X International Conference of

Indian Society for Theatre Research

(In association with International Federation for Theatre Research)

 

Organized by

Department of Culture & Media Studies

Central University of Rajasthan

 

8-11 January 2014

 

Interdisciplinary Negotiations in Performing Arts:

Indo-Global Praxis

 

Call for Papers

 

The art is needed more in contemporary world because art transgresses boundaries of culture. One of the roles of art is to break down boundaries between different forms, styles and modes of expression. This issue of borders is not confined of course to geographic and cultural differences. Rather, art helps us to understand what we have in common and where we differ, what we like and what offends us, what excites us and what leaves us cold. We come together around art without having to agree about it. Art helps to populate and energize an open public space for reflection, expression, empathy, dissent and disagreement.

 

Crossing over various disciplines is an inherent phenomenon of Indian theatre and performing arts. Although, the western influence during the colonial period and later on, in the post independence period, the character of modern Indian theatre has somewhat changed, which is often reflected in the realistic theatre of the country. The larger section of the Indian theatre scene belongs to the experimental theatre, which takes its energy and motivation from the classical and folk/tribal theatre, which is basically, since its origin, an interdisciplinary theatre. Music, dance, acrobatic movements, gesticulation of emotions are the integral aspect of such theatre.

The idea of interdisciplinarity in the performing arts does not refer solely to exchanges between artistic disciplines. Art itself, as a whole, can be seen as a discipline in an interdisciplinary relationship with other fields, such as education or the social sciences (anthropology, politics, sociology...) and the pure and applied sciences. We also see a lot of negotiations between art and questions that are already interdisciplinary, such as feminism, spirituality, the environment, and political issues of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, etc. The discourses on these subjects inspire many artists for experiments at the level of mixing forms.

A large proportion of the practices in performing arts currently classified under the interdisciplinary heading are in fact non-disciplinary practices: strangers to the very notion of discipline, they are outside a disciplinary paradigm. In these practices, disciplinary concerns (advancing the disciplinary language, developing the mastery of a discipline) come well after other concerns - usually of a political nature.

On the other hand, if we closely look at the history of the popular Indian cinema, the dancers and musicians used to appear very traditional Indian-style and a little folky but now they are so western. However, the interdisciplinary negotiations in Bollywood always tried to find a message through dancing and music as how the different styles of dance and music could be incorporated to explain it to a wider audience.

 

Broadly the following sub-themes, but not necessary to be limited, will be the constituents of the conference under the wider rubric of Interdisciplinary Negotiations in Performing Arts: Indo-Global Praxis:

1. 1.Interdisciplinary negotiations in performing arts and forces of technology and globalization
2. 2.Craving for innovation and market forces
3. 3.Interdisciplinary negotiations in performing arts: the culture of individualization and the trap of self fascination
4. 4.Fusion of performing arts and psyche of terror
5. 5.Fusion, diffusion and spirituality
6. 6.Interdisciplinary negotiations and confusion of political exchanges
7. 7.Negotiations of performing arts and mythology
8. 8.Negotiating innovations and body politics
9. 9.Negotiating traditions and contemporary issues in theatre, dance and music
10. 10.Issues of borders and boundaries v/s solace and comfort

 

We welcome proposals for general conference and for the Research Scholars’ Forum dealing with the subject. Papers must be no longer than twenty (20) minutes. Research Scholars may also submit short proposals for 10-minute papers on their research for presentation in specially organized sessions. All proposals should contain: author; title; around 400-500 word abstract; intended audience [i.e., General Conference, or Research Scholars Forum]; indication of technical facilities; brief biographical note of the author; full postal address; fax number and e-mail-address at istr.str@gmail.com. The abstract will be accepted after scrutiny to avoid substandard and irrelevant presentations.

 

Conference Venue:    

The conference will take place at the sprawling campus of the Central University of Rajasthan situated in the outskirts of Bandarsindri – Kishangarh.(Bandarsindri village is situated on the national highway No. 8 (Delhi-Mumbai) in Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The nearest railway station is Kishangarh. The nearest international airport is Jaipur around 105. The transportation facility may be provided from Railway Station and Airport if informed well in advance.

 

            Deadlines:

1. a.Submission of abstracts:15 October 2013 (abstracts will not be accepted after this date)
2. b.Acceptance Information15 November 2013
3. c.Early registration15 December 2013

STR Conference Fee: (for 4 days conference)

1. a.Early registration
   1. i.National participants: INR 2000
   2. ii.Research Students (National)750
   3. b.Late Registration
      1. i.National participants: INR 3000
      2. ii.Research Students (National)INR 1000
      3. c.International Participants (upon arrival)100

• Payment method will be informed after the acceptance of the abstract.
• International participants can make their payment in Indian currency upon arrival only. There is no late registration for them.

Note-1:            Conference Fee includes conference kit, access to all conference events, cultural events and theatre shows, boarding in university accommodation for 5 nights including breakfast, lunch and dinner (Arrival ^7th and departure ^12th January), coffee and snacks during conference and other curtsy special events.

                       

• There are not many hotels in the close vicinity, since it is a rural area, however, there is a 3 star accommodation called ‘Hotel Royal Heritage’ costing around US$40 per night. You can visit the hotel site http://kishangarh.1589hotels.com for detail.
• The conference organizers are working out the best suitable airport and railway pickups. A separate notification will be circulated as soon as it is finalized.
• A day tour of Pushkar and Ajmer could also be organized on extra payment. A separate notification will be circulated at the due course of time.

 

Note-2:          The conference organizing committee is also planning to arrange in collaboration with other cultural institution, some exciting theatre, dance and music performances.

Financial Logistics:

Due to lack of financial support, ISTR is not in position to provide any kind of financial support towards the travel cost to national and international participants, however, the efforts are being made to help the research scholars and students to the maximum possible ways, which will be announced soon.

 

Conference Coordinator:

Dr. Ravi Chaturvedi

Head, Dept. of Culture & Media Studies

&

President (ISTR)

Email: ravicvdi@curaj.ac.in

Website: www.curaj.ac.in