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Call for Papers Theme: Tagore and Nationalism Type: International Conference Institution: Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) Location: Shimla (India) Date: 5.–7.11.2015 Deadline: 1.7.2015 __________________________________________________ This seminar would try to revisit the concepts of nation, nationalism, identity and selfhood, civilization, culture and homeland, thereby addressing how Rabindranath’s (post/anti/inter)nationalist standpoint would possibly contribute to the creation of a transnational and transcultural identity of a universal global community. How can one approach the internal contradiction in Tagore’s own evaluation of nationalism? He regarded self-sacrifice for the sake of the nation as a demoralizing and dehumanizing force on account of the nationalist claim that “the nation is greater than the people”. Nevertheless, he considered that the “power of self-sacrifice” and the “moral faculty of sympathy and co-operation” structure “the guiding spirit of social vitality”. Is there an alternative discourse in his terminologies like deshabhiman, swadeshprem, deshbhakti, swadeshchetana as not being synonymous with nationalism? How far was his suggestion of maintaining India as ‘a land without a centre’ got addressed through his interrogation of the issues of class/caste/gender/minorities in his own creative exercises? Can Tagore’s philosophical critique of nationalism which is based on a critical reading of Indian traditions, particularly with the extensive deployment of his Brahmo inheritance and the ideas of the Vedas and Upanishads, be used as a counter-narrative against extremist Hindu nationalism? How can we locate Tagore vis-à-vis the contemporary views/stances on nationalism? What is the regional/Indian/global response to Tagore through translation/adaptation? Papers are invited for presentation, related to any of the following suggested themes: - Tagore and Nationalism: Contemporary Visions/Receptions of (Post/Anti/Inter)Nationalism - Civilization and Nationalism: Regional, National and Global Mediations - Interrogating Nationalism in Literature, Art and Culture - History and Politics: Concerns regarding ‘Home’, ‘Other’ and the Future of Nationalism - Tagore’s Pedagogy and “De-colonization” of the Self. The last date for submission of abstract (500-700 words) is 1 July, 2015. The date for short listing of participants is 8 July, 2015. The Institute intends to send Invitation letters to selected participants by 15 July, 2015. It is the policy of the Institute to publish the proceedings of the seminars it organizes. Hence, all invited participants will be expected to submit complete papers (6000-10000 words), hitherto unpublished and original, with citations in place, along with a reference section, to the Academic Resource Officer, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla – 171005 by 5 October, 2015. IIAS, Shimla, will be glad to extend its hospitality during the Seminar period and is willing to reimburse, if required, rail or air travel expenses from the place of current residence in India, or the port of arrival in India, and back. Contact: Dr. Kaustav Chakraborty Indian Institute of Advanced Study Rashtrapati Nivas Shimla - 171005 India Tel: +91 (0)177 2832930 (Ext. 220) Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.iias.org/event/tagore-and-nationalism __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
