There cannot be any novel without culture. A novel is not merely an exposition of silent thoughts of its creator, it is also a mirror of his experiences, sentiments, and also of the thoughts that emanates from the socio-cultural milieu of the writer. South Asian narratives are distinct just as the region itself. They are distinct to the extent that they have created an occidental psyche that craves for exoticism through South Asian literature that is home-grown and diverse at the same time. Subject matter of exoticism range from post-colonial maladies to globalization and its discontents. In other words, South Asian sub-culture has undergone myriad phases of its waves of shifts, from post-colonial, to globalised, and post-globalised South Asia. In an era where culture and its products has become a commodity, all forms of art including literature too face challenges posed by globalisation.
South Asia being arguably the most linguistically diverse regions in the world has variance of races, cultures, religions, castes and colours which have imbibed into their writings. Commonalities that are inherent can only be drawn by traversing such cultural contours and tapestries. English being a reckoning force in the publishing world as well as in the world of awards, novels written in the dominant language seem to have overpowered the spread of works written in native languages. Thus, there are two challenges lie ahead of the South Asian Novel; one is to whether the novelists should write for the consumption of the world readership who craves for exoticism or to write for the consumption of the South Asian reader.
In keeping with the SAARC Agenda for culture which envisages the diversity in culture needs to be acknowledged as varied experiences are reflected in the richness of cultural expression, the SAARC Cultural Centre will organize a 3-day Literary Festival in Bhutan. The Festival will be an open forum for writers as well as literary critics to discuss the current status of South Asian Novel and to indulge in exploring the unique cultural tapestry of the South Asian novel.
2.0 THE FESTIVAL
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This Festival will provide a platform to the novelists, writers, literary critics, and literary enthusiasts in the region to share their thoughts, insights, voice their concerns and learn from the experts of South Asian Novels.
2.2 THEME FOR THE FESTIVAL
The culture of South Asian Novel: what makes South Asian Novel distinct from the rest. The current trends in the South Asian will be reviewed.
2.3 SESSIONS
The Festival would have presentations, book reviews, lectures, discussions and book reading sessions.
2.4 DATES AND VENUE
The Conference will be held at the SAARC Forestry Centre, Taba, Thimphu Bhutan for 3 days from 18 to 20 December 2013.
2.5 PARTICIPATION AT THE FESTIVAL
2.5.1 OFFICIAL NOMINEES FROM THE MEMBER STATES:
The SAARC Cultural Centre invites all the Member States to send a minimum of Five and maximum of Ten Novelists as Official Nominees with the exception of Bhutan to nominate a maximum of 15.
2.5.2 NOMINATION PROCESS:
All nominations should include:
i. Full Name and affiliation (if any) of the Person with a detailed CV
One of the nominees is required to make a country presentation for 15 minutes on current situation of Novels of their respective country. Official nominations have to be sent via the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ External Affairs Ministry to the SAARC Secretariat. Contact details of the Governments of the respective Member States are given in Ann I. An advance copy of the nomination may be forwarded to the SAARC Cultural Centre. Email – research-scc@sltnet.lk or sccpublications@gmail.com
2.6. LAST DATE
The last date for sending the nominations is 30 November 2013.
2.7. LANGUAGE
The language for Festival would be English.
2.8. LOGISTIC SUPPORT
The SAARC Cultural Centre would provide the local hospitality (hotel accommodation on full-board basis) and the local transport to all nominees of the SAARC Member States.
The airfare of the nominees of the SAARC Member States is to be borne by the respective Member State.
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