Professor Shin Dong Kim, one of the long time colleagues and a rare academic in South Korea, has been steadfast in internationalising the landscape of Korean Communication Studies since early 2000s. He was one of the architects of a unique international conference organised by the Korean Association of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Studies (KABS), a vibrant association of academics and professionals. The association had its Spring 2016 conference in the culturally important city, Jeonju during April 22-23 2016.
The conference venue was in Chonbuk National University. The university witnessed historic student protests in the wake of the May 18 1980 uprisings against the then military dictatorship, according to Dr.Seong Hyoun Lee, Sejong Institute, Korea,who chaired the first session of the conference on April 22 2016.
A Modest Board of Chonbuk National University, Jeonju (Pl.do not compare this with our University arches!)
(L to R) Peng Huaxin, Elira Turdubaeva and Nello Barile
The registration corner/desk was different from the Western ones. There were typical Korean cultural motifs and the process was hassle free
Venue of the International Session. Spring 2016 KABS conference was the first one with International sessions
Peng Huaxin taking a critical dig at the Chinese Mobile Internet Images
As in many contemporary communication conferences, social media research was omnipresent
With Professor Shin during the conference dinner at Le Win Hotel, Jeonju, on April 22 2016
(L to R) Trace Cabot, Michael Prieler, Yeon Ju Oh and Elira Turdubaeva during the conference dinner at Le Win Hotel on April 22 2016
There were quite a number of enthusiastic young scholars from China, who had very forthright as well as predictable presentations. Notable among them was Mr Wang Shuo, a PhD scholar from Renmin University of China. He had a good presentation on the discursive practices of Chinese television talk shows with reference to “Mr Zhou Live Show.” Another interesting paper from China was presented by a young faculty member from the Shenzen University, Dr Peng Huaxin, who examined critically the relationship between mobile internet images and social expressions. He dealt with the aspects of body politic, power deconstruction and class struggles with reference to mobile internet images.
Dr Nello Barile, who teaches sociology of media at the ILUM University, Milan,Italy/Franklin University,Switzerland, made a substantive presentation linking semiotics and what he called as open branding of politicians. In his presentation, he was examining the case of the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi. I had a chance to read Nello’s review of Claudio Giunta’s book “Being Matteo Renzi” and the review helped me to appreciate the charismatic and suave Nello’s fascination for an equally charismatic young Prime Minister of Italy, Renzi. About the book, Nello says: “Giunta analyzes two essential ontological aspects of the Renzi phenomenon. The first is the idea that “things” and “facts” become increasingly evanescent, or evaporate altogether, under the spell of Renzi’s communicative skills (like Negroponte’s atoms transformed into bytes). The second is the plastic nature of the political leader’s identity, its ability to mold itself to the identities demanded by those whom some have called the ‘look at me generation”.(http://en.doppiozero.com/materiali/commenti/being-matteorenzi).
Dr Elira Turdubaeva, who chairs the Journalism and Mass Communication programme at the American University in Kyrgyztan, explored the dimensions of gatekeeping by the media in her country.
Dr Michael Prieler, Associate Professor, Hallym University, explored in a co-authored paper the images of elderly in 432 East Asian television advertisements in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong and pointed to their linkages with the legacy of Confucius.
Dr Trace Cabot’s (Research Associate, Hallym University) paper was complex to relate to even though it dealt with US primaries. He made a good case against the use of “pop esoterica” attempts by US media, which according to him are working against serious participation by lay people who can not relate to the expert knowledge systems deployed by the media.
There were a countless number of other interesting papers in the Korean sessions which I missed. The manifold attractions of Korean publications at the Registration counter stood testimony to that. Dr Nello took a copy as a souvenir and was flaunting it too!
I visited Hallym University, Chuncheon, one of the efficient private university systems in Asia and South Korea, to give a talk to Prof.Shin’s students on April 25,2016, after my return from Busan. The “Gaya Journey” (read below) was so enticing, I missed the temporal moorings and ended up missing the last Chuncheon bus at 7.10 pm. One kind Korean passenger, well versed with English, offered to help me out and asked me to take the last bus (8.00 pm) to Wonju, a nearby city. He advised me to explore the possibility of connecting from Wonju to Chuncheon after reaching Chuncheon. I took a chance, but the small city of Wonju was already in sleeping mode when my bus reached around 12.00 midnight. I looked around and asked for directions to a nearby motel. Another kind Korean, a taxi driver, asked me to look at the nearby building, which had the sign, MOTEL. I checked in and requested the person in the reception to message Prof.Shin that I reached Wonju and would take the morning bus to Chuncheon. Room fares in Korea are three to five times lower than Indian rates and three to five times clean as well. The bus journey from Wonju and Chuncheon provided good glimpses of the scenic beauty of South Korea as well as the rural environs. Prof.Shin came to the Chuncheon bus station to receive me and drove me to Hallym University around 12 noon.
The Lecturer’s multimedia console in the Communication Lecture Hall, Hallym University
Trying to fix the video issue
Communication Lecture Hall, Hallym University
In the Hallym University Cafeteria
Entering Hallym University
During the stay, I had interesting conversations with Prof.Kim on his current research interest in studies on “mobility” in the new contexts provided by China. Prof.Shin Dong Kim caused one of the earliest waves of locally grounded mobile phone communication studies in Asia nearly a decade ago. I found it very interesting talking about “mobility” as a current denominator of the unprecedented scales/ formations of human beings in the birth and transformation of cities like Shenzen. As he was driving me to his University for a talk to his students, we engaged in a good conversation on travels as processes and travels as functional pursuits. He reminded me of the travelogue by Johann Goethe’s travelogue, “Italian Journey 1786-1788” and said it is an example of a traveller experiencing the process of travel instead of the purposeless travels we make in modern times between points of departure and arrival. I did experience travel as a process to connect with the incredible “mobilities” of our ancestors when I took off from Jeonju in a late afternoon bus to the second largest Korean city of Busan on April 23 2016 evening.
In Busan, I checked into the Plus Motel late in the evening. Took a walk, found a grocery shop, picked some fruits for dinner and went to bed. Next day morning (24 04 2016), I took a metro train to Sasang station to take the Busan-Gimhae Light Transit train to Gimhae city. As I entered the train, I could hear children calling their parents “appa appa”. “amma-amma”. As soon as I headed out of the station, I was surprised to find a festive atmosphere in the air, as it was the time for annual”Gaya Festival,” and once again I could hear children calling their parents “appa appa”. “amma-amma”.
Gaya Festival, Gimhae, April 24 2016
Children calling their parents, “Amma, Appa” as they enjoy their kite flying on the mound which was the major excavation site related to Gaya history
Geumgwan Gaya Gimhae’s history dates back to AD 42 when King Suro was making history
Plaque at the entrance of King Suro’s tomb
Queen Heo Hwang’s tomb
An elderly Korean praying at Queen Heo Hwang’s tomb
Plaque at the entrance to Queen Heo’s tomb
Yin/Yang symbol at the entrance door of King Suro’s tomb
Yin/Yang motif from a Tamil Nadu temple pillar
Yin/Yang motif in South Korean Flag
Gaya flowers in Gaya are nothing but the flowers borne by our Kaya trees. There was a group of folk drummers in the festival grounds whose beats and movements reminded me of the drum beats of our students’ theatre group, Muttram. I found my way to the local museum which showcases the artefacts excavated from the region. I did not seek any help from locals and wanted to experience travel as a process as I was working with a local map to find my way to the tombs of King Suro and Queen Heo of the ancient Gaya kingdom. My travel was meant to be a process-centric experience and not tied to see Gaya’s historic sites as my points of arrival. I was trying to relate to the similarities in the words and cultural practices of Tamils and Koreans and trying to look at them from the perspective of ancient travellers from Tamil Nadu and Korea and the “cultural mobilities”they caused to themselves and the people they met and traded with.
I was experiencing the mind of Queen Heo Hwang-Ok, who is widely believed by Koreans to be a princess from India. She married King Suro, the legendary ruler of Gaya kingdom as I was looking at her tomb. I reached her tomb after a long walk through the streets filled with Filipino workers enjoying their weekend. Even as I found commemorative stones bearing the names of “Agarwals/Mishras” in the garden abutting the tomb of Queen Heo Hwang, the children in the water hole in the garden were calling their parents “appa appa”. “amma-amma” as they were requesting them to help them drink water from the fountainhead which had fish as the motif. On seeing an Indian in me, the care taker in the vicinity was proud to point in the direction of the commemorative stones bearing the names of “Agarwals/Mishras” from India’s Uttar Pradesh state installed a decade ago. I was interested in testing the knowledge of the Korean caretaker about linkages between Tamil and Korean and asked him the Korean word for referring to grass, he said “Pull”, same as in Tamil. I asked him about words to refer to parents, he said, “appa”, “amma.”
Homer Hulbert’s 1905 book “Comparative Grammar of the Korean Language and the Dravidian Languages of India”
I read Homer Hulbert’s 1905 book “Comparative Grammar of Korean and Dravidian” recently, thanks to Orissa Balu, who managed to get a copy from USA. Many in North India, the Indian diplomats who get posted in South Korea, who wish to connect with the “ancient mobilities” between India and Korea through the marker of “Ayuta” as “Ayodhya” have probably not read this seminal work. In his preface, he acknowledges his debt to another wizard of 19th century’s fascination with comparative grammar, Robert Caldwell. The last major work on the lexical connection between Tamil and Korean was a paper by Morgan Clipphinger in the journal, Korean Studies,vol.8.1984. After “presenting over four hundred Korean Dravidian cognate pairs”, Clipphinger (1984,pp.1-3) says emphatically that “any connection between Dravidian and Korean must be closely tied to the migration of the peoples of Asia, a subject that is still not clearly understood. …In short, the evidence suggests that at a very ancient period, Dravidian and Korean shared a common heritage, and this heritage was reinforced much later by migrations to the Korean peninsula, perhaps in the later years of the first millennium B.C.”
Following Hulbert and Clippinger, Jung Nam Kim (President of the Korean Society of Tamil Studies) presented an interesting paper in the Classical Tamil Conference, Coimbatore, in 2010 entitled “Similarities between Tamil and Korean Languages.” Here is his interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGSrEAW0c_A. The lexical evidence that points to the connection between Korean and Dravidian/Tamil could not have started its journey from Hindi heartland, to say the least. From the concrete lexical evidence available, Queen Heo Hwang-Ok can also be read as a significant evidence of “ancient mobilities” between Tamil Nadu and Korea and the most likely source of the more than 400 pairs of cognates that point to the similarities between Korean and Tamil.
It is unfortunate that the Korean wave in manufacturing in Chennai was not leveraged to study the “ancient mobilities” between Korea and Tamil Nadu by either TN universities or the TN government.
However, there are good samaritans in TN and South Korea to get us the correct perspectives on the “ancient mobilities” between Korea and Tamil Nadu/India.
The present Consul General of the Consulate General of South Korea in Chennai, Mr Kim Kyungsoo is an ardent admirer of the ancient “mobilities” between Tamil Nadu and Gaya Kingdom. He has already inspired the successful completion of an international conference on the subject.
Here is what he says on the subject, in his official web page. “I instinctively turn my head often on the streets towards the girl calling “Appa Appa” without knowing that she was calling her father and not me. Also, I have a strong affection towards children who whimpers to their mother crying “Umma”. Similarities between Korean and Tamil has been documented by the missionary Hilbert who loved Korea more than Koreans did. He helped to send a secret envoy to Hague by gaining the trust of the first emperor Kojong. People here call grass from the field as “pull” which has the same pronunciation as Korean grass. Also mowing the grass is called as “beda” that has the same meaning in Tamil as “bedu”. “Iri wa” in Korean refers to come here that is “inge wa” in Tamil. People in South India has similarities with Korea. Unlike Delhi, rice is the main portion of food here in Chennai. It is quite interesting to see farmers transplanting rice here that is similar to farmers transplanting in Korea. Also, rice-based foods similar to Adirasam, Kozkukkattai are eaten in Tamil Nadu. Gilli Danda, hanging a straw rope on the door when a baby is born, and women with hair style of buns and ribbons here reminds me of Korean mothers and old ladies.” (http://ind-chennai.mofa.go.kr/english/as/ind-chennai/mission/greetings/index.jsp)
The experience of the “Korean/Gaya Journey” provided me an opportunity to present more than 300 photos I took during the journey to another admirer of the ancient “mobilities” of Tamils and their counter parts in different parts of the world, Thiru Orissa Balu. Orissa Balu has an interesting mix of plans to do justice to the ancient “mobilities” of Tamils and Koreans.
The Birth Centenary Function of Nadippisai Pulavar Thiru K R Ramasami, the First Superstar of the Dravidian Social Movement Communication was held today (August 05, 2015), during 10.30 am – 6.30 pm at Thanthai Periyar Hall (F 50), Centenary Buildings, University of Madras,Chepauk Campus.Chennai 600005.
Today’s event launched, among other things, a new sub-discipline to work with – social movement communication in India in general and Dravidian social movement communication in particular. What a great start! A good gathering of speakers well versed with the personal experiences of actors who were weaving magical moments for their party leaders as well as their fans through their plays and films that were a radical departure from the Tamil films of the Puranic mould.
Heart warming moments were provided by the family members of the forgotten jewels of Tamil cinema when they started recollecting the serene and inspiring life styles of the film icons their families produced.
For the first time, the University of Madras main conference hall had general public outnumbering students and faculty in the audience.
The event proved that there is a strong need than ever before to explore and understand the contributions of the communication pioneers of last century in Tamil Nadu who worked with the media of gramophone records, music concerts, theatre and films. They travelled widely with their theatre/political party groups, struggled against financial and legal hardships, lived with betrayals of their friends and leaders and, in most cases, lived simple, passionate and socially meaningful lives.
They include Sankaradas Swamigal, Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, Kittappa, TKC brothers, KB Sundarambal, Dandapani Desikar, MKT Bagavathar, PU Chinnappa, Kannamma, Sahasranamam, Kali N Rathinam, NSK, KRR, MR Radha, Baliah, Thangavelu, SSR, Chandrababu, Savithri, Manorama, Nagesh, among others.
Notwithstanding their own merits, thanks to the mainstreaming power of the cults Sivaji Ganesan and MGR made possible through their extraordinary communication talents, we have been made to relate to the communication canvas of TN of last century through a tunnel vision.
The above list does not include Thanthai Periyar and Peraringnar Anna as they ought to be located in a league of their own in Dravidian social movement communication and require large scale studies from a critical perspective. The same is true of the locations of Sivaji Ganesan and MGR.
The communication prowess of the pioneers mentioned above remains unexplored from a critical academic perspective, from the theoretical vantage point of social movement communication. What we have are uncritical, unacademic and hagiographic versions of these greats.
Today’s event, the first initiative in India to come to terms with social movement communication, I am sure would have ignited the minds of young students and scholars to think aloud about the communication greats of Dravidian social movement.
At a time when majority of universities and colleges in India have made a mockery of the terms “national conference” and “international conference” by not having either national level participation or international level participation of scholars, the Third Deleuze in Asia Conference organised by the School of Philosophy and Humanities, Manipal University was truly international in terms of the participation of plenary speakers and paper presenters from all the regions of the world.
It was a pleasant surprise to see many young Indian scholars working with Deleuzean concepts in diverse areas.
Manipal U’s School of Humanities and Philosophy is located on a scenic location. Surrounded by Manglore tiled traditional buildings and overlooking a lake, the buildings of the school had a masterly blend of elements of traditional Mangalorean architecture with modern architecture.
The ambience evoked different memories of the Deleuzean perspectives on architecture shared by Dr Emine Gorgul, Associate Professor,ITU-Istanbul University, Turkey, in her excellent plenary talk analysing the temporal and spatial characteristics of the “Philips Pavilion” in Brussels Expo 1958.
It is amazing to relate to the Deleuzean transformation of what seemed like a nomad’s tent into one of the iconic symbols of modern architecture, thanks to the genius of Le Corbusier.
The conference had an interesting format. It had opening and closing plenary sessions on all three days and an innovative Deleuze camp during May 29 2015-June 02 2015 with leading Deleuze scholars in attendance giving orientation lectures for young scholars.
There were three strong panels on the topic “Deleuze and Cinema”. Prof. Patricia Pisters, Amsterdam University, who became famous as a Deleuze scholar with her 2003 book “The Matrix of Visual Cultures” and 2012 book “Neuro Image:The Deleuzean Film Philosophy of Digital Screen Cultures” was in her best in the plenary talk entitled “The Theseus Ship”.
She was working with Anand Gandhi’s documentary films to get us a different perspective on what we in India fail to read with Indian works.
The plenary talks by Dr Tatsuya Higaki (Osaka University) and Dr Daniel Smith (Purdue University) enlightened our understanding of science and technology vis a vis nature. While Dr Higaki was rooting for the place of the Osaka’s Humanoid Android vis a vis advances in metallurgy, Dr Daniel Smith was calling our attention to the misunderstandings in reading our relationship with nature during all the three phases of the history of modern science and technology (the phases of machines, energetic machines and information machines). Dr Higaki made a clever reference to the Deleuzean categories of minor and nomadic science. The minor is a state mediated one while the nomadic works on the side of nature and people. He said the science of metallurgy is the science made possible by the people who made possible the art of making swords and metal instruments for livelihood.
I made a presentation on the “Rhetorical Bodies and Movement Images in the Tamil Films of 1940s and 1950s”. My session was chaired by Dr Tatsuya Higaki who asked me the question how to take Deleuzean studies forward across the world. I said: “Deleuzean logic is Western and yet universal. However, the rapidly changing nature of theoretical boundaries and socio and political environments in different countries calls for locally grounded/modified applications of the Deleuzean universals.” The deliberations in some of the sessions showed that there were strong uncritical loyalties to Deleuze among many Indian presenters and chairs and I think this will be trap for a true Deleuzean scholarship to emerge in India as Deleuze can be best approached only critically and in the company of the detractors of his times and the present. When I mentioned the name of Zizek as one possible theoretical companion to rediscover Deleuze, a philosophy professor from JNU took offence, exposing himself (about his limited understanding of Deleuze and Zizek) and the discipline and the institution he represents. In another instance, the same person was trying to read the literal meaning of “becoming” and getting into absurd readings of the complex logic of “Deleuzian becomings” by talking about men becoming women, women becoming men and animals etc.,
On the whole, the conference became a hit with one and all. As in many other Deleuze conferences and seminars, the victim has always been his co-author Feliz Guattari, who was mistakenly ignored by many presenters in their citations. There lies the power of the Foucauldian discursive politics of the bad kind in Deleuzean studies!
I am told Mumbai and Chennai are tipped to be the future hosts of Deleuze conferences in India, according to Dr George, Manipal University, who was instrumental in bringing this edition of Deleuze conference to India.
Questions on future of media evoke a certain cause for concern in Western press/media markets because of the pinching implications on account of the popularity of internet media. We have had conferences on “Future of Media” and even “Death of Journalism”, in the past. But the conference “India, China and the Future of the Media” organised by the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong is of a different kind and belongs to an entirely different league, in terms of the diversities of approaches the Chinese and Indian Scholars have brought to the conference in exploratory and critical modes.
Surprisingly, more so because of the perceptions fed by Indian media and Western media, the critical inputs came more from the side of the Chinese scholars. In one interesting and provocative presentation, Dr Zhan Jiang of the Dept.of International Journalism and Communication, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China contributed to a better understanding of the ethical and moral decadence that has set in Chinese media. He said: “The Chinese media are the most corrupt in the world”. He presented a clear conceptualisation of the nature and characteristics of ethical and moral violations.
Given the antithetical nature of the political environments in China and India, engagements with the issues of the future of media in India and China, defies logic if we do not get out of the ephemeral positions. There is a vast potential for engagement with China and India through the prism of the vexatious question on the future of media in China and India. Given the falsity of the mandated co-presence of universals such as democracy and journalism, many have the notion that an equal plane of engagement may not be possible in this case. But the presenters from China proved otherwise. There are perceptible yearnings to look at the media practices in China with a critical perspective even as they acknowledged that the absence of democratic institutions, as in India, need not be highlighted as a great impediment.
Prof.Shi Anbin from the School of Journalism and Communicaiton, Tsinghua University, China, engaged with that position in the first presentation of the colloquium. He traced the linkages between NWICO, WSIS and the former President of Xinhua news agency proposed as an alternative to the previous frameworks, in the form of UNM. Conceptually, the alternative in the form of UNM makes tremendous sense,but going by the imprints of the “gift culture”, that is peculiar to North Asian countries like Japan, China and SKorea in the UNM, the gifts in the form of awards, as the Chinese want to give to news organisations and journalists across the regions, evokes only imageries of a new fledgling benefactor, taking charge of the universe of international communication.
Looking at the cultural variables in the organisation of international academic conferences, the not so formal and yet perfectly coordinated academic sessions and the sustenance sessions (refreshments and lunch) prove a point for Indians and colleagues from Western countries organising international conferences. There were no chairpersons to ring a bell to curtail the long time taken by the presenters. The host, Prof.Colin Sparks was not tense, even for a moment. Instead of throwing sparks, he was enjoying the moments clicking away them with his bulky camera. No student volunteers to oversee the hall arrangements, except two PhD scholars. The office staff took charge of the arrangements in a discreet way.
The Honk Kong Baptist University, was established by American Baptists, but later transformed in to a state university. It has a sprawling campus, in a land starved Hong Kong, mostly dotted with high rise structures. The student hostels are in multi storey buildings. The foreign student hostel is housed in the NTT international guest house, where the conference participants stayed. I could not find some of the buildings I saw in 2003 during another HKBU hosted conference. In particular, I was pleasantly surprised to find the School of Communication in a 10 storey building, which also houses the public art gallery in the first levels.
While everyone was talking about the media driven approach, I was talking about a cultural and historical approach through the prism of critical communication pedagogies. Many found the historical reflections on the linkages between China and Tamil Nadu/India interesting. Here is the title of my presentation: Understanding China in India: The Cross Cultural Encounters of Chinese Students and China International Radio’s Tamil Division’s Broadcasters in a Multicultural Communication Class Room.
At a time when the words of support for Perumal Murugan and his “Mathorubagan” grows in intensity among the votaries of the freedom of expression in the misplaced context of Roland Barthes’ 1967 notion of “Death of the Author”, we must read the ideological distortions made possible by the coming together of the feudalistic/casteist/capitalistic moorings of our words and deeds in the public spaces.
The following is not to belittle the name and fame of the author who is in news, Perumal Murugan. The following does not engage with the merits of his works or the work that has caused the unwarranted stir among the fundamentalist elements and state actors.The following note is an attempt to engage with what has been misread and what has not been read amidst the words of support and words of acrimony “Mathorubagan” caused. The following is an attempt to invoke the Zizekian logic of Parallax view (2006) to understand what has not been read yet.
Let’s ponder for a while why there was no such outpouring of expressions in Tamil Nadu when two Dalit writers of Pudukottai, Durai.Guna and Ma.Mu.Kannan faced violent attacks on their houses and family members in 2012/2014 for their books Oorar Varaintha Oviyam and Kaana-Inaavin Kanin respectively. Both works infuriated the caste Hindus as they exposed the social decadence and sexual perversions in their villages. Compared to these, what the TN State Government did with its ban order on the book by K.Senthil Mallar, entitled Meendezhum Pandiyar Varalaru, was unprecedented in recent history. The fate of the book would have been probably different if it was not a work of history by a member of oppressed community, despite the alleged casteist orientation. The message of the such a Government Order is more connotative than denotative in throwing the context of post-colonial Tamil Nadu to a past reeking with feudalism and colonialism. It also made a blunt statement: Dalits can not write their versions of history as well as those in the higher echelons of the caste order.
The moot question in the present context, however, looking back on the travails of Durai.Guna , Ma.Mu.Kannan and Senthil Mallar as Dalit authors is: Why we did not witness the travelling of the news of the travails of Durai.Guna, Ma.Mu.Kannan and Senthil Mallar across the country and to the newsrooms of BBC?
Ma.Mu.Kannan had been exiled from his village since 2012. Not that TN newspapers did not report on these attacks, there were stories during October 2014 about the attacks on Durai Guna’s father. There was a judgement by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court directing officials to provide protection to Durai.Guna and his family.
According to Durai Guna, quoted by S.Kumeresan in his article in The New Indian Express (28 10 2014), “I wrote a story in the book titled Oorar Varaindha Oviyam (Art painted by villagers), which was released on July 12 at Gandhi park in Karambakudi. In the book, I narrated various atrocities perpetrated by caste Hindus of the area on Dalits. Since then, several persons have made threat calls to me and my family members, including my father, Duraisamy, and my wife, Gokila.On August 5, a section of Dalit residents, including Thangaraj village panchayat president, P Ganeshan, Pilakurichi village panchayat vice president, Manickam son of Malaiyappan, Sasikumar son of Kaliyaperumal, Sankaran son of Mongan, came and asked me to leave the village. According to them, the caste Hindus were unhappy with their depiction in my book and they wanted me to leave the village along with my family.”
According to Ma.Mu.Kannan, as quoted by B Kolappan, in The Hindu (12 01 2015), “…I could not bear the sight of my collection of books engulfed by fire. I collected them one by one and all these years I would have spent Rs. 3 lakh on them. …One could understand if I am targeted by outsiders. I am a victim of the fury of my own community. …I have written only five per cent of what I have seen and experienced. The villagers might have feared that I will write about other things in the future.”
Before proceeding any further, let me connect with the issue at stake with the logic of Zizekian Parallax. In The Parallax View (2006), Zizek said: “The common definition of parallax is: the apparent displacement of an object (the shift of its position against a background), caused by a change in observational position that provides a new line of sight. The philosophical twist to be added, of course, is that the observed difference is not simply “subjective,” due to the fact that the same object which exists “out there” is seen from two different stations, or points of view. It is rather that, as Hegel would have put it, subject and object are inherently “mediated,” so that an “epistemological” shift in the subject’s point of view always reflects an “ontological” shift in the object itself. Or, to put it in Lacanese, the subject’s gaze is always-already inscribed into the perceived object itself, in the guise of its “blind spot,” that which is “in the object more than object itself,” the point from which the object itself returns the gaze. “Sure, the picture is in my eye, but me, I am also in the picture”: the first part of this Lacan’s statement designates subjectivization, the dependence of reality on its subjective constitution, while its second part provides a materialist supplement, reinscribing the subject into its own image in the guise of a stain (the objectivized splinter in its eye).”
What is the Zizekian Parallax view of the answers to the question in the title of this essay “Why We Seek to Recognise the travails of Perumal Murugans and not Durai.Gunas and Ma.Mu.Kannans or the Falsity of the Logic of “Death of Author.”?
One could not help but wonder about the reasons for the profiles of the struggles of these two Dalit writers from Pudukottai not getting across the TN/Indian/International media as well as fora like The Chennai Book Fair and The Hindu Literary Festival. What probably changed the profile of the struggle of Perumal Murugan is the author/publisher combine and their social networks.
The problem with the issue at stake as captured by the votaries of freedom of expression is not freedom of expression alone. It points to the more deeper sociological divide which makes possible only Zizekian Parallax errors. In the conventional logic, the threat to Perumal Murugan is the denial of right to freedom of expression, as the picture in my head reg.the Perumal Murugan issue tells me. But in the Zizekian logic, this can be displaced to posit that I am also in the picture as a threat alongside Perumal Murugan and the sources of his threats. In other words, there is an “ontological” shift of the object (Perumal Murugan) caused by an “epistemological” shift (by reading Perumal Murugan as no different from the threat he/we seek(s) to ward off). These are also to be seen as sites of mediating objects and subjects in one plane
The ideological divide with regard to the question raised in the title of this essay is not marked by the physical distance between Namakkal and Pudukottai nor Thiruchngode and Kualthiranpattu/Kothamangalam (the villages of Durai.Guna and Ma.Mu.Kannan) as contentious cultural sites nor between the ideological positions of those who caused the “hartal” in Thiruchengode, which purportedly led to the actions of the District Revenue Officer in steering the “peace committee” and the signing of the agreement under “duress” by Perumal Murugan (according to the version of Mr Swaminathan, Advocate, who accompanied Perumal Murugan to the peace committee meeting) leading to the widely circulated imagery of him as “the author who is dead”.
If Durai.Gunas and Ma.Mu.Kannans had the advantage of a publisher Mathorubagan had and the affinity that binds such a publisher with the wider network of the capitalistic enterprise that found its echoes in Chennai Book Fair as well as in the panel discussion at the Hindu Literary Festival and host of other fora, then the news of the travails of the authors like Durai Gunas, Ma.Mu Kannans and Senthil Mallars also would have travelled as far as BBC news rooms. News, after all, is a social product. Any society gets the news it deserves. Any society also gets the protest sites it deserves.
The sad truth of reality today in TN encompasses not just the acts of trampling of the freedom of expression by vested interests, including fundamentalist and state actors or the silence of the mainstream Dravidian political parties in TN (which get the thrashing at the drop of a hat, but are expected to issue notices of support in times of “our crises”), but also acts of those who are unable to look at the fact that there is a Foucauldian power struggle writ large on the visible faces of the votaries of freedom of expression rallying in support of Perumal Murugans and their failure to recognise the faces of Durai.Gunas, Ma.Mu.Kannans and Senthil Mallars.
The enemies of freedom of expression are not outside the web of the political economy of the worlds of publishing and media as well as the sociological (aka casteist) matrix that nourishes them. Why fight the Sangh Parivars as aliens or as a product of the BJP’s inroads in TN, in the wake of power shift in Delhi, when we have them in our primordial million innards in their casteist and religious manifestations for ages?
How many of us who seek to be the votaries of the Perumal Murugans can link Melavazhavu Murugesan’s death during 1997s to the rise of Dalit political parties in TN as well as the continued virulent march of the caste Hindus’ control over the means of existence of the Dalits and the denial of their rights of expressions in 2015? How to link the deaths of six dalits in Melavazhavu Panchayat in 1997 with the “death of dalit authors like Durai.Guna and Ma.Mu.Kannan” in Kualthiranpattu and Kothamangalam that did not register in the same right to freedom of expression radar which made possible the “death of author” in Perumal Murugan?
Once again the answer to such questions is revealed as much by the Zizekian Parallax view as by his notion of the Real, the monster that lies at the interface of the imaginary and symbolic and one that is also inaccessible. The votaries of Perumal Murugans should realise that the monster is “us” and not “them” They must also realise that the Real does not reveal itself that easily as it denies symbolisation and works against the symbolic order. It only does the damage as a clever virus like Ebola and HIV. The Zizekian Real presupposes the presence of “us” and not “them”.
The spirited way to counter the threats Perumal Murugans, Durai.Gunas, Ma.Mu.Kannans, Senthil Mallars and, more importantly, we are faced with is to make our public spaces egalitarian, cosmopolitan,non-feudalistic, non-casteist, inclusive and alienated from the capitalistic mediations of the denial of rights made possible by the late capitalist apparatuses in the worlds of corporate media and neo-liberal (aka corporate) state.
Films are to be seen as the products of society in as much as they are to be seen as products of our times (modernity, post modernity etc.,) as well as cultural and political products.
Understanding films through the theories and concepts of sociology would help us push the limits of conventional film studies. Here is a small introduction about how to understand a concept given by a sociologist like Anthony Giddens before we seek to apply the same to films we watch.
Anthony Giddens is a well known British sociologist whose works, 34 books so far, have introduced us to a different kind of relationship between individuals and large macro processes/entities like modernity and society. He is well known for his concepts of “Structuration”, “Self-Identity” and “Self-Reflexivity.”
In his 1984 book, “The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of Structuration”, he argues that individuals influence the structures and structures influence the agency of the individuals. Both are interdependent and there is no strict cause and effect model. He said “”social structures are both constituted by human agency, and yet at the same time are the very medium of this constitution.”
In his 1991 book, “Modernity and Self Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age” said: “A person’s identity is not to be found in behaviour, nor — important though this is — in the reactions of others, but in the capacity to keep a particular narrative going. The individual’s biography, if she is to maintain regular interaction with others in the day-to-day world, cannot be wholly fictive. It must continually integrate events which occur in the external world, and sort them into the ongoing ‘story’ about the self.”
What is the nature of Anthony Gidden’s notion of “Self Reflexivity” (1991)? According to his notion, the transition from traditional to modern phase of societies works on our responses as individuals to the risks and opportunities the the age of modernity has introduced. Our responses are self-reflexive expressions in order to fit ourselves in a secure relationship in our social settings vis a vis the risks.
The reasons could range from the absence of a English-speaking middle class to the corporate media that seek to commodify anything and everything to keep their cash registers ringing and a growing fascination among the English speaking middle class “intelligentsia” for locating the local history as a product of the British colonial period and other factors of post-coloniality.
Think twice when you hear/read next time “Madras 365/366…375 birth days”.
Here are some magnificent views of muttram/valavu (courtyard) and other spaces from the Kanadukathan Palace, Karaikudi, conceived and built by Raja Annamalai Chettiar in 1912. Raja Annamalai Chettiar also founded the Annamalai University (which during 1930-1970 gave a sound intellectual challenge to University of Madras) and Indian Bank. A true visionary!
While the Chennai media are fascinated by the likes of Chisholms and their Indo-Saracenic beauties, the mansions and palaces of Karaikudi are probably having their resounding laughs while expressing their magnificent architectural canvas that is rooted in the traditional Tamil Nadu architecture, with a wide ranging sources of influences from East Asia to Europe.
I.Thamizh Thengu, Ed.G Ravindran and Su.Thamizhvelu, ‘R’ All India Research Institution,December 2014.
ii. Communication in Contemporary Tamil Society(Eds. Gopalan Ravindran and Nallamur K Periyannan), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and All India Tamil Writers Association, Chennai, July 2016 pp.1-9. ISBN 9788190787901
iii) Deleuzian and Guattarian Approaches to Contemporary Communication Cultures in India,Ed.Gopalan Ravindran, Springer. March 2020. ISBN 9789811521393.
Book Chapters
i) ”Conceptualising Transnational Cinemas:Some Reflections,” in Mass Media: Diversity in Changing Times,Yusoff, Mohammed et.al (Ed.), Pulau Penang:Universiti Sains Malaysia Press. Nov. 2006.
ii) “Communication Studies in the Age of Blogospheres: The Contexts and Challenges,” in the book Blinded by the Lights: Journalism and Communication Study in Malaysia since 1971, UPENA, Malaysia, 2008.
iii).“Moral Panics and Mobile Phones: The Cultural Politics of New Modernity in India,” in Living the Information Society in Asia, , Ed.Erwin Alampay, Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) and IDRC (Canada), Singapore,2009.ISBN 9789812308733.
iv) “David Lynch” in Zizek Dictionary, Ed. Rex Butler, Acumen Publishers, London, UK, August 2014.ISBN 9.781844655823.
v)“James Carey’s Concept and the Cultural Challenges of Tamil Journalism”, in the book Thamizh Thengu, Ed.G Ravindran and Su.Thamizhvelu, ‘R’ All India Research Institution,December 2014.
vi) “2014 Indian General Election and Partisan and Fictional Narratives in Indian Language Press”, in India Election 2014: First Reflections,Eds.Einar Thorsen and Chindu Sreedharan, Bournemouth University, UK.pp.2014-219. ISBN 978-1-910042-05-2.
vii) “Narrative Strategies and Communication of Values Through Tamil Epic Tradition Films of A P Nagarajan, with Ms Rashmi Raja as Co-Author, in the book entitled Media, Youth and Values Ed.J.Josephine,2015.
viii)“Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Media and Friedrich Kittler’s Concepts”, in the book Kuyil, (Eds. K.Radhakrishnan and Su.Thamizhvelu), “R” Research Forum, Chennai, December 2015. pp.64-68. ISBN 9789385349041
ix)“Radio as Today’s Remnant of the Primal Voice,” in the book Chinese Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspective, (Eds.Thanga.Jaysakthivel and Kalaimagal), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and CRI/CIBN, People’s Republic of China, January 2016. pp.141-145.
x)“That was a Spring Season for Voices: Rudolph Arnheim’s Theoretical Arguments of Formalism and 20th Century Tamil Nadu’s Great Voices,”, in the book Sri Lankan Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspectives, (Ed. Thanga.Jaysakthivel),Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, April 11 2016.
xi)“Journalism For People” in Muttram: Redefining Journalism With Children of Marginalised Communities”, in the book Communication in Contemporary Tamil Society(Eds. Gopalan Ravindran and Nallamur K Periyannan), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and All India Tamil Writers Association, Chennai, July 2016 pp.1-9. ISBN 9788190787901
xii) “Understanding Angry Drummers with Vertov, Deleuze and Guattari and Giddens”,Thamizh Cilampu, “R” All India Research Association, Chennai.December 2016.
xiii)“Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Media and Friedrich Kittler’s Concepts”, in the book Kuyil, (Eds. K.Radhakrishnan and Su.Thamizhvelu), “R” Research Forum, Chennai, December 2015. pp.64-68.ISBN 9789385349041
xiv)“Radio as Today’s Remnant of the Primal Voice,” in the book Chinese Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspective, (Eds.Thanga.Jaysakthivel and Kalaimagal), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and CRI/CIBN, People’s Republic of China, January 2016. pp.141-145.
xv)“That was a Spring Season for Voices: Rudolph Arnheim’s Theoretical Arguments of Formalism and 20th Century Tamil Nadu’s Great Voices,”, in the book Sri Lankan Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspectives, (Ed. Thanga.Jaysakthivel),Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, April 11 2016.
xvi)“Sangam Age Communication Traditions – From Contemporary Perspective“, in Thamizh Sippi,(Eds.R.Sampath and J.Kalaivani), “R” Research Centre and Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture, Pondicherry, December 2017.pp.101-106.
xvii) “South African Tamils and Tamil Cinema: Rethinking Diasporic Subjectivities with Dziga Vertov, Gilles Deleuze and Harold Innis,”Absences, Silences and the Margin: A Mosaic of Voices on the Indian Diaspora,Ed.Samuel Asir Raj, Suraji Mukhopadhyay and Nadarajah,Yathumahi Publications, Chennai.2018.
xviii) “Three Tamil Diasporic Women’s One Mission:Discover New Identities,” in Women in the Indian Diaspora, Ed.Amba Pande, pp.105-118. Springer 2018.ISBN 978-981-10-5950-6.
xix) “Materialities of Noise, Sound and Radio,” in Multiple Perspectives on BBC Radio, Ed. Thanga Jaisakthivel, pp.08-20.Tesla 2019.
xx)“The Rhizomatic Constructions of Gandhi on Web 2.0”, in Gandhian Thought and Communication:Rethinking the Mahatma in the Media Age.Ed. Biswajit Das. Sage.2019. ISBN 9789353286699.
xxi) “The Dialectical Processes of Social Media: Towards Hegel and Away from Hegel”, in Communication 4.0 – Communication in a Digital Age. Ed.Upendra Padhi, Utkal University.2019.ISBN 9789353910464.
xxii) “Spatialities and Structures of Feelings of Burmese Tamils. During the “Long March” of 1942: A Gendered Perspective” in Indentured and Post-Indentured Experiences of Women in the Indian Diaspora, Ed.Amba Pande, Springer, 2020. ISBN 9789811511769
xxiii) “Jallikattu Uprising: Rhizomatic Spatialities, Protesting Bodies and Controls,” in Deleuzian and Guattarian Approaches to Contemporary Communication Cultures in India, Ed.Gopalan Ravindran, Springer, March 2020. ISBN 9789811521393.
xxiv) “Crisis Heterotopia” and “Aura” of the Srilankan Tamils in the Diaspora Narrative of Kannathil Muthamittal” in Tamil Diaspora: Intersectionality of Migration, Religion, Language and Culture, Ed.Peter Vedanayagamony, GDN, USA. Forthcoming 2020.
Journal Articles
i.”An Analysis of the Divergence of Press Opinion and Polled Opinion on National Issues”,ICCTR Journal, India, Vol.III Nos.1-2.1988.
ii.”New Media and Politics: An Analysis of the Campaign Videos of a Regional Political Party in India”,Forum of International Development Studies, Nagoya University, March 1994.
iii.“Transnationalisation of Television in Asia: Trends and Issues”,World Bulletin, University of Philippines. May-Aug.1994.
iv.”Review of Sara Dickey’s Cinema and Urban Poor”,Azia Keizai, Tokyo, 1994.Co-author: Hiroshi Yamashita.
v.”Self, Body, Language and Digital Identities:Readings from Indian Chat Rooms,”Asian Studies,Vol.40. No.1, University of Philippines, Manila. 2004.
vi.”Zizek’s The Fright of Real Tears:Theory, Post-Theory and Kieslowski,”Jurnal Skrin Malaysia, Vol.II No.2 2005.
vii.”Merleau-Ponty, Godard, Sobchack and the Spatial Aesthetics of Rashomon”, Jurnal Skrin Malaysia, Vol.III No.1 2006.
viii.”Zizek’s The Fright of Real Tears:Theory, Post- Theory and Kieslowski,”International Journal of Zizek Studies, Vol.I No.3 2007 (republication).
ix.”The Rhizomatic Flows of Transnational Tamil Cinema in Asia and Web 2.0”, Philippine Sociological Review, Vol.55 Jan.-Dec.2007.
x.“Malaysian Tamils and Transnational Tamil Cinema: Diasporic Identities, Crisis Heterotopia and Aura”,Jurnal Skrin Malaysia,Vol.5, Issue 2, 2008.
xi.”Review of The Matrix of Visual Culture: Working with Deleuze in Film Theory,”Bright Lights Film Journal, Issue 63 Feb. 2009.
xii.”Mobile Phone Intimacies and Moral Panics in India”,Plaridel,University of Philippines, Vol.7 No.2, August 2010.
xiii.”Rethinking the Growth of Indian Press,” Media Development,WACC,Toronto March 2013.
xiv.”Singing Bodies and ‘Movement Images’ in a 1937 Tamil Film: A Deleuzian Perspective,”Journal of Creative Communication, Sage,Vol.6 March 2011 (issued in September 2013).
xv.”100 Years of Indian Cinema: Whose Cinema? Whose Centenary? – The Politics of Temportal Film Historiography”, Deep Focus Cinema,Vol.1 No.4 2013.
xvi)“Democracy, Elections and Print Media in India: At the Intersections of Fictionalised and Partisan Narratives”,Journal of Public Affairs and Change, Winter 2017.
xvii) “Philosophical and Anthropological Explorations of Digital/MNew Media Materialities”,Mizoram University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol.III Issue 2, December 2017.pp.1-7. Available at http://mzuhssjournal.in/archive/28-archive/34-v3n2.html
xix) “Rhetorical Bodies and Movement-Images in the 1949 Tamil FilmVelaikari (House Maid)”,Deleuze and Guattari Studies,Edinburgh University Press,12 (1), pp.45-65.2018.
xx)“Human Rights and Contemporary Indian Journalism: Towards a ‘Journalism for People’,Human Rights Education in Asia-Pacific, Vol.8.2018.Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Centre, Osaka, Japan.
xxii) “The Benevolence of MGR, Subaltern Audiences and the Tamil Nadu State,”
Journal of Public Affairs and Change (JPAC) 1 (2), 164-174.
Discussion Papers
i.”Random Notes on Some Issues in Communication”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. March 1994.
ii“Transnationalisation of Television in Asia: Trends and Issues”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. March 1994.
iii.”Inventing Truth: Conflicts as Content in US News Media”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. Aug. 1994.
Magazines
i).”The Contributions of Prof.K.Sivathamby to Tamil Film Studies,”Padapetti,No.4 August 2011.
ii) ”Problems in Tamil Journalism: An Historical Analysis.”Ilaignar Muzhakkam,2012.
iii) ”Germany’s Philosopher Nietzsche and Thanthai Periyar”,Sinthanaiyalan, Annual Volume, January 2018,pp.161-165.
iv) “Karl Marx and Thanthai Periyar: From a Communication Perspective”,
iv) “Liberal Arts: The Lost Idea of a University”, Times of India, EducationTimes, Chennai, June 07,2010.
Proceedings/Conference Reports
i) “Folk Culture and Communication”, Proceedings of the 15th conference of the Association ofAll India Tamil Teachers, Annamalainagar,1983.Co-author: C Pichandy.
ii) ”Technology Intensive Journalism Learning Environment”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Strengthening Journalism Education in South Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1997. Co-author: Vaidyanathan Natarajan.
iii) ”Connecting Villagers: Digitally Driven News and Social Development in India”,International Conference on Digital News, Social Change and Globalisation,Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Dec.2003. Available at http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/jour/DN2003/programme.html
iv) Negotiating Identities in the Diasporic Space: Transnational Tamil Cinema and Malaysian Indians,”Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Space and Public Sphere in Asia (CSPS), Seoul, South Korea, March 2006.*
v) Transnational Tamil Cinema as a Foucauldian Heterotopia: Diasporic Narratives, Identities and Malaysian Indians”, Proceedings of Whither the Orient:Asians in Asian and Non-Asian Cinema,2006 Asia Culture Forum, Gwangju, South Korea, Oct. 2006.
Podcasts
i) “Media Literacy in Marginalised Communities of South India”, Asian Ethnology Podcast, Interviewer: Dr Ben Dorman, Nanzan University, Japan. https://asianethnology.org/page/podcastravindran. March 06 2020.
I) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Journalism and Communication,University of Madras (First candidate to earn a PhD in Journalism/Communication in Tamil Nadu and one of the first to be awarded the same in a South Indian University.). Period: September 1984 – December 1991.
ii) Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Journalism and Communication, University of Madras.Period: September 1982 –January 1984.
III) Master of Arts (MA) Communication,University of Madras. Period: July 1980 – July 1982.
IV) Bachelor of Science (BSc) Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College (affiliated to University of Madras). Period:July 1977 – April 1980.
I) Professor, Dept.of Media and Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, since October 26 2020.
Teaching: Communication Histories, Kavery Delta Sound Cultures, Performing Arts and Communication in South India, Critical Communication Studies, Traditions and Theories and Concepts in Communication.
II) Dean, School of Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, since September 15 2021.
III)Head, Dept.of Media and Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu during December 03 2020-January 08 2024.
IV) Professor and Head, Dept. of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, Chennai, between July 2008 – June 2020.
Taught: Film Studies, Cross Cultural Communication, News Editing and Writing, Critical Theories and Philosophies, Mobile Phone Communication and Digital Cultures.
V) Visiting Research Fellow, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan (Jan.31 2020-March 30 2020).
Area of Research: Performing Arts, Communication and Conviviality.
VI) Reader, Dept. of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Jan.1995-July 2008. Served as Head of the Dept. during 1996-2002.
Taught: Film Studies, New Media Production, Technical Communication and Mass Communication and Society.
VII) Lecturer in Film and Broadcasting, School of Communication,Universiti Sains Malaysia,Pulau Penang, Malaysia (June 2002-April 2005 on lien from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University).
Taught: Film Theory and Method, Screen Production, Film History and Television Genre Analysis.
VIII) Visiting Fellow, Dept. of International Communication, Nagoya University, Japan (1993-1994).
Taught: International Communication, Asian Cinemas, and Cross-Cultural Communication.
IX) Lecturer, Dept. of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, Chennai, India, during 1984- 1989. (with breaks)
X) Lecturer, Dept. of Communication, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore (1993-Short Period).
I) Member-Syndicate – Governing Council(Elected Member for the Second Time),University of Madras, during March 2012 – March 2018.
II) Member-Syndicate – Governing Council (Nominated Member),Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, during 2005-2008.
III) Member – Senate (Nominated Member),University of Madras, during July 2008- June 2020 .
IV) Member – Academic Council(Nominated Member),University of Madras, during July 2008-June 2020.
V) Member-Syndicate (Governing Council)Teaching and Research Sub CommitteeUniversity of Madras, during March 2012 – March 2015.
VI) Member-Syndicate (Governing Council)Building Sub Committee,University of Madras, during March 2012 – March 2018.
VII) Member-Syndicate (Governing Council)Accounts and Audit Sub-Committee University of Madras, during March 2012 – March 2015.
VIII) Member – Senate (Nominated Member),Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, during 1996-2002 and 2005-2008.
IX) Member – Standing Committee on Academic Affairs (Nominated Member),Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, during 1996-2002 and 2005-2008.
X) Campus Director – Chepauk Main Campus, University of Madras, Served as the Campus Director, Chepauk Main Campus during March 2013-March.2015 and February 2016 – March 2018.
XI) Dean-Academic, University of Madras, during 2011-2012.
XII) Dean – School of Information and Communication Studies, University of Madras, during 2009-2011, 2015- 2017. And from September 2018 – June 2020.
XIII) General Secretary – Madras University Teachers’ Association during 2012- September 13 2017.
XIV) President – Madras University Teachers’ Association during September 14 2017 – January 09 2019.
XV) Head of the Dept. of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, during July 2008 – June 2020.
XVI) Co-ordinator, Special Assistance Programme (SAP), University Grants Commission (UGC), Dept. of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, during 2016 – June 2020.
XVII) Head of the Dept.of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University during 1996-2002.
XVIII) President – Madras University Teachers’ Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society during April 2013 – April 2018.
XIX) President – Association of Communication Teachers – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT-TNP) during March 2010 – March 2016.
XX) General Secretary – Association of Communication Teachers – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT-TNP) during 30 March 2016 06 January 2022.
XXI) Secretary – All India Communication and Media Association (AICMA), New Delhi, since May 2015.
XXII) Council Member, Asia Pacific Communication Alliance, since 2018.
XXIII) Head, Dept.of Media and Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu during December 03 2020-January 08 2024.
XXIV) Dean, School of Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu, since September 15,2021.
XXV) Member, Academic Council, Central University of Tamil Nadu, since March 02, 2021.
XXVI) Chief Vigilance Officer (part-time), Central University of Tamil Nadu, since July 27,2022.
I)Awarded the “Aravanar Achievement Award 2016” by the Aravanar Research Foundation on 13 08 2016.
II) Awarded the “Academic Achievement Award 2012” of University of Madras in 2012.
III) Won the Best Paper Award at Whither the Orient:Asians in Asian and Non-Asian Cinema, 2006 Asia Culture Forum, Gwangju, South Korea, Oct.26-29, 2006.
Member of University Grants Commission (UGC)/ NationalCommittees
I) Member, UGC Expert Committee on Learning Outcome Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) in Journalism and Mass Communication,since August 2018.
II) Member,UGC Expert Committee, to consider de-novo deemed University status for the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, November 29,2017.
III)Member,UGC Expert Committee, Noida International University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, February 23-24,2015.
Member, Academic Audit Committee, Dept.of Communication, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, Central University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, on April 04-06 2018.
Areas of Research Interests Critical Theories and Philosophies, Political Economy of Journalism and Communication, Spatiality, Temporality and Materiality of Communication, Critical Pedagogies in Journalism and Communication, Film Cultures, Digital Cultures and Diasporic Cultures.
I have supervised Ten PhD candidates and enabled them to complete their work and receive their degrees. Seven candidates are presently working under my supervision for their doctoral research.
Research Projects
Principal Investigator, E-Content Project in Mass Communication, UGC (for the paper History of Mass Communication) November 2014 – March 2018). Rs 7.00 Lakhs. Completed on schedule in March 2018.
Co-investigator in the international project on “Cultivating Futures: The Social Life of Youths in Chennai” funded by New Zealand India Research Institute, New Zealand. Principal Investigator: Dr Vijay Devadas, Otago University, New Zealand.Grant Value: NZ dollars 40000.2014.
Co-investigator in the national project on “Mediated Publics and Machines of Democracies” conducted by the Centre for Media, Culture and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi. Funded by Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. (2010-14).Grant Value: 37 Lakhs.Principal Investigator:Dr Biswajit Das, Director, Centre for Media, Culture and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi.
Completed Individual Research Projects – International
Cinemaand Tamil Diaspora: Exploring the Negotiations in the Diasporic Space by the Tamil Cinema Audience in Malaysia. School of Communication,Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM Short Term Research Project No.304/PCOMM/635036. 2003-April 2005.Principal Investigator.
Engaging Malaysian Indian Youth with Television Literacy:Reading the Family in the Television Serial “Chithi”.School of Communication,Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM Research Project, 2005. Co-Investigator.
Completed Collaborative Research Projects – International
“Project India” – A Collaborative Research and Journalism Initiative during Indian Parliamentary Elections 2014”. Lead Investigator: Dr Chindu Sreedharan,School of Journalism, English and Communication, Bournemouth University, UK. March – April 2014.“ http://www.project-india.com/”
“Media Action Against Rape ” – A Collaborative Research and Journalism Initiative of Bournemouth University, U.K. and UNESCO.. Lead Investigators: Dr Chindu Sreedharan and Dr Einar Thorsen, School of Journalism, English and Communication,, Bournemouth University, UK.2018-2020.
I) Close Your Eyes (30 min.1997). The film attempts to capture the aspirations and dreams of blind children in a south Indian town.The film was directed by R.R Srinivasan.
II) Ruins (21min.1998). The film adopts a post-modern style in speaking through the ruins of an ancient temple and the sprightly lives and sounds of bats. Both films were produced in association with colleagues in the Dept.of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.The film was directed by R.R Srinivasan.
As Content Director
I) Anna 100 (133 min. 2009). The research documentary was made to mark the centenary of the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Dravidian Movement pioneer, C N Annadurai. The film was directed by R.R Srinivasan.
II) Horkheimer in Action (35 min.2023). The documentary focuses on the life and contributions of Prof.Terada Yoshitaka, the foremost among the recent Japanese anthropologists who helped to redefine the relationships between performing arts, academia and marginalised communities in Japan, India and Philippines.
As E-content Principal Investigator
History of Mass Communication, UGC e-PGpadashala, 2017.
I) Enabled the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, to get UGC’sSpecial Assistance Programme (SAP) in 2016.
II) Enabled the Dept.of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, to win the First prize in International Journalism Competition 1998, conducted by UNESCO,for the first time in India.
III) Started the innovative research series, Media and Society Seminar Series,in University of Madras, to promote exchange of ideas between young scholars and leading Indian and Foreign scholars in 2008. More than 100 seminars have been conducted so far.
IV) Started the first online classes using Facebook for students of Film Studies, Tamil Journalism, Critical Theories and Philosophies, News Writing and Editing, Mobile Phone Communication and Digital Cultures
V) Started Muttram, the students’ folk and theatre arts group as the first “Class outside Class” to empower and integrate students from marginalised social and income backgrounds and to teach them communication and journalistic skills through theatre and folk arts as an experiment in critical communication pedagogy.
VI) Guided the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, to introduce a curriculum rooted in Indian/Tamil Nadu cultural ethos and global perspectives in 2013 for MA, MJ and MPhil programmes.
VII) Guided the Dept. of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, in launching technology intensive learning modules and innovative subjects of study such as Technical Communication, Conflict Resolution Communication.
VIII) Guided the Dept. of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, in the revamping of the course structure at the Master’s level and introduced many new programmes as a part of the Choice-Based Credit System for the first time in India.1996.
IX) The First Development Communication Newspaper from a University Dept. in India, Ooraga Uravu (Community Relations), was started at the Dept.of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, to network Development workers under my editorship.1997.
X) Conductedtwo major public opinion polls and one candidate poll in association with Dinamalar, a leading Tamil Daily, during 1999-2001.
XI) Founded the Shutter Bugs Club in the Dept. of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, during 2000 to promote and hone photography, cinematography and visual communication skills of students.
XII) Started the Masters Class Series in 2013. Organised two masters classes.
XIII) Started the first Class Outside Class in 2009 for the benefit of I MA and MJ students.
XIV) Started Tamil Philosophers and Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze ResearchCircle as a “Class outside Class”to promote the teaching of Eastern and WesternCommunication Philosophies to young scholars and teachers in 2017.
XV) Started the Key Frameworks Lecture Series in 2018 to introduce key critical thinkers to young scholars.
XVI) Started the Critical Readings Lecture Series in 2018 to cultivate critical reading skills in young scholars.
XVII) Started the Therukoothu Workshop Series in Muttram. This workshop series was organised to cultivate and promote through Therukoothu, traditional Tamil streettheatre public speakingskills, memory skills and mind/body coordination.
XVIII) Started the Critical CommunicationStudies Lecture Series at the Dept.of Media and Communication, Central University of Tamil Nadu, on April 09 2021.
Details of Lecture Series in the “Class Outside Class” Mode for Young Scholars
Key Frameworks Lecture Series @ the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras by Gopalan Ravindran
Lecture 01Theodor Adorno06 09 2018
Lecture 02Theodor Adorno07 09 2018
Lecture 03Theodor Adorno1409 2018
Lecture 04Theodor Adorno04 10 2018
Lecture 05Theodor Adorno05 11 2018
Lecture 06 Stuart Hall14 032019
Lecture 07 Stuart Hall 15 07 2019.
Lecture 08 Antonio Gramsci 22 07 2019
Lecture 09 Antonio Gramsci 29 07 2019
Lecture 10 Antonio Gramsci 05 08 2019
Lecture 11 Antonio Gramsci 12 08 2019
Lecture 12 Antonio Gramsci 1908 2019
Lecture 13 Louis Althusser26 08 2019
Lecture 14 Louis Althusser 02 09 2019
Lecture 15 Louis Althusser 16 09 2019
Lecture 16 Louis Althusser14 10 2019
Lecture 17 George Lukacs29 10 2019
Lecture 18 George Lukacs0411 2019
Lecture 19 George Lukacs1211 2019
Lecture20George Lukacs25 11 2019
Lecture21Walter Benjamin0912 2019
Lecture22Walter Benjamin2412 2019
Lecture23Walter Benjamin0701 2020
Lecture24Walter Benjamin 2401 2020
Lecture25Karl Marx 0205 2020. Online.
“Reading Young Marx and Althusse’s Reading Capital for Communication Research”
Lecture26Karl Marx 05 052020.Online.
“Alienation, Fetishism and Communication”
Lecture 27 Karl Marx 10 01 2021.Online.
“Alienation and Reification”
Lecture 28 Henri Lefebvre 16 01 2021.Online.
“The Production of Space” First Chapter -“Plan of the Present Work”.
Lecture 29 Guy Debord 25 01 2021.Online.
“Understanding Alienation, Reification and Spectacle with Guy Debord”.
Critical Readings Lecture Series @ the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras by Gopalan Ravindran
04 07 2018Western and Indian Conceptions of Research
10 07 2018Communication and Anthropology
19 07 2018 On Walter Benjamin – “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”
11 08 2018 Henri Lefebvre’s Spatial Production and Gilles Deleuze’s Territorialisation and Deterritorialisation
11 102018 On Walter Benjamin – “Doctrine of the Similar”
02 08 2019 On Vanamamalai
08 08 2019 On Vanamamalai
26 07 2019 On Cultural Studies
13 09 2019 Jameson’s Post Modernism or The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism
20 09 2019Jameson’s Post Modernism or The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism
11 10 2019 Works of Klug and Negt
07 11 2019Jean Baudrillard’s War Pornography
13 12 2019 Jean Baudrillard’s System of Objects
19 12 2019 On Research Writing
12 05 2020 Place, Space and Communication in the Age of Modernity
19 09 2020 On Interpretation – Clifford Geertz’s “The Interpretation of Culture”
01 11 2020
27 12 2020 Writing for PhD
02 01 2021
10 01 2021
Lectures for PhD Candidates@ the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras by Gopalan Ravindran
01 08 2019
19 12 2019
26 12 2019
27 01 2020
Deleuze and Guattari Orientation Lectures 2017
Lecture I 20 10 2017How to work with D&G’s philosophies and concepts?
Lecture II29 10 2017How to work with D&G’s philosophies and concepts?
Lecture Series on Sound 2017
Lecture I 04 05 2017 11.30 am – 4.00 pm
Lecture II 16 05 2017 11.30 am – 4.00 pm
Lecture III 01 06 2017 11.30 am – 4.00 pm
Lecture IV 19 08 2017 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Lecture Series on Space and Time 2015-2016
Special Lecture I 05 02 2015
Lecture I 14 01 2016 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Lecture II05 02 2016 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Lecture III 21 02 2016 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Lecture IV11 05 2016 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Lecture V 04 07 2016 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Lecture VI 18 08 2016 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Lecture VII11 11 2016 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Therukoothu Workshop Series in Muttram. This workshop series was organised to cultivate and promote through Therukoothu public speaking communication skills, memory skills and mind/body coordination. Veteran Therukoothu artist and teacher, Thiru Kamalakannan and Therukoothu artist, Thiru Rooban were the resource persons.
Workshop 1on September 03 2018
Workshop 2on September 04 2018
Workshop 3on September 06 2018
Workshop 4on September 10 2018
Workshop 5on September 15 2018
Workshop 6on September 09 2018
Workshop 7on October 10 2018
Workshop 8on November 15 2018
Workshop 9on November 21 2018
Workshop 10on December 02 2018
Workshop 11on December 18 2018
Workshop 12on December 19 2018
Class Before Class – Long Duration Orientation Programme for I MA and MJ students 2018
I have been evincing keen interest in creating and nurturing innovative and critical pedagogical methods to teach journalism and communication to students from marginalised communities, neighbourhoods and economic/social backgrounds for nearly 25 years. These students are first generation graduates and when they enter the Masters’ level courses, they find themselves in a difficult learning environment in a metropolitan university such as University of Madras, where students from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds and foreign countries study. The challenges are mostly on account of the English-centric higher education system, a time table driven class room engagements and its examination oriented approach. The students who struggled to study despite their social and economic hardships in schools which did not have the English-centric environment see themselves as unworthies and become “slow” or “indifferent” learners in the eyes of the formal higher education system. The formal class room becomes their battle ground instead of becoming a learning ground.
These students are otherwise bubbling with native communication and creative talents which are not revealed to themselves nor do their teachers. They are also divided on the lines of caste, religion and other divisive factors. To counter these divisive factors and to instil in this group of students a sense of self esteem and the need to discover their communication and creative potential, a folk and theatre arts group, Muttram, was started as a site of critical communication pedagogical initiatives on November 25 2009. Muttram is an important architectural element in traditional Tamil/South Indian architecture. It is a courtyard inside the house which is open to the sky and allows the natural elements to come into contact with the members of the household. The members of the household gather in Muttram and engage in conversation in Muttram, in the company of the natural elements of sunlight, wind, rain water etc.,
The initiative of using theatre and local folk arts to teach journalism and communication students is the first of its kind in the world of journalism and communication education. The students are made to work with Parai, a circular leather drum, which is also seen as an ‘untouchable’ instrument as it is associated with the dalit community. When students from different social backgrounds get together drumming this instrument, they feel a strong sense of empowerment, loyalty to themselves and the group and more importantly, they find their sense of self confidence and self esteem. The beating of the Parai in the open spaces and courtyards of the University of Madras has empowered not only the members of Muttram, but scores of employees, students from other departments and the general public as they find a sense of cultural fulfilment in a University environment which has not seen or heard Parai during the 162 years of the existence of University of Madras. These students are made to travel widely and learn to interact with people and experience communication and journalism contexts on the go. The folk and theatre arts group creates as many meaningful journalism and communication class rooms as there are activities and journeys. These students also learn the values of honesty, sincerity and handwork. When such students become journalists, they not only outshine the students who learn journalism only in the class room, but become trendsetters in different areas of journalism and communication.
Muttram anniversaries are marked by more than 8 hour long folk and theatre arts programme by the students and professionals. The 10th anniversary of Muttram was observed with a focus on the traditional street theatre, Therukoothu. For the first time in University of Madras, the full format night long performance of Therukoothu was held.
II) Journalism for People
Journalism is a rapidly changing profession. It is also seen as the site that is driven by the logic of corporate profit. Over the years, Indian journalism has alienated itself from the majority who are struggling to find and manage their sources of livelihood. One small step forward we have initiated in University of Madras’ Dept.of Journalism and Communication is the non-institutionalised project, Journalism for the People, started in 2015. At present, members of Muttram are working with people and children of several marginalised communities in Tamil Naduto transform the children of marginalised peopleas future journalists. Journalism for the People is seen as the need of the hour. The project wishes to help the children of marginalised people to become journalism students, journalists, film makers, poets, short story writers, novelists, photographers, artists etc., Journalism for the People project will be a change agent for the future generations of the marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu/India. This project is driven by the passion of the members of the theatre and folk arts group, Muttram (Courtyard), which seeks to leverage folk and theatre arts for the cause of human rights awareness and people-centric journalistic practices. Journalism for the People is to be seen as a community journalism project which works for the empowerment of children and youth of marginalised communities in Kunamkuppam, Koraikuppam, Jameelabad villages in Pazhaverkadu(fishing region); Muthanurvillage in Yelagiri(tribal region); Mannurvillage, Kalvarayan Hills, Salem (tribal region); Buddhavedu, Chennai (tribal region); Karambai village, (farming region) and Idinthakarai, Tirunelveli (fishing region); Lock Nagar and Satya Nagar, neighbourhoods of the urban poor in the vicinity of University of Madras, Chennai was launched in February 2016 with the support of faculty and student volunteersto train them in journalism and communication skills to help them publish/start their own community newspapers/media and to inspire children and youth of marginalised communities to pursue their education beyond school level and take to journalism studies.
This year saw the expansion of the geographical territory ofJournalism for the People project to Sri Lanka, particularly in regions where Tamils are living in good numbersuch as Jaffna,Trincomallee and Batticaloa. The fourth International Tamil Journalism conference was organised during the first week of April 2019 to spread awareness among journalists and students in northern Sri Lankaabout thecommunity and people driven journalism project, Journalism for the People.
III) Media and Society Seminar Series (M&SSS)
An innovative research oriented seminar series titled “Media and Society Seminar Series” was conceived when I rejoined University of Madras in July 2008 after a gap of more than 15 years. The series was launched in August 2008 with the objective of providing a research forum for faculty, students and scholars in Tamil Nadu and outside Tamil Nadu to engage themselves with the research works of scholars from India and abroad. The seminar series does not use the conventional seminar format in India wherein papers by individuals are presented. The seminar series’ format is inspired by the famous seminars of scholars and philosophers in Europe where one scholar engages with his/her topic. This forum also provides scope to engage with media and communication interfaces of extension and social development. More than 100 seminars/workshops/orientation programmes have been organised so far.
2008
1) Performing Arts and the Empowerment of Marginalised Communities, Prof. Yoshitaka Terada, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan, 28 08 2008.
2) Bharathi in Media Perspectives, Prof. A R Venkatachalapathy, MIDS: Mr G Rajasekaran IAS,Director, RGNYD, 31 10 2008.
2009
3) TV Ramasubbaiyer Centenary Seminar I, Dr R Krishnamurthy, Editor, Dinamalar; Dr K P Aravanan, Former Vice Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, 25 03 2009.
4) TV Ramasubbaiyer Centenary Seminar II, Dr R Krishnamurthy, Editor,Dinamalar; Dr E Sundaramurthy,, Former Vice Chancellor, Tamil University, Thanjavur, 21 08 2009.
5) Photographs as Processes and Artefacts, Prof. Frank Heidemann, University of Munich.18 09 2009.
6) Urban Space, Urban Poor and the Media, Seminar on the Urban Poor in Chennai. 30 10 2009.
7) Marginalised Performing Artists and Communication Skills Through Marginalised Performing Arts,25 11 2009.
8) New Directions in Documentary Filmmaking, Seminar with Marc Huraux, a well known documentary filmmaker from France.10 12 2009.
2010
9)Searching for the Origins of Cinema in Colonial India, Dr Stephen Hughes, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 03 02 2010.
10) Women in Contemporary Tamil Society, International Women’s Day Seminar. 10 03 2010.
11) Revisiting the Information Revolution and Web 2.0: Who is on First, Habermas or Foucault?Prof. Daniel Drache, York University, Canada.01 11 2010.
2011
12) Tamil Journalism Workshop 2011, organised in association with the Media Resources and Training Centre, University of Jaffna. 05 01 2011.
13) Buraku Taiko:Drumming for Empowerment in Japan,Prof.Yoshitaka Terada, Professor, National Museum of Ethnology,Japan.28 02 2011.
14) From Mass Communication to Communication Studies; A Paradigm Shift, Dr Biswajit Das, Director, Centre for Media, Culture and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, 01 03 2011.
15) Women in Work Environments, international women’s day seminar.16 03 2011.
Tamil Journalism Workshop 2011, organised in association with the Media Resources and Training Centre, University of Jaffna. 20-23 10 2011.
16) Communication Education at the Cross Roads, Prof.K V Nagaraj, Dept.of Mass Communication, Assam University. 21 10 2012.
17) Socially Responsible Journalism: Going Beyond the Call of Justice Markandeya Katju, Seminar on National Press Day. 16 11 2011.
2012
18) Ethnology of Communication, Performing Arts and Marginialisation, Dr Yoshitaka Terada, Professor, National Museum of Ethnology, Japan, 05 01 2012.
19) Television Production:Challenges and Strategies, Dr Indira Somani, Washington and Lee University, USA. 09 01 2012.
20) Transformations of an Academic as an Actor: Some Reflections, Dr Vaidyanathan Natarajan, Periyar University.23 01 2012.
21) Reinventing Film Studies: Cinema and Tamil Migrant Workers. Dr Vijay Devadas, Dept.of Media, Film and Communication, Otago University, New Zealand. 27 01 2012.
22) Knowledge Gaps and Media Effects Research, Prof.Heinz Bonfadelli, Institute for Mass Communication and Media Research, Zurich University, 01 03 2012.
23) Sociology of Migration, Dr Annalies Debrunner, Debrunner Research Projects, Zurich.02 03 2012.
24) The Life Struggles of Marginalised Women,International Women’s Day Seminar.08 03 2012.
25) Rethinking Design, Communication and Critical Theory, Dr Kishore Budha, Culture, Society and Innovation Hub, University of Leeds,UK, 22 03 2012.
26) Intercultural Communication Workshop 2012, organised in association with the Dept.of Philosophy and Anthropology, Nanzan University, Japan.16 08 2012.
27) Tamil Filmmaking in the Studio Era, Mr Ashokamitran, Fmr.Public Relations Officer, Gemini Studio, 29 10 2012.
28) “Public Service Broadcasting in India:Opportunities Gained and Missed,” 09 11.2012.
2013
29) Ideological Contexts of Performance and Communication, Prof.Yoshitaka Terada,National Institute of Ethnology, Osaka,Japan.04 01 2013.
30) Conflicts, Communication and Memories,Mr Philip Lee, Editor,Media Development,London, 10 01 2013.
31) Linguistic Rights, Identities and Communication:Reflections on the Language Martyrs’ Day,Prof. K P Aravanan and Prof.Vedagiri Shanmugasundaram, Former Vice Chancellors, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, 24 01 2013.
32) Mapping Media Pluaralism: Opportunities and Challenges,Prof. Vibodh Parthasarathy, Associate Professor, Centre for Culture, Media and Governance,Jamia Milia Islamia,New Delhi, 26 03 2013.
33) Singapore’s Media Ecology and Tamil Murasu,Dr A.Raa.Sivakumaran,Associate Professor and Director, Indian Languages, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 27 03 2013.
34) Media Literacy Campaigns for Children,Dr Mohammed Zin Nordin, Professor, Dept.of Languages and Communication,Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia, 28 03 2013.
35) Crime Reporting: Trends in USA and Lessons for India, Dr Vivian B Lord, Professor of Criminal Justice,North Carolina University, USA and Mr Allan Cowan, Senior Journalist, USA, 17 04 2013.
36)Toward a New Commons: Hardt, Negri and Political Documentaries of Anand Patwardhan ,Dr Vijay Devadas,Head of the Dept.of Media, Film and Communication, Otago University, New Zealand on 07 08 2013.
37) Circulation of News/Echoes of Tea Shops in Tamil Newspapers: Print Mediated Public Spheres in Tamil Nadu, Dr Francis Cody, Assistant Professor,Dept.of Anthropology,University of Toronto, Canada,14 08 2013
38) ICTs and Rural Development in South India, Ms Rakhee Chatpar, Otago University, New Zealand on 16 08 2013.
39) Media, Information Technology and International Law, Dr. E. M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry.Government of India, Mrs. Jyoti Rawal, Project Officer, FES, Dr. M. Gandhi, Professor of Law, Jindal Global University, Delhi.
40) Workshop on Communication for the Marginalised Groups, Ms Sarah Bogan, Founder/Director, Engage Ireland,on 30 10 2013.
41) Social Media and Youth in Tamil Nadu. Dr G Ravindran, Professor and Head,Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, delivered a lecture on the topic of the session. Nov.06 2013 on the eve of the visit of the Liberal Arts Students from Lewis and Clarke College, USA.
2014
42) Greenwash and Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Peter Seele, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universita Della Svizzera Italiana, Campus Lugano, Switzerland on 28 01 2014.
43) International Tamil Radio: Trends and Challenges, Mr. Sampathkumar, Former Producer, BBC Tamilosai, Mr. Jaisakthivel, Asst. Professor, MS University, Tirunelveli, Mrs. Eswari (Zhou Xin), China Radio International (CRI), Mr.Abdul Jabbar, Srilankan Broadcasting Corporation & Ms. Pon Kogilam, Minnal FM, Malaysia on 20 02 2014.
44) An Anthropological Approach to Media Culture and Identity Politics in India and Japan, A. Sagayaraj, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology and Philosophy, Nanzan University, Japan on 19 03 2014.
45) Le Mashale (Torch Bearing Woman), Ms. Ojas Suniti Vinay, Theatre Artist, Pune, on 14.03.2014.
46) Peace Journalism: An Alternate Model to Report Wars, Dr. Chindu Sreedharan, Academic Lead, International Development Media School, Bournemouth University, England on 28 03 2014.
47) Seminar on Mikhail Bakhtin and Antonio Gramsci, Dr Craig Brandist, University of Sheffield, UK, on April 16-17,2014.
48) Why Education Does Not Lead to Equality in India?, Dr. P. D. S. Pal Kumar, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam on 08 05 2014.
49) Why Education Does Not Lead to Equality in India?, Dr. P. D. S. Pal Kumar, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam on 08 05 2014.
50) Buddha, Confucius and Communication in China. Prof.Jia Haitao, Professor of Political Science, Jinan University, China; and “The Story of An Anklet” by Prof.Gnanasundaram, delivered lectures on 31 October 2014.
51) Cultural and Media Environments of Malaysian Tamils. Ms Jaya Parthiban and Ms Vijayakumari Pillai on September 17, 2014.
52) Periyar, Kamarajar and Anna – A Communication Perspective. Thiru A. Maraimalayan, Dr P Kandasamy, Dr P.Udayakumar and Va.Mu.Se Andavar delivered lectures on September 22, 2014.
53) Confucius and Communication in China. Prof.Jia Haitao, Professor of Political Science, Jinan University, China, delivered lectureson 21 October 2014.
54) Communication Dimensions of Thirukural. Mr Tarun Vijay, MP delivered lecture on 12 11 2014.
55) Tamil and Radio Voices. Thiru P.H.Abdul Hameed, Thiru VKT Balan, Thiru Chakravarthy and Thiru Abdul Jabbar delivered lectures on Nov.20 2014.
56) Whose Master’s Voice?: Economic and Cultural Encounters Around the Gramophone in India. Prof. Vibodh Parthasarathy, Jamia Milia Islamia University, delivered lecture on Dec.19 2014.
2015
57) Music Cultures of the Marginalised Communities. Professor Yoshitaka Terada, Dept.of Cultural History, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan, delivered lecture on January 02,2015.
58) Ways Canadian Teachers are Using a 13 Hour Animation ofPonnar Sankar, A Tamil Folk Epic. Dr Brenda Beck, Toronto, Canada, delivered lecture on Feb.11 2015.
59) Radio Clubs – Then and Now. Thiru S.Umakanthan,Thiru N C Gnanaprakasam, Thiru Ku.Ma.Pa Kabilan, Myilai Pattabi, Thiru M Selvakumar, Thiru Myilai Singaravelu and Thiru K Raja delivered lectures on Feb.13 2015.
60) A Teaching and Learning Workshop on Storytelling (as a part of the Chennai Storytelling Festival. Dr Eric Miller, World Storytelling Institute) delivered lecture on Feb.14-15, 2015.
61) Entrepreneurship and the Cultural Communication of Tamils: The Contributions of Nagarathars. Thiru Alagappa Rammohan,USA, delivered lecture on March 04 2015.
62) Twitter for Other Purposes: The Rise of #Twitterfiction.Dr Chindu Sreedharan, Media School, Bournemouth University, UK, delivered lecture on March 25 2015.
63) Remembering Thiru Ramnath Goenka and Thiru Sivanthi Adityan. Thiru R S Narayanaswamy and A.M Samy delivered lectures on April 23 2015.
64) Media and General Elections in India and UK. Dr Einar Thorsen, Bournemouth University, UK, delivered the lecture on June 01, 2015
65) Birth Centenary Commemorative Seminar of Nadippisai PulavarThiru K R Ramasami, the First Superstar of the Dravidian Social Movement Communication was held on August 05, 2015. Thiru.Pulamai Pithan, Mr D Pandian and Mr SP.Muthuraman delivered the special addresses.
66) Muttram Theatre and Illustration Workshop. Prof.Lynne Foster, Pratt Institute, New York and Mr Kannan Menon, Playwright, New York conducted the workshop on August 18, 2015.
67) The Inter-Cultural Communication Workshop,organised in association with Nanzan University, Japan, on August 28, 2015, Mr Fukao, Researcher/Adviser, Consulate General of Japan, Chennai delivered the special address.
68) Social Media and Youth in Tamil Nadu, on October 06, 2015, organised in association with the Lewis and Clarke College, Portland, USA. Dr G Ravindran delivered the special lecture for visiting students from Lewis and Clarke College, Portland, USA. This seminar is the second in a series of collaborative seminars between the two institutions.
69) An Exploration of French Feminist Films and Feminist Film Theory. Dr Geetha Ramanathan, Westchester University, USA, will deliver the lecture on November, 13, 2015.
2016
70) Theatre Communication in Jaffna:Then and Now. Thiru T Thevananth, Jaffna University, Sri Lanka, delivered the special lecture on Feb.01 2016.
71) Young Syrian Lenses,a documentary travelling workshop, organised in association with the Association of Communication Teachers – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT-TNP) and the Dept.of Electronic Media and Mass Communication, Pondicherry University. Italian documentary filmmakers, Ruben Lagottola, Filippo Biagianti and Enea Discepoli were the resource persons. February 08 2016.
72) Radio in Times of Disaster,February 15 2016. Mr K.Selvam, Mr V Nalathambi and V Thiruvengadam delivered special addresses.
73) Contemporary Tamil Journalism, organised in association with the Madras Union of Journalists on March 02 2016. Dr S Arulselvan, Pondicherry University and Mr Kathir, Senior Journalist, Chennai delivered special addresses.
74) Radiation Disasters, Media Voices and Voices of Ordinary People,organised in association withPoovulagin Nanbargal (Friends of Earth) on March 23 2016. Mr Yoshizawa, Ms Sugeno and Ms Fujioka, Fukushima Survivors, shared their experiences.
75) Panel Discussion on Political Discourse and Contemporary Writing,organised in association with the U.S Consulate General,Chennai,University of Iowa’s
76) International Writing Programme and the JBAS Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Madras on March 24 2016.
77) Malaysian Tamils and Cultural Communication on April 13 2016. Justice Ar.Lakshmanan delivered the special address.
78) Changing the Role of Media in Political Processes (on the eve of International Press Freedom Day), organised in association with the office of the U.S Consulate General,Chennai and the JBAS Centre for Islamic Studies, University of Madras, on May 05 2016.
79) Four Day workshop on Visual/Gonzo Journalism during July 14-18 2016. Prof.Lynne Foster, Pratt Institute, New York and Mr Kannan Menon, Playwright, New York conducted the workshop.
81) International Day for the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, in association with People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL),Chennai, on September 01 2016. Mr TSS Mani and Prof. Saraswathy, PUCL, delivered the special addresses.
82) Seminar on Children, Education and Challenges (on the eve of Children’s Day), organised in association with the State Platform for Common Schools System, Tamil Nadu on November 14 2016 at 2.00 pm. Prof.Haragopal (Fmr. Professor, Osmania University) and Prof.E.Balagurusamy (Fmr. Vice Chancellor, Anna University) delivered lectures.
83) Seminar on Space,Rituals and the Communication Practices of Nagarathars. Ms Umayal Muthu, Ms Meenu Subbiah, Mr Ramakrishna Venkatesh and Mr Soma Valliappan delivered lectures on November 23 2016.
2017
84) Workshop on Tamil Folk Communication for Tamil Students from University of Malaya, Malaysia, on February 06 2017.
85) Seminar on Understanding Tholkappiyam in the Age of Digital Communication. Prof. N Kamala and Prof M Meenakshi delivered lectures on March 30-31 2017.
86) Seminar on New Directions in Journalism Research on April 25 2017. Dr Einar Thorsen and Dr Chindu Sreedharan, School of Journalism, English and Communication, Bournemouth University, delivered lectures.
86) Seminar on Understanding Etymology and Kurunthogai in the Digital Age.Prof. Arasendran (Madras Christian College) delivered the lecture,on May 12, 2017.
87) Workshop on Tell Me a Story – Workshop in Visual Essay and Theatre. Prof.Lynne Foster and Mr Kannan Menon (New York),Ms Nalina (Malaysia) conducted the workshop. July 13-20 2017.
88) Seminar on Reporting Sagarmala Project: Need for a Cultural Approach,organised in association with National Fishworkers’ Forum on July 26 2017
89) Seminar on Agrarian Crisis and Indian Media. Mr P Sainath, Fmr.Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu will delivered a lecture on September 07 2017.
90)Seminar on Contemporary Research in Digital/Online Journalism. September 15 2017. Prof. Padmaja Shaw (Fmr. Professor, Osmania University) and Prof. Arasendran (Fmr. Professor, Madras Christian College) delivered keynote addresses.
91).Seminar on Architecture, Rituals and Communication on September 27 2017. Mr S Muthiah and Mr K Periyannan delivered talks.
92) Seminar and Theatre Performance The Crown and the Commoners, Oct.04 2017. Prof.V.Arasu, Prof.Ramu Manivannan, Mr Thevananth and Dr Mangai were the speakers.
93)Seminar on Political Economy of ICTs and Empowerment in Bangladesh, Dec.15 2017. Dr.Sahid Ullah, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh was the speaker.
94) Seminar on From Mobile Phone Communication Research to Mobilities/Cultural Studies, Dec.18 2017. Prof.Shin Dong Kim, Hallym University, South Korea was the speaker.
2018
95) Seminar on The Early Soviet Origins of the “Orientalist Discourse” (or Foucault’s Debt to Stalin,Jan.02 2018. Prof.Craig Brandist, University of Sheffield, UK, was the speaker.
96) Seminar on Rethinking the Post Colonial Condition with Gramsci and Bakhtin,Jan.04 2018, Prof.Craig Brandist, University of Sheffield, UK, was the speaker.
97) Seminar on Thiruvalluvar and Pongal: From the Perspective of Tamil Literature. Jan.10 2018. Prof. V Arasu and Prof.Arangaramalingam were the speakers.
98) Seminar on Language Rights as Communication Rights. Jan.25 2018. Senior Journalist TSS Mani, Prof.Ramu Manivannan and Dr Thirumavalavan were the speakers.
99) Workshop on Intercultural Communication. Jan.25 2018, in association with the International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai.
100) Seminar on Indian Emergency (1975-1977) and Indian Journalism,June 26 2018. Senior Journalists TSS Mani and Mr Babu Jayakumar were the speakers.
101) Seminar/Screening on Unmaking of a Monster – Ringside View of Life Inside Puzhal Prison.Sept.25 2018. Ms Apsara Reddy, Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker and leading media persons were the speakers.
102) Four day Workshop on Theatre Arts for Journalism and Communication during Oct.02-05 2018. Mr Thevananth, President of Active Theatre Movement,Jaffna, Sri Lanka was the resource person.
103) Workshop on How to Spot Fake News,Oct.10 2018. Iyan Karthikeyan.Editor,You Turn was the resource person.
104) Street Theatre Workshop in Muttram. Dr Kaleeswaran, Alternative Media Forum, Chennai conducted the workshop. Dec.07 – 09 2018.
2019
105) Seminar on Crossing Over the Arirang Pass: Music and Social Marginalities. Lecture delivered by Prof.Yoshitaka Terada,Prof.of Ethnomusicology, Graduate University of Advanced Studies,Osaka, Japan, on January 02 2019.
107) Seminar on The Untold Story of India’s First Newspaper. Lecture delivered by Mr Andrew Otis, University of Maryland, USA, on January 30 2019.
109) Seminar on Buckingham Canal: From a Communication Perspective.” Lectures delivered by Mr Hemachandran, Historian and Vincent D’Souza, Veteran Journalist, on March 22 2019.
110) Seminar on Archaeology and Communication. Lecture delivered by Dr G Thirumoorthy, Assistant Professor, Dept.of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, on March 22 2019.
111) Seminar on Life as a Communication Teacher in North Eastern India, Lecture delivered by Dr P Anbarasan, Associate Professor,Dept.of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University, Assam, on July 17 2019.
112) Seminar on After the War: Sri Lankan Tamils’ Life Struggles, Lecture delivered by Ms Sherine Xavier, Film maker/Writer/Human Rights Activist, Sri Lanka/Canada, on August 21 2019.
113) Seminar on Literature and Films in the Lives of Diasporic Tamils, Writer/Actor V.I.S Jayapalan, Norway, delivered a talk. October 18 2019.
114) Seminar onSocial Media and Youth in Tamil Nadu. Gopalan Ravindran delivered a lecture to visiting students of Lewis and Clarke College, Oregon, USA. October 23 2019.
115) Seminar on Communication and Philosophical Traditions of Tamils Since Sangam Period. Prof.Arangaramalingam delivered the lecture. October 25 2019.
116) Seminar on Documenting Honour Killings: Challenges. Sadhana Subramaniam, Documentary Filmmaker, UK/India, delivered a talk. November 06 2019.
117) Seminar on Public Service Broadcasting, organised in association with Indian Broadcasters’ Forum, Chennai. Dr Myilsamy Annadurai and Nallathambi delivered talks. November 12 2019.
118) Seminar on Life Stories of Myanmar Tamils, Prof. Arangaramalingam, Fmr. Prof.& Head, Dept.of Tamil Language, University of Madras delivered the special lecture; Mr Philip and Mr Thomas (Myanmar); and Ms Easwari and Mr Narayanan (Myanmar Tamil refugees in Chennai) delivered talks. November 13 2019.
119) Ethics of Data Circulation. Dr Vijay Devadas, Auckland University of Technology, Newzealand, delivered the lecture. November 27 2019.
Master Classes (Organised)
1) Master Class for PhD Scholars in Communication “,Dr Vijay Devadas,Head of the Dept.of Media, Film and Communication, Otago University, New Zealand on 08 08 2013.
2) Master Class on Derrida’s Philosophy From a Communication Perspective in Tamil. Resource Person, Prof. P N Kamala on February 27-28 2016. This was an initiative of the the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and the Association of Communication Teachers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT TNP) to introduce the works of philosophers/scholars from other countries in the local language.
Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) @ CUTN
1) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) was inaugurated on April 09 2021 with special lectures by Prof.Brenda Beck (Canada) on My Fifty Year Study of an Oral Epic from Kongu Nadu:Some Surprising Results.
Prof.Terada Yoshitaka (Japan) on Drumming and Marginalised Community:Documentation of a Cultural Heritage in the Making.and Prof.Biswajit Das (India) Communication Studies in India. Online.
2) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 2. Intersectional Communication, Gender and Consent in Shakespeare, Prof.Artemis Preeshl, Faculty Member, Loyola University/Elon University,USA. 14 July 2021.Online.
3) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 3. Literature, Colonialism,Nationalism and Indian Diaspora: Invisibilization of Indians in the Republic of Vietnam (1955-1975).Dr Pham Phuong Chi, Tenure Researcher, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and Alexandre Von Humboldt Post Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Hamburg. 11 August 2021.Online.
4) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 4. Culture, Communicaiton, Tholkappiyam/Sangam Literature: A Bird’s Eyeview, Prof.Meenakshi Bharathi, Former Professor and Head, Dept.of Tamil, Institute of Distance Education, Madurai Kamaraj University. 01 September 2021.Online.
5) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 5. The Untold Story of India’s First Newspaper, Mr Andrew Otis, Fulbright Fellow 2021-2014. PhD Research Scholar, Philip Merril College of Journalism, University of Maryland, USA. 06 October 2021.Online.
6) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 6.Foreshadowing the Great Rebellion – Vellore Revolt 1806. Relevance of Correspondence and Communication.Prof.K.A.Manikumar, Fmr. Vice Chancellor, Swami Vivekanand University, Sagar and Registrar-in-Charge/Professor of History (Retd.), Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. 12 November 2021.Online.
7) Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 7. “Matchmaking in the Age of Network Technologies.” Vibodh Parthasarathy, Associate Professor, Centre for Culture, Media and Governance (CCMG), Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi. 23 December 2021.Online.
8. Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 8. “Researching/Rethinking Folklore, Communication and Kannagi in Tamil Nadu.” Dr Eric Miller, Director World Storytelling Institute. 06 May 2022. Online.
9. Critical Communication Studies Lecture Series (CCSLS) Session 9.”Gracefully Ageing Preparation.” Prof.Jantima Kheokao, Associate Professor in Communication, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok, Thailand. 25 05 2022. Online.
Jaffna Science Association Lecture Series 2021-2023
Lecture 1 Alternative Qualitative Methodologies. 02.06.2021. Online Lecture 2 Learning from Scholars of Repute in South Asia.10.03.2022.Online.
Lecture 3 Narratives for Research Methods and Methodologies. 17.03.2022. Online.
Lecture 4 Textual Analysis. 24.03.2022.Online Lecture 5 Discourse Analysis.31.03.2022.Online. Lecture 6 Research Methods and Tools.05.05.2022.Online. Lecture 7 Cultural Studies: Research Methods and Methodologies.12.05.2022.Online.
Lecture 8 Research Writing 1. 02.06.2022.Online. Lecture 9 Critical Discourse Analysis. 11.06.2022.Online. Lecture 10 Research Writing 2. 29.07.2022.Online. Lecture 11 Research Writing 3. 17.03.2023.Online. Lecture 12 Research Writing 4. 18.03.2023.Online.
1) “Reading Stuart Hall: Policing the Crisis– Mugging, the State and the Law and Order. 03 07 2021. Online.
2) “Rethinking Journalism and Communication Studies in 2022”. 21 01 2023.
3) “Chidambaram Ramalingam: Ideology and Communication”.18.10.2023.
4) “Reading Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space. 21.11.2023.
5) “Reading Henri Lefebvre’s Critique of Everyday Life. 20.02.2024.
6) Reading Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space with the Critique of Everyday Life. 26.04.2024.
International Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2024 (Organised)
1) “Communication, Cultural Diversity and Inclusion” at the Dept.of Media and Communication, CUTN, on April 25 2024. Hybrid mode.
National Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2024 (Organised)
1) “Sound Culture Lecture Series” with Prof.Artemis Preeshl, Fulbright Nehru Specialist Scholar. I was her host and she conducted seven workshops/master classes for the students of “Kavery Delta Sound Culture, Performing Arts and Communication” course during April 2024.
Invited Lectures/Panels/Paper Presentations/Lecture series 2024 (National)
1) Delivered the keynote address at the national conference on “Communication for Change”, organised by the Dept.of Visual Communication, Don Bosco College of Arts and Science, Chennai, on March 11,2024.
2) Delivered an invited lecture on “From Sangam Age Through the Periods of Thirumoolar and Chidambaram Ramallingam: Deleuzian and Guattarian Perspectives” at the workshop on “Creative Writing and Criticism”, oraganised by the Dept.of Tamil, CUTN, on April 09,2024.
International Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2023 (Organised)
1) “Communication, Conviviality and Performing Arts”. Workshop conducted by Prof.Terada Yoshitaka, Emeritus Professor, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDO)/National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan with Prof.Nagarathinam, Dept.of Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University and Dr R Kalaivani, Director, Eazhisai Isai Research Institute, Mayiladuthurai, on January 24-25,2023, CUTN.
Invited Lectures/Panels/Paper Presentations/Lecture series 2023 (International)
1) Attended and presented points for discussion in the consultative meeting organised by ANPOR (Asian Network for Public Opinion Research), Bangkok, on the proposed “Asian Youth Survey” on February 23 2023. Online.
2) Delivered an invited talk on “Critical Communication Studies” at the international conference on “Communication and Performing Arts: Critical Approaches”. Organised by the Dept.of Visual Commmunication, Apollo College of Arts and Science, Chennai. February 14,2023.
3) Delivered an invited lecture on “Towards Critical Communication Studies” at the International conference on “Narratives on Media, Culture and Society” organised by Women’s Christian College, Chennai on March 29,2023.
4) Presented a research paper on “Imagining the Present and Future of Media Environments in India with AI” in the International Conference on “AI and the Future of Academic Research: Challenges and Opportunities,” organised by the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR) and APCA (Asia Pacific Communication Alliance), during Dec.04-06 2023.
5) Presented a research paper on “Institutionalisation of Childhood Traditions During Medieval Period and Contemporary Contestations in Tamil Nadu,” in the International Conference organised by the South Asian University and Hamdard University, New Delhi, on Dec.14-15,2023.
Invited Lectures/Panels/Lecture series 2023
1) Delivered an invited lecture on “Media Education in Indian Languages with Special Reference to Tamil”. Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, on the eve of the launching of the PGJMC in Tamil. January 30,2023. Online.
2) Delivered an invited lecture on”Histories of Tamil Nadu: From a Communication Perspective”. National Seminar on “Recent Trends in Historical Research and publication Ethics”, Organised by the Dept.of History, CUTN, on March 08,2023.
3) Delivered an invited lecture on “Anthropology and Communication Research” at the Ten day Research Methodology course, Dept.of Library and Information Science, Pondicherry University, on July 06 2023.
4) Delivered an invited lecture on “Communication Research Methods” at the Ten day Research Methodology course, Dept.of Library and Information Science, Pondicherry University, on July 06 2023.
5) Delivered an invited lecture on “Gaze” at the Dept.of Electronic Media and Mass Communication, Pondicherry University, on July 07,2023.
6) Delivered an invited talk in the seminar on “Ctrl+Shift+Empower: Safeguarding Children in the Digital Age”, organised by Social Media Matters, New Delhi, at Chennai on August 07,2023.
7) Delivered an invited talk on “Spatialities and Materialities of Communication in South India” in the virtual session organised by the Vishwaneedam Centre for Asian Blossoming, Chennai,on August 13,2023. Online.
8) Delivered a lecture on “Spatialities, Materialities and Communication” in the Communication and Culture and Society Lecture Series, organised by the Dept.of Mass Communication, Sikkim University, on Nov.29, 2023. Online
9) “Spatialities, Materialities and Communication”, at the Refresher Course in Media Studies and Governance, organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, on Dec.11, 2023. Online.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2023 (International)
1) Chaired a session in the International conference on “Cultures of Childhood in Contemporary South Asia,” organised by the South Asian University and Hamdard University, New Delhi, on Dec.14-15,2023.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2023 (National)
1) Chaired a session in the International conference on “Narratives on Media, Culture and Society” organised by Women’s Christian College, Chennai on March 29, 2023.
National Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2023 (Organised)
1) Organised a two day workshop on “Studio Production Techniques: Multi Camera Setup with Black Magic Platform”. It was held under the “Digital Production Techniques Workshop Series” on Sept. 20-21,2023 at the Dept.of Media and Communication, CUTN. Mr Santhosh, Founder, Reel Petty, Coimbatore, was the the resource person.
2) Organised a two day workshop on “Sound Design and Sound Production Techniques for Films”in the Digital Production Techniques Workshop series. It was held on Monday Oct.09,2023. Mr B Sureshkumar, Sound Engineer and FIlmmaker, NFDC, Chennai, conducted the workshop at he Dept.of Media and Communication, CUTN.
3) Organised a two day workshop on “Photography and Cyanotype Printing” under the “Digital Production Techniques Workshop Series”. Mr Vinodh.B, Photojournalist, Thiruvannamalai, conducted the workshop on October 11-12,2023 at the Dept.of Media and Communication, CUTN.
International Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2022 (Organised)
1) “Understanding Language, Cultural Theory and Communication with Bakhtin and Gramsci”. Workshop conducted by Prof.Craig Brandist, Professor of Intellectual History and Cultural Theory, University of Sheffield, UK. August 25-26, 2022,CUTN.
International Conferences/Symposia 2022 (Paper Presentation)
1) Presented a research paper on “Communication, Spatial Practices, Everyday Lives of “subalterns” and Covid Pandemic in Chennai”, at the 8th annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies Conference on “Imagining Futures” on February 10-11, 2022, organised by the Florida State University, Tallahasse, USA. Online.
International Conferences/Workshops/Seminars/ Symposia 2022 (Organised)
1.”Workshop on Scriptwriting and Direction for Social Films” conducted by Mr Kasthuriraja, Writer/Film Director, on June 08-09 2022. CUTN.
Invited Lectures/Panels/Lecture series 2022
1) Presented a talk in the panel on “Korean wave in South Asia: Transcultural Flow, Fandom and Identity”.January 22,2022, organised by the All India Communication and Media Association (AICMA), New Delhi;Korean Academy and SIMEC Institute of Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Association for Service and Rehabilitation of the Aged (ASSRA), New Delhi. Online.
2) Presented a talk in the roundtable as a panel member on “Journalism Education in South Asia” organised by the Florida State University, Tallahasse, USA, in association with the All India Communication and Media Association, New Delhi, on February 10,2022 Online.
3) Presented a talk in the roundtable as a panel member on “Imagining Futures of South Asian Media & Cultural Studies” organised by the Florida State University, Tallahasse, USA, on February 11,2022 Online.
4) Presented a talk in the panel on “Manthan: Integrating Media and Entertainment in Formal Education”.Organised by Media and Entertainment Skills Council, Skill India and Creative Warriors.March 04 2022 Online.
5) Presented a talk on “A Critique of Media Diversity and Pluralism” and chaired the session in the pre-colloquium panel on “Realities of Marginality and Marginalisation in Media” organised by the Dept.of Mass Communication and Journalism, Mizoram University, on April 20,2022.Online.
6) Delivered an invited lecture on “Colonial Encounters and Contestations” at the Refresher Course in History, organised by the UGC-HRDC, University of Madras, on July 06,2022. Online.
7) Delivered an invited talk in the special session on “Connecting Global and Asian Academic Journals in Communication and Journalism: Trends and Future Directions”. IAMCR Beijing International Conference. July 11-15, 2022.Online.
8) Delivered an invited lecture on “Digital History: Critical Reflections” at the Refresher Course on “Historical Studies in the Digital Information Era”, organised by the UGC-HRDC, Madurai Kamaraj University, on September 16,2022. Online.
9) Delivered an invited lecture on “The Problematic of Understanding Communication with James Carey” at the National Conference on “Media and Communication”. Organised by the Dept.of Visual Communication, D G Vaishnav College Chennai. September 23 2022.
10) Delivered an invited lecture on “Methodological Contributions of Stuart Hall et.al’s Policing the Crisis, Organised by the Forum of Contemporary Thought, Dept.of English, CUTN, on September 30,2022.
11) Delivered an invited lecture on “Communication, Culture and Climate Change” at the sensitization programme for school teachers on “Climate Change” Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience”, organised by UGC -STRIDE and the Dept.of Law, CUTN, October 14,2022.
12) Delivered an invited lecture on “Mediated Communication and Climate Change” at the sensitization programme for college students on “Climate Change: Impacts, Threats, Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies”, organised by UGC-STRIDE and the Dept of Materials Science, CUTN, November 08,2022.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2022 (National)
1) Chaired the plenary session III on “Media Margin:Right Based Inclusive Society” at the National Media Conclave, organised by Institute of Media Studies, Utkal University, on November 22 2022 at Bhubaneswar.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2022 (International)
1) Chaired the first lecture session by Professor Stephen McDowell, Florida State University, USA, in the lecture series “Communicating Knowledge” organised by SIMEC-AICMA, on April 16 2022. Online.
2) Chaired the plenary session on “The Future of Eco Literacy: The Emergent Eco Centric Media” in the Madurai International Communication Conference (MICC) held during 03-04, Dec, 2022. Online.
Keynote Addresses 2021
1) “Understanding the Problematic of Communication Technologies”, on Contemporary Media, Persuasive Technology and the Psychology of Visual Communication, Dept.of Visual Communication, Nehru College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore.15 12 2021.
Invited Lectures 2021
1) “Cultural Studies and/as Communication” at the Faculty Development Programme on Approaches to Media and Communication Research Methods, Women’s Christian College, Chennai, on 20 03 2021. Online.
2) “Cultural Studies and/as Communication” at the UGC – Refresher Course organised by the Human Resources Development Centre, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirappalli, on 22 03 2021. Online.
3) “Critical Theories and Philosophies” at the UGC – Refresher Course organised by the Human Resources Development Centre, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirappalli, on 22 03 2021. Online.
4) “Alternative Qualitative Research Methodologies”, Jaffna Science Association, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on 02 06 2021. Online.
5) “Alternative Quality Research Methodologies in Communication and Journalism Studies”, FDP Programme on “Recent trends in Communication, Culture, Media and Journalism Studies” organised by KITT University, Bhubaneswar, on 21 06 2021.Online.
6) “The Real is Everywhere, a Contemporary Detour through Theory”, Covid 19 Infodemic – The Route Maps of Kerala, Book Discussion organised by the Centre for Culture,Media and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi and Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram, on 22 06 2021. Online.
7) “Virtual Theatre Communication”. Active Theatre Movement, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.21 08 2021. Online.
8) “Writing for Doctoral Research in Communication”. Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, Chennai 600017. 03 09 2021. Online.
9) “Like Society, Like Cinema: Human Rights Violations in Tamil Cinema”. Council of NGOs, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. 03 09 2021. Online.
10) “Approaches to Social Media Research”. Dept.of Mass Communication, Mizoram University. 17 09 2021. Online.
11) “History/Histories: From a Communication Perspective”.Human Resource Development Centre, University of Madras, 26 11 2021. Online.
12) “Heterotopia in Films”. Dept.of Electronic Media and Mass Communication, Pondicherry University,Pondicherry.01 12 2021.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2021 (National)
I) Chaired the session on Film Studies and evaluated the proposals of doctoral candidates’ presentation in the Doctoral Congress in Mass Communication organised by Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, on April 11 2021.
2) Chaired the session Communication, Culture and Society in the International Conference on Media, Communication & Design (ICMCD-2021) organised by Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal, on June 25 2021. Online.
3) Chaired the session Need for Skilling, Reskilling, Upskilling and Professional Media Skills, in the National Media Conclave, Institute of Media Studies, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, on Nov. 22 2021.
Chairmanship of Academic Conference Sessions 2021 (International)
1) Chaired the session on “Communication Pedagogy Amidst the Pandemic/Public Opinion Theory and Methods/Covid 19 in Traditional and New Media/Pandemic Induced Advocacies” in the ANPOR-APAC Annual Conference on “Understanding Wellbeing in Asian Societies: The Impact of Digital Media on Environment and Social Resilience”, Dec. 14, 2021. Online.
International Conferences/Symposia 2021 (Paper Presentation)
1) Presented a research paper on “Connecting Marginalized Communities and Universities through Performing Arts: The Journeys of Muttram“, in the international symposium on “Performing Arts and Conviviality” organised by the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan on Dec. 12, 2021. Online.
International Conferences/Symposia 2021 (Attended)
1) Attended the international symposium on “Performing Arts and Conviviality” organised by the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan on March 06,2021. Online.
2) Attended the international symposium on “Performing Arts and Conviviality” organised by the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan on June 07, 2021. Online.
3) Attended the international symposium on “Performing Arts and Conviviality” organised by the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan on Sept. 20, 2021 Online.
Invited Lectures 2020
1) Presented an invited lecture to academics and research scholars in the Anthropological Institute, Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan on the topic “Marginalisation, Communication, Everyday Lives and Empowerment of Coastal Subaltern Communities of South India” on March 08, 2020.
2) Delivered a presidential talk on the topic “Journeys Between Dystopia and Utopia: Some Reflections on Prof.K.P Aravanan”, on the eve of the 79th anniversary of Prof. K.P.Aravanan. Aug. 09 2020.Online.
3) “Social Media, Social Movements and Civil Society” at the National Media Conclave, organised by the Institute of Media Studies, Utkal University, on Nov. 22, 2020. Online.
4) “Understanding Marshall McLuhan” at the Dept.of English, University of Madras, on Dec.12, 2020. Online.
5) “The Adayar Initiatives in Journalism Education 1917-1919” at the 100 Years of Media Education: Decoding the South Asian Mystique, organised by Institute of International Journalism, Ohio University, USA; Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust, Guwahati, India; and Institute of Media Studies and Research, Mysore, India, on Dec. 19, 2020. Online.
6) “Towards Critical Communication Studies” at the International Conference on Media Education: A Legacy to Hold and Future to Build, organised by the Dept.of Communication, Bangalore University, on Dec. 29 2020.
National Seminars Organised (2016-2018)
1) University Grants Commission (UGC) – Special Assistance Programme (SAP) seminar on “Journalism Education: Remembering the Contributions of Professor D Sadasivan.”March 27 2018.
2) University Grants Commission (UGC) – SAP Seminar on “Contemporary Research in Digital/Online Journalism”, on September 15 2017.
3)“Communication in Contemporary Tamil Society” organised by the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and All India Tamil Writers Association, Chennai, during July 2016.
4) “Media, Culture and Community, organised by the Association of Communication Teachers’ – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT TNP) in association with the School of Electronic Media and Mass Communication, Pondicherry University, during March 29-30 2016 at Pondicherry.
1.The Fourth International Tamil Journalism Conference was organised by the Journalism for People chapter in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, during April 05-06 2019 at the Jaffna Public Library, Jaffna. The Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, was the co-organiser. 30 delegates from Tamil Nadu, India and Sri Lanka presented their research papers.
2.The International Conference on Deleuze and Guattari titled Contemporary Communication Cultures, Controls and Becomings was organised by the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, in association with the Deleuze and Guattari Studies in India Collective, during February 14-17,2018 at the Anna Centenary Library, Chennai. 110 delegates from different parts of the world presented research papers. More than 15 leading philosophers and scholars who are working with the philosophies of Deleuze and Guattari attended and gave special addresses,
3.The Third International Tamil Journalism Workshop with 50 lectures/activities was organised by the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, in association with the Media Resources and Training Centre, Jaffna University, Sri Lanka, at University of Madras during October 20-31,2014.
4.International Conference on “Everyday Life in Contemporary India” was organised by the the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and the Dept.of Film, Media and Communication, Otago University, New Zealand, on Dec.17 and Dec,18,2014.
5.International “R” Conference on Tamil Studies was organised by the Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras on Dec.21,2014 in association with the “R” All India Research Association.
Public Memorial Lecture (International)2019
1) Delivered the Professor Chelladurai Sivagnanasundaram Memorial Lecture 2019 at the invitation of University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on the topic The Contemporary Communication Challenges of Tamils and their Ancient Communication Traditions on April 04th 2019 at the Kailasapathy Auditorium, University of Jaffna.
1) Delivered a special address on Towards Journalism for People at the 4th International Tamil Journalism Conference at Jaffna Public Library on April 05 2019.
2) Delivered a keynote address on Communication: Critical Readings at the National Conference on Media Literacy in the Digital Age at the Dept.of Communication, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University on January 31 2019.
3) Delivered a keynote address on Women and/in Media: Critical Readings at the National Conference on Women and Media Eduction at Dept.of Electronic Media, Anna Universityon February 012019.
4) Delivered a special address at the National Conference on Caste and Communication, Centre for Culture, Media and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, on March 27 2019.
5) Delivered a keynote address on the topic The Media Society Interface that has Gone Awry: A Guattarian Perspective at the national conference on Media and Social Responsibility, Durgadas Govardhan Das Vaishnav College, Chennai, on October 06 2017.
6) Presented a keynote paper on Material/Materialities of Communication and Culture, at the national seminar organised by Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, March 21 2018.
7) Presented a keynote paper on Discourse, Plurality, Nationalism and Indian Media at the International Seminar on“Reinventing Nationalism:Secularism and Plurality”, organised by Gauhati University,November 11-12 2017.
8) Presented a keynote paper on Materialities and Visualities: Anthropological and Philosophical Contestations at the Faculty Development Programme on Testing and Evaluation Methods at the Loyola College, Chennai on November 01 2017.
9) Presented a keynote paper on The Media and Society Interface that has Gone Awry: A Guattarian Perspective. National Seminar on Media and Social Responsibility, Chennai, on October 06 2017.
10) Presented a keynote paper on Epistemes of Communication Materialities Since Sangam Age at the International Conference on Recent Trends in Media Science and Technology (RTMeST ’17) on March 27 2017 at Anna University, Chennai.
11) Presented a keynote paper at the International Conference on Thirukuralil Vazhviyal at Valluvar Science and Management Studies College, Karur, on 16 December 2016.
Invited Lectures/Talks (2019-2020)
1) Delivered a plenary session talk on “Social Media and Digital Democracy: The Dialectical Processes and Reification” at the national media conclave onCommunication 4.0 – Communication in a Digital Age, organised by Utkal University, Bubaneswar,Orissa, on November 21 2019.
2) Delivered a lecture on Social Media: Critical Readings of Key Thinkers – Part I, to the participants of the Social Media:Dynamics, Uses and Abuses workshop, organised by theDept.of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, on February 12 2019
3) Delivered a lecture on Social Media: Critical Readings of Key Thinkers – Part II, to the participants of the Social Media:Dynamics, Uses and Abuses workshop, organised by theDept.of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, on February 12 2019 .
4) Delivered a lecture on Sociology of Social Media to the participants of the Social Media:Dynamics, Uses and Abuses workshop, organised by theDept.of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, on February 13 2019
5) Delivered a lecture on Understanding Social Media with Eastern Communication Philosophies to the participants of the Social Media:Dynamics, Uses and Abuses workshop, organised by theDept.of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, on February 13 2019.
______________________________________________________________ Research Paper Presentations – International Conferences (2015-2019)
1) Presented a research paper on “Struggling to Fish: Marginalization and Communication in the Fishing Villages of North Tamil Nadu During the Post-Tsunami Period”, at the International Symposium on The Wisdom for Living Natural Disasters, organised by Nanzan University, Japan and University of Philippines,Manila, onOctober05 2019.
2) Presented a paper on “Journalism and Communication Associations in India” at the international conference of Asia Pacific Journalism and Communication Teachers, Tsinghua University, China, on October 25 2018.
3) Presented a paper on “Oppressed Bodies as “Movement Images”: Casteism,”Living Bodies” and “Dead Bodies” in Nandhanar (1942) and The Funeral(2016)”at the International Conference on The Aesthetic and the Political in Contemporary India:Deleuzian Explorations, organised by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, during February 16-17 2017.
4) Presented a paper on “Interfaces of Critical Pedagogical Approaches and “Journalism for People” at The Global Festival of Learning organised by the Bournemouth University, UK, on April 21 2017 at New Delhi.
5) “South African Tamils and Tamil Cinema: Rethinking Diasporic Subjectivities with Dziga Vertov, Gilles Deleuze and Harold Innis” at the International Conference on “Absences, Silences and the Margin: Restructuring Indian Diaspora Studies” Organised by the Centre for Diaspora Studies (CDS), Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, at Kanyakumari during January 07 – 09 2016.
6) “Democracy, Elections and Print Media in India: At the Intersections of Fictionalised and Partisan Narratives” at the Korean Association of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Studies’ (KABS)Annual Spring Conference“ during April 22-23 2016.
7)Presented a paper on “Understanding China in India: The Cross Cultural Encounters of Chinese Students and China International Radio’s Tamil Division’s Broadcasters in a Multicultural Communication Class Room”, at the Asian Forum for Deans of Journalism and Communication, organised by the Shanghai International Studies University,Shanghai, China, during November 29-December 02, 2016.
8) Presented a paper on “The Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Role of the Media in India” at the International Symposium on Disaster and the Role of Anthropologist:Efforts in Asian Countries,organised by the Anthropology Institute, Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan, on Oct.02 2016.
9) Presented the research paper “Drumming for Performative Identities by the Dalits of Tamil Nadu and Burakus of Japan” in the International Conference on “Performative Communication: Culture and Politics in South Asia” organised by the South Asian University and Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi on Jan.10-21, 2015.
10) Presented a research paper “Understanding China in India: The Cross Cultural Encounters of Indian, Chinese Students andChina Radio International’s Tamil Division’s Broadcasters in a Multicultural Communication Class Room” in the International Colloquium “Future of Media in India and China”, March 13 2015.
11) Presented a research paper “Rhetorical Bodies and Movement Images in the Tamil Films of 1940s and 1950s” in the International Conference Deleuze Studies in Asia Conference during June 5-7,2015.
Research Paper Presentations – National Seminars/Conferences (2014-2018)
1.Contributed to the Consultation Meeting on Mapping Creative Industry and Economy in India, April 16-17 2018 at the Centre for Culture, Media and Governance, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi.
2.Presented a paper on “Roots – Cinema and the Cultural Origins of Art” at Vahana- Journeys in Cinema withSoudhamini, organised by the Goethe Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai, on July 20 2017.
2.Presented a paper on “De-colonising Indian Journalism and Communication Education with Cultural Interfaces and Critical Pedagogical Approaches” at the National Conclave on Media and Social Responsibility, organised by the Institute of Media Studies, Bhubaneswar, on May 3-4 2017.
3.Presented a paper on “Critical Pedagogical Approaches to Journalism and Communication Studies’, at the UNICEF Supported National Seminar on Communication Education 3.0: Synergizing Technology and Development at Tezpur University, March 25-26 2017.
4.Presented a paper on“Technological Surveillance and Safe Cities” in the National Conference on “Creating Safe Cities: Discussion on Strategic Interventions and Innovative Response Mechanisms” on 20th of December, 2016, organised by the Centre for Social Research, New Delhi.
5.Presented the research paper “Towards Critical Engagements with “Digital Cultures” in India/Tamil Nadu” in the National Conference organised by the Association of Communication Teachers – Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (ACT – TNP on Feb.07 & 08, 2014.
6.Presented the paper on “Towards Critical Engagements with Communication Studies” in the Faculty Development Programme organised by the Amrita School of Communication, on May 23 & 24, 2014, Coimbatore
7.Presented the research paper “Review as a Mode of Online Public Discourse: A Case of Durkheimian Functionalism Gone Astray?” in the National Conference organised by the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore and Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Singapore on March 15-16, 2014,Mysore.
8.Presented a paper on “Ethnomethodology” in the ICSSR Programme for Doctoral Candidates at the Dept.of Journalism and Mass Communication, Periyar University, on September 13,2014.
Publications
Books
I.Thamizh Thengu, (Eds.Gopalan Ravindran and Su.Thamizhvelu), ‘R’ All India Research Institution,December 2014.
ii. Communication in Contemporary Tamil Society(Eds. Gopalan Ravindran and Nallamur K Periyannan), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and All India Tamil Writers Association, Chennai, July 2016 pp.1-9. ISBN 9788190787901.
iii)Deleuzian and Guattarian Approaches to Contemporary Communication Cultures in India, Ed.Gopalan Ravindran, Springer.Singapore. March 2020. ISBN 9789811521393.
iv) Spatialities, Materialities and Communication in South India, Peter Lang. Berlin. June 2023. ISBN 9781433192302.
v) Remembering ‘Madi’ Terada Yoshitaka,Muttram, Chennai. June 2023.
i) ”Conceptualising Transnational Cinemas:Some Reflections,” in Mass Media: Diversity in Changing Times,Yusoff, Mohammed et.al (Ed.), Pulau Penang:Universiti Sains Malaysia Press. Nov. 2006.
ii) “Communication Studies in the Age of Blogospheres: The Contexts and Challenges,” in the book Blinded by the Lights: Journalism and Communication Study in Malaysia since 1971, UPENA, Malaysia, 2008.
iii).“Moral Panics and Mobile Phones: The Cultural Politics of New Modernity in India,” in Living the Information Society in Asia, , Ed.Erwin Alampay, Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) and IDRC (Canada), Singapore,2009.ISBN 9789812308733.
iv) “David Lynch” in Zizek Dictionary, Ed. Rex Butler, Acumen Publishers, London, UK, August 2014.ISBN 9.781844655823.
v)“James Carey’s Concept and the Cultural Challenges of Tamil Journalism”, in the book Thamizh Thengu, Ed.G Ravindran and Su.Thamizhvelu, ‘R’ All India Research Institution,December 2014.
vi) “2014 Indian General Election and Partisan and Fictional Narratives in Indian Language Press”, in India Election 2014: First Reflections,Eds.Einar Thorsen and Chindu Sreedharan, Bournemouth University, UK.pp.2014-219. ISBN 978-1-910042-05-2.
vii) “Narrative Strategies and Communication of Values Through Tamil Epic Tradition Films of A P Nagarajan, with Ms Rashmi Raja as Co-Author, in the book entitled Media, Youth and Values Ed.J.Josephine,2015.
viii)“Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Media and Friedrich Kittler’s Concepts”, in the book Kuyil, (Eds. K.Radhakrishnan and Su.Thamizhvelu), “R” Research Forum, Chennai, December 2015. pp.64-68. ISBN 9789385349041
ix)“Radio as Today’s Remnant of the Primal Voice,” in the book Chinese Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspective, (Eds.Thanga.Jaysakthivel and Kalaimagal), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and CRI/CIBN, People’s Republic of China, January 2016. pp.141-145.
x)“That was a Spring Season for Voices: Rudolph Arnheim’s Theoretical Arguments of Formalism and 20th Century Tamil Nadu’s Great Voices,”, in the book Sri Lankan Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspectives, (Ed. Thanga.Jaysakthivel),Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, April 11 2016.
xi)“Journalism For People” in Muttram: Redefining Journalism With Children of Marginalised Communities”, in the book Communication in Contemporary Tamil Society(Eds. Gopalan Ravindran and Nallamur K Periyannan), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and All India Tamil Writers Association, Chennai, July 2016 pp.1-9. ISBN 9788190787901
xii) “Understanding Angry Drummers with Vertov, Deleuze and Guattari and Giddens”,Thamizh Cilampu, “R” All India Research Association, Chennai.December 2016.
xiii)“Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Media and Friedrich Kittler’s Concepts”, in the book Kuyil, (Eds. K.Radhakrishnan and Su.Thamizhvelu), “R” Research Forum, Chennai, December 2015. pp.64-68.ISBN 9789385349041
xiv)“Radio as Today’s Remnant of the Primal Voice,” in the book Chinese Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspective, (Eds.Thanga.Jaysakthivel and Kalaimagal), Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras and CRI/CIBN, People’s Republic of China, January 2016. pp.141-145.
xv)“That was a Spring Season for Voices: Rudolph Arnheim’s Theoretical Arguments of Formalism and 20th Century Tamil Nadu’s Great Voices,”, in the book Sri Lankan Radio From a Multidisciplinary Perspectives, (Ed. Thanga.Jaysakthivel),Dept.of Journalism and Communication, University of Madras, April 11 2016.
xvi)“Sangam Age Communication Traditions – From Contemporary Perspective“, in Thamizh Sippi,(Eds.R.Sampath and J.Kalaivani), “R” Research Centre and Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture, Pondicherry, December 2017.pp.101-106.
xvii) “South African Tamils and Tamil Cinema: Rethinking Diasporic Subjectivities with Dziga Vertov, Gilles Deleuze and Harold Innis,”Absences, Silences and the Margin: A Mosaic of Voices on the Indian Diaspora,Ed.Samuel Asir Raj, Suraji Mukhopadhyay and Nadarajah,Yathumahi Publications, Chennai.2018.
xviii) “Three Tamil Diasporic Women’s One Mission:Discover New Identities,” in Women in the Indian Diaspora, Ed.Amba Pande, pp.105-118. Springer 2018.ISBN 978-981-10-5950-6.
xix) “Materialities of Noise, Sound and Radio,” in Multiple Perspectives on BBC Radio, Ed. Thanga Jaisakthivel, pp.08-20.Tesla 2019.
xx)“The Rhizomatic Constructions of Gandhi on Web 2.0”, in Gandhian Thought and Communication:Rethinking the Mahatma in the Media Age.Ed. Biswajit Das. Sage.2019. ISBN 9789353286699.
xxi) “The Dialectical Processes of Social Media: Towards Hegel and Away from Hegel”, in Communication 4.0 – Communication in a Digital Age. Ed.Upendra Padhi, Utkal University.2019.ISBN 9789353910464.
xxii) “Spatialities and Structures of Feelings of Burmese Tamils. During the “Long March” of 1942: A Gendered Perspective” in Indentured and Post-Indentured Experiences of Women in the Indian Diaspora, Ed.Amba Pande, Springer, 2020. ISBN 9789811511769
xxiii)“Crisis Heterotopia” and “Aura” of the Srilankan Tamils in the Diaspora Narrative of Kannathil Muthamittal” in Tamil Diaspora: Intersectionality of Migration, Religion, Language and Culture, Ed.Peter Vedanayagamony, Serials Publications, January 2020.ISBN 8194556341.
xxiv) Jallikattu Uprising: Rhizomatic Spatialities, Protesting Bodies and Controls,” in Deleuzian and Guattarian Approaches to Contemporary Communication Cultures in India, Ed.Gopalan Ravindran, Springer, March 2020. ISBN 9789811521393.
xxv) “’Crisis heterotopia,’ and ‘aura’ of the Sri Lankan Tamils in the Diasporic Narrative of Kannathil Muthamittal”. In Tamil Diaspora:Intersectionality of Migration, Religion, Language and Culture. Ed.Peter Vedanayagamony, Serials Publishers, New Delhi. December 2020. ISBN 9788194556343.
xxvi)”Tamil Television: Rethinking Form and Content”. In Regional Language Television in India: Profiles and Perspectives, Ed.Mira Desai, Routledge,2022. ISBN 9780367210779.
xxvii) “Cultures of Space, Time and Communication in 18th Century Pondicherry.” In Media and Culture. Ed.Upendra Padhi.IMS, Utkal University.November 2022. ISBN 9789357681902.
xxviii) “Gramscian Effect in Tamil Media”. In Tamil Kurinji. “R” Research Centre and Bharathiar University. December 2022. ISBN 9789385349461.
Journal Articles
i.”An Analysis of the Divergence of Press Opinion and Polled Opinion on National Issues”,ICCTR Journal, India, Vol.III Nos.1-2.1988.
ii.”New Media and Politics: An Analysis of the Campaign Videos of a Regional Political Party in India”,Forum of International Development Studies, Nagoya University, March 1994.
iii.“Transnationalisation of Television in Asia: Trends and Issues”,World Bulletin, University of Philippines. May-Aug.1994.
iv.”Review of Sara Dickey’s Cinema and Urban Poor”,Azia Keizai, Tokyo, 1994.Co-author: Hiroshi Yamashita.
v.”Self, Body, Language and Digital Identities:Readings from Indian Chat Rooms,”Asian Studies,Vol.40. No.1, University of Philippines, Manila. 2004.
vi.”Zizek’s The Fright of Real Tears:Theory, Post-Theory and Kieslowski,”Jurnal Skrin Malaysia, Vol.II No.2 2005.
vii.”Merleau-Ponty, Godard, Sobchack and the Spatial Aesthetics of Rashomon”, Jurnal Skrin Malaysia, Vol.III No.1 2006.
viii.”Zizek’s The Fright of Real Tears:Theory, Post- Theory and Kieslowski,”International Journal of Zizek Studies, Vol.I No.3 2007 (republication).
ix.”The Rhizomatic Flows of Transnational Tamil Cinema in Asia and Web 2.0”, Philippine Sociological Review, Vol.55 Jan.-Dec.2007.
x.“Malaysian Tamils and Transnational Tamil Cinema: Diasporic Identities, Crisis Heterotopia and Aura”,Jurnal Skrin Malaysia,Vol.5, Issue 2, 2008.
xi.”Review of The Matrix of Visual Culture: Working with Deleuze in Film Theory,”Bright Lights Film Journal, Issue 63 Feb. 2009.
xii.”Mobile Phone Intimacies and Moral Panics in India”,Plaridel,University of Philippines, Vol.7 No.2, August 2010.
xiii.”Rethinking the Growth of Indian Press,” Media Development,WACC,Toronto March 2013.
xiv.”Singing Bodies and ‘Movement Images’ in a 1937 Tamil Film: A Deleuzian Perspective,”Journal of Creative Communication, Sage,Vol.6 March 2011 (issued in September 2013).
xv.”100 Years of Indian Cinema: Whose Cinema? Whose Centenary? – The Politics of Temportal Film Historiography”, Deep Focus Cinema,Vol.1 No.4 2013.
xvi)“Democracy, Elections and Print Media in India: At the Intersections of Fictionalised and Partisan Narratives”,Journal of Public Affairs and Change, Winter 2017.
xvii) “Philosophical and Anthropological Explorations of Digital/MNew Media Materialities”,Mizoram University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol.III Issue 2, December 2017.pp.1-7. Available at http://mzuhssjournal.in/archive/28-archive/34-v3n2.html
xix) “Rhetorical Bodies and Movement-Images in the 1949 Tamil FilmVelaikari (House Maid)”,Deleuze and Guattari Studies,Edinburgh University Press,12 (1), pp.45-65.2018.
xx)“Human Rights and Contemporary Indian Journalism: Towards a ‘Journalism for People’,Human Rights Education in Asia-Pacific, Vol.8.2018.Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Centre, Osaka, Japan.
xxii) “The Benevolence of MGR, Subaltern Audiences and the Tamil Nadu State,”Journal of Public Affairs and Change (JPAC) 1 (2), 164-174. 2018.
xxiii) “Marginalisation, Communication, Everyday Lives and Empowerment of Coastal Subaltern Communities of South India, Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute, Nanzan University, Japan.March 2021. Available at https://rci.nanzan-u.ac.jp/jinruiken/publication/ronshu.html ISSN 2434-9577.
Proceedings/Conference Reports
i) “Folk Culture and Communication”, Proceedings of the 15th conference of the Association ofAll India Tamil Teachers, Annamalainagar,1983.Co-author: C Pichandy.
ii) ”Technology Intensive Journalism Learning Environment”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Strengthening Journalism Education in South Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1997. Co-author: Vaidyanathan Natarajan.
iii) ”Connecting Villagers: Digitally Driven News and Social Development in India”,International Conference on Digital News, Social Change and Globalisation,Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Dec.2003. Available at http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/jour/DN2003/programme.html
iv) Negotiating Identities in the Diasporic Space: Transnational Tamil Cinema and Malaysian Indians,”Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Space and Public Sphere in Asia (CSPS), Seoul, South Korea, March 2006.*
v) Transnational Tamil Cinema as a Foucauldian Heterotopia: Diasporic Narratives, Identities and Malaysian Indians”, Proceedings of Whither the Orient:Asians in Asian and Non-Asian Cinema,2006 Asia Culture Forum, Gwangju, South Korea, Oct. 2006.
Discussion Papers
i.”Random Notes on Some Issues in Communication”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. March 1994.
ii“Transnationalisation of Television in Asia: Trends and Issues”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. March 1994.
iii.”Inventing Truth: Conflicts as Content in US News Media”,Discussion Paper, Dept.of International Communication, GSID, Nagoya University. Aug. 1994.
Magazines
i).”The Contributions of Prof.K.Sivathamby to Tamil Film Studies,”Padapetti,No.4 August 2011.
ii) ”Problems in Tamil Journalism: An Historical Analysis.”Ilaignar Muzhakkam,2012.
iii) ”Germany’s Philosopher Nietzsche and Thanthai Periyar”,Sinthanaiyalan, Annual Volume, January 2018,161-165.
iv) “Karl Marx and Thanthai Periyar: From a Communication Perspective”, Sinthanaiyalan,Annual Volume, January2019, 105-112.
v) “Second Sex and Penn En Adimaiyanal: From a Critical Communication Perspective,”Sinthanaiyalan,Annual Volume, January 2022.
vi) “Subalterns, Signores and Subversion: From a Gramscian and Periyar’s Perspective”, Sinthanaiyalan,Annual Volume, January 2023.
iv) “Liberal Arts: The Lost Idea of a University”, Times of India, EducationTimes, Chennai, June 07,2010.
v) “Moral Panic, Cultural Policing”, The Pioneer, February 14, 2009.
vi) “Dravida Mozhiyinam”, Thinkers’ Link Periyar Centenary Volume 1979.
Podcasts
i) “Media Literacy in Marginalised Communities of South India”, Asian Ethnology Podcast, Interviewer: Dr Ben Dorman, Nanzan University, Japan. https://asianethnology.org/page/podcastravindran. March 06 2020.
GR 