Seminar on Demystifying Popular Literature – English Dept.

The PG & Research Department of English (SF), Kamaraj College organized a National Seminar on Demystifying Popular Literature at GJ Block Seminar Hall on 15.09.2023. A total of 150 participants from various colleges in and around Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts participated in the seminar. The Inauguration session began with a prayer song followed by the lamp lighting ceremony. V.R. Reshma, of I M.A. English and M. Athilakshmi of III B.A. English hosted the programme. F. Shibani of III B.A. English delivered the welcome address. Dr. A. Arunachala Rajan, Vice Principal, Kamaraj College addressed the gathering. Our Vice Principal and Mr. S. Vijaya Ragavan, Assistant Professor of English (SF), Kamaraj College honoured the resource persons with a memento. Mr. A. Aravinth Raja, Assistant Professor of English J.K.K. Nataraja College of Arts and Science, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu; Mrs. R. Ancilin Fernando, Assistant Professor of English, MVJ College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka; and Dr. Mary Josephine Jerina, Guest Lecturer, Government Arts and Science College, Melapillayakulam, Manur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu were the resource persons.

The first lecture for the National Seminar was the Keynote address delivered by Mr. A. Aravinth Raja on the topic “Navigating the Labyrinth of Popular Culture: Unraveling Theories, Trends and Tales in Popular Literature”. A.V. Aslin Jeba of II M.A. English felicitated the resource person. He introduced the participants the idea of ‘Popular’. He expound the Theories, Trends and Tales in Popular literature. The second session was in online mode. S. Rajalakshmi of I M.A. English felicitated the resource person, Mrs. R. Ancilin Fernando who has delivered a lecture on the topic “The Evolution of Social Media’s Impact on Pop Culture: A Comparative Analysis of Trends, Viral Phenomenon, and Societal Changes”. She elucidated the concept of popular literature and culture as well as gave details about its history.

In the afternoon paper presentation session was conducted in six halls, a total of 30 presenters presented their research papers via online and offline mode. Further, the final session was handled by Dr. Mary Josephine Jerina. P. Caleb Mark Evans of II B.A. English felicitated Dr. Jerina. She lectured on the topic “The Enchantment of Speculative Fiction: An Expository Appraisal of Mythopoeia”. She speculated about the controversy and conspiracy in Ramayana and Mahabharata in the context of Elite and Popular culture.

On the valedictory session feedbacks were asked from the participants. They gave us satisfactory feedback about the lecture, food and hospitality. The day came to an end by the vote of thanks delivered by A. Vigneshmurugan of III B.A. English followed by the National Anthem.