3-4 August 2026
The first workshop of the project “Constructing the Heritage Archive of Orature in Non-Scripted Languages”, part of the collaboration between the AILC-ICLA and the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, aims at examining the theoretical and ethical framework of this research, promoting methodological shifts in research and pedagogy that facilitate inclusion and ethical practice, and producing practical tools that can sustain future research.
Sandipan Das, Abstraction. Acrylic on paper, 2026
For more information on the rationale and scope of the workshop, please see the Call for Papers and Announcement and the description of the overall project Constructing the Heritage Archive of Orature in Non-Scripted Languages.
The Workshop is online and will be hosted by the Centre for Comparative Literature, Goldsmiths, University of London.
Register to attend
Programme
Monday 3 August 2026, 5pm-9pm
Opening session
Professor Lucia Boldrini, Centre for Comparative Literature, Goldsmiths, University of London, and University College London
Professor Dr Lothar Jordan, Chair, Sub-Committee for Education and Research, UNESCO Memory of the World Programme
Professor Ipshita Chanda, President, International Comparative Literature Association.
Inaugural Address
Dr Vijay D’Souza, Associate Fellow in the Study of Endangered Languages at Campion Hall, Associate Member of the Faculty of Linguistics at the University of Oxford, and Director of the North Eastern Institute of Language and Culture (NEILAC), Guwahati.
Chaired by Dr Suchetana Banerjee, Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune.
Session 1
“Performing a People: Mizo Orature and Institutions.” Ms. Candle Vanrempuii, Department of Comparative Literature and India Studies, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Discussant: Dr Cherrie Chhangte, Independent Scholar and Writer
Session 2
“Report on Under-Described Variety of Mara Cluster.” Dr. Laltleipuii, ICFAI University, Mizoram
Discussant: Professor Indranil Dutta, Department of Linguistics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Session 3
“Thenumiapfü üli/Tünümapfü ülyü: Documenting Women's Song Traditions and Oral Memory in Mima Village.” Ms Rovino Livi, Department of Indian and World Literatures, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Discussant: Dr. Kekhronguu Dazo, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Christ University, Bangalore
Tuesday 4 August 2026, 5pm-9pm
Session 4
“Documenting the Heritage Archive of Purgi Folksongs and Traditional Music in Ladakh (Purgipa Melodies).” Mr Syed Roohullah, Independent Film maker and Researcher, Kargil and Mr Abeer Gupta, Director, Achi Association India.
Discussant: Dr Vijay D’Souza, NEILAC, Guwahati
Session 5
“Understanding the Challenges in Documentation of Oral Performative Traditions: Theatre Practices of Adivasis in Odisha.” Ms Ipsita Nayak, Department of Indian and World Literatures, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Discussant: Dr Brahm Prakash, School of Arts & Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Session 6
“Beyond Script : Curating the Liminal Archive.” Ms Padmini Biswas, Paris Lodron University, Salzburg
Discussant: Dr Rahul Kamble, Department of Indian and World Literatures, The English & Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Session 7
“‘My Language has no School’: Mother Tongue as Heritage for Non-Script, ‘Low Resource’ Languages.” Dr. Deepshikha Behera, Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Discussant: Dr Brahm Prakash, School of Arts & Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Conclusion
Dr Suchetana Banerjee, Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, Pune.
Abstracts [coming soon]