September 4-6, 2024
organized by
Centre for Research,
and
IQAC
Maitreyi College (Accredited A++ by NAAC), University of Delhi
under the aegis of
Vantage: Journal of Thematic Analysis (A publication of Centre for Research)
Theme: Systems of Knowledge in India: moving towards self-reliance
Self-reliance is the process of becoming empowered with knowledge to have a self-sufficient, and independent way of life. For this India has nurtured plural ways of drawing upon its diverse resources, rich cultural heritage and intellectual traditions. These plural ways show that self-reliance is possible with an open mind that is firmly grounded in its roots.
The cultural heritage of India includes the local, regional, and primarily oral traditions, the day-to-day practices, folk culture, myths, local rituals, and customs. The intellectual traditions include traditions of philosophy, architecture, grammar, mathematics, astronomy, history, sociology, politics, ethics, logic, science, medicine, plants, soils, cosmology, trade, commerce, biology, art, craft, dance, music, theatre, literature, calligraphy and much more.
For several hundred years power structures have inhibited the interplay between cultural heritage and intellectual traditions. These structures privileged the languages of written traditions and the practices of rural and urban dwellers as great tradition and invisibilized the oral traditions and the practices of peasant cultivators, crafts people, forest dwellers, fisherfolks as little tradition.
Further, in modern times colonial and post-colonial power structures have marginalised these plural ways of creating knowledge in relation to a way of life, Modern science labels this as ethno-science. Several scholars, in their for quest of self-reliance, have been engaged in challenging this perception and critiquing the hegemony of modern science.
Equinox 2024, invites papers, empirical and theoretical, that engage with plural ways of knowing and living in India.
Some suggested sub-themes (but not limited to) are as follows:
Medical Epistemes: Indigenous knowledge and healing systems
Traditional and Modern Ecological practices
Climate Resilience: Harnessing indigenous knowledge systems
Rituals and indigenous practices related to agriculture
Harmonizing traditional and scientific knowledge systems for agricultural practices
Textual and oral traditions
Traditions of philosophical thoughts
Culture, language, and science
Ancient centres of knowledge and education: Nalanda, Taxila, Kashi, etc
Indian cuisines: nutrition, history, regions and culture
Life and method of philosophers and thinkers
Religion, mathematics, astrology, astronomy,
Cultural perceptions of homeland (Bharat, Hindustan, Aryavrat, Sapangada, Niyamgiri etc.
Maritime knowledge, trade, and commerce
Migration and diaspora
Swadeshi and self-Reliance
Folk and Tribal culture: folk lore, stories, local deities, folk songs, dance etc.
Traditional knowledge systems in Building craft (Arts, Craft and architecture)
Via email: equinoxmaitreyi@gmail.com ; vantage@maitreyi.du.ac.in