Workshop on Projection of Women in 21st century in English Literature and Indian Theatre (05-03-2021)

The English Study Forum, Department of English of Dakshin Kamrup College organised a workshop on “Projection of Women in 21st century in English Literature and Indian Theatre” in collaboration with IQAC of the college on 5 March, 2021 in the Krishna Kanta Handique Auditorium at 10 am. It was attended by the students and faculty members of the department. Three neighbouring colleges – Dakshin Kamrup Girl’s College, Chaygaon College and Paschim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya participated in the workshop. The students of these colleges are accompanied by the faculty members of their English Departments respectively. 88 participants took part in the workshop. It is pertinent to note that students of the Mass Communication and Journalism of Dakshin Kamrup Girls’ College also took part in the workshop. The inaugural lamp was lit by the resource person Dr. Asha Kuthari Choudhuri. The workshop began with the welcome address by Dr. Jilmil Bora, HOD of English cum Convener of English Study Forum, D.K College. In her welcome speech she pointed to the need to discuss about the nature of projection of women characters in English Literature of the 21st century and in Indian theatre. She said that she is very positive that the resource persons will definitely enlighten the participants with their fertile deliberations.

Professor Asha Kuthari Choudhuri of Gauhati University, Department of English acted as the resource person of the first session. She highlighted upon the portrayal of women and their presentation in literature in general; their self-representation in particular. She emphasised how power is involved with gender and said that there is always a notion of power with the act of speaking. Hence, we hardly find any record about women representing themselves; it is always the male author who represented women. She cited the examples of the likes of world famous authors of English literature like Shakespeare and Hardy to prove her point. Then referring to writers like Mahasweta Devi and Manjula Padmanavan she pointed out how these women writers projected women characters in literature. Coming to theatre, especially Assamese theatre, she mentioned the names of Padmashree awarded dramatist, Arun Sarma and Manju Borah, the international and national award winning Assamese film director and their presentation of women characters.

The second session of the workshop saw Himangshu Prasad Das, Film and Theatre personality of Goru fame, enlightened the participants with the history of drama. He talked briefly about the different forms of performance - street play, invisible theatre and stage play. He highlighted on the objectification of women in theatre and films; the challenges faced by directors and producers to bring Assamese women actors to perform on stage. He ended by giving tips to students on how to get enrolment in the National School of Drama, Delhi and encouraged them to participate in drama and drama workshops. The day long workshop got over with the vote of thanks by Assistant Prof. Aparna Goswami and Certificate Distribution Ceremony.

Dr. Jilmil Bora,

HoD, English and Convener, English Study Forum,

Dakshin Kamrup College, Mirza.