
of the Association for Comparative Studies inaugurated the conference.
He explained the working and relevance of the Association. He thanked
the scholars who are contributing to the programme of the Association.
He thanked Dr. M.G.S. Narayanan for his special care for the Association.
Dr. M.G.S.Narayanan delivered the keynote address, in which he emphasized
that History and literature are intersecting domains, which share
many common theories and methodologies. Kerala studies which has
developed very fast during the last fifty years bear testimony to
the positive effects of such a collaboration.
Dr. Veluthattu Kesavan (Dept. of History, Mangalore University)
presented a paper on Sukuntalam outlining the possibilities of historical
and literary interpretations. Mr. V.J.Varghese (JRF, University
of Hyderabad) spoke on history in literature. Mr. Pradeepan Pampirikkunnu
(Lecturer, SSUS) pointed out the possibilities of hisoricising literature.
The racial and gender determinations of cultural performances are
easily discerned in such an analysis.
In the evening Dr. M.R.Raghava Variar delivered Prof. Elamkulam
Kunjan Pillai commemoration speech on the Structure of Manipravalam.
The lecture was followed by lively discussions.
On the second day of the annual conference two parallel sessions
were held. In the first session of Folklore, History and Literature
Dr. Scaria Zacharia (Secretary, ACS), Aju Narayanan ( Research Scholar,
SSUS) Sr Deepa (Lecturer, St. Stephen's College) and Suma Cyriac
(Lecturer, Assumption College) presented papers. The second session
included papers on Language, Literature and Philosophy. Dr. A.P.
Andrewskutty (Professor of linguistics, University of Kerala), Dr.
C.M. Neelakantan (Reader, SSUS), Dr. P.Geeta (Lecturer, Govt. College,
Malappuram), Dr. Dharmaraj Adatt (Reader, SSUS), Dr. K.V.Dileepkumar
(Lecturer, SSUS), Sumi Joy Oliappuram (JRF, S.B.College) and Indu
Idappally(P.G.Student) presented papers in this session. In the
afternoon Dr. Margrette Frenz (Berlin University) delivered Hermann
Gundert Commemoration lecture on Tellicherry Records. She presented
a copy of her doctoral desertation on Tellicherry Records to the
secretary of the Association. In the same session Dr. Joseph Scaria
presented a complimentary paper on the Discourse Analysis of Tellicherry
Records. At 3 pm Dr. B. Rajeevan, well known Malayalam critic delivered
Kuttipuzha Krishnapillai commemoration lecture on the Intellectual
Traditions of Keralites. In the evening there was a special session
for general discussions. On 12th November, the last day of conference,
there was a symposium on History and Literature in the works of
Anand. Dr. Rajan Gurukkal (Professor of History, M.G. University),
Dr. D. Benjamin (Professor of Malayalam, Kerala University), Dr.
N.Ajayakumar, Dr. Shaji Jacob, Dr. P.Pavithran, Sunil P.Ilayidam,
Sajitha, K.R. (Lecturers, SSUS) and Sasi. K.V. (M.Phil student)
presented papers on various aspects of Anand's works. We are very
happy to report that Anand was kind enough to sit through many of
the sessions of the conference. He intervened in the discussions
and responded to the points raised by the discussants. 52 registered
delegates attended the conference. The hall mark of the conference
was the active participation of delegates in discussions. We are
grateful to senior scholars like M.G.S. Narayanan, Dr. M.R.Raghava
Variar, and Dr. Veluthattu Kesavan for spending full three days
with us.
We are grateful to authorities of Sameeksha, the Indian spirituality
centre at Kalady for providing us generous hospitality. Before concluding
this report I express my gratitude to Dr. M.V. Pylee, the president
of the Association and other colleagues who facilitated the smooth
conduct of the ACS. Dr. N. Vijaya Mohanan Pillai, the treasurer,
took care of the financial matters. My student friends and colleagues
shared my duties as the secretary of the Association. I hope the
Association will continue to receive the same kind of the patronage
for years to come.
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