The Himalayas are often portrayed as a monolithic entity, a serene, spiritual abode or sometimes a grand, untamed wilderness. Yet, such a singular perspective obscures the rich, diverse, and often contradictory realities of life within this vast and varied landscape. This session challenges that unified narrative, delving into the Himalayas as a mosaic of distinct cultures, communities, and experiences. This session will explore the region not as a static object of study but as a vibrant, living society where myriad stories of growth, tradition, and change coexist. By positioning the Himalayas centrally within the discourses of humanities, we uncover the different and sometimes conflicting truths that shape this complex society, from the vibrant arts and cultural expressions of its people to the power dynamics that govern their daily lives, and the dual realities of development and loss that define their contemporary existence. Our focus is on the people, their unique voices, and the fractured narrative they live and create every day.
Objectives
- To deconstruct the monolithic view of the Himalayas and explore the region as a heterogeneous society with diverse, living cultures.
- To analyse how different communities negotiate the forces of modernisation, development, and tradition in their daily lives.
- To foster a dialogue that brings together multiple perspectives, including but not limited to art, culture, power dynamics, and rehabilitation too paint a nuanced picture of Himalayan life.
- To highlight the often-overlooked stories of individual and collective adjustment, resilience, and loss that are shaping the region today.
Who should join
● Academics and researchers in liberal arts, including but not limited to the disciplines of history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies.
● Artists, filmmakers, and writers focused on environmental and cultural themes of the Himalayas.
● Community leaders and activists from the Himalayan region.
● Students of the humanities, liberal arts, social sciences and environmental studies.
● Independent researchers interested in the human/ecology-centric stories of the Himalayas
Experts Guiding This Session:
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Ms. Baljinder Kaur, Assistant Professor, School of Design, UPES, Dehradun.
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Dr Atri Nautiyal, Dean- School of Liberal Studies and Media, UPES
Sandeep Badoni, Assistant Professor of Management, SGRR University, Dehradun.
Dr Atri Nautiyal, Dean- School of Liberal Studies and Media, UPES
Dr Richa Chilana, Cluster head- School of Liberal studies, UPES
Dr Richa Chilana, Cluster head- School of Liberal studies, UPES
Dr Atri Nautiyal, Dean- School of Liberal Studies and Media, UPES
Mr. Abel Assistant Professor, School of Law, UPES.
Dr Richa Chilana, Cluster head- School of Liberal studies, UPES
Mr. Abel Assistant Professor, School of Law, UPES.
Invited Student Speakers
Mr. Hammad Hasan, Ph.D. scholar at the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES.
Mr. Hammad Hasan, Ph.D. scholar at the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES.
Mr. Hammad Hasan, Ph.D. scholar at the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES.
Mr. Aradhaya Bhatia, final-year engineering student, UPES.
Mr. Hammad Hasan, Ph.D. scholar at the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES.
Mr. Hammad Hasan, Ph.D. scholar at the School of Liberal Studies and Media at UPES.
Contact – Session Chair
Dr. Ritam Dutta, UPES-Dehradun.
Mail: Ritam.Dutta@ddn.Upes.ac.in
Date 11 September
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mode: Hybrid
Venue: Godavari (beside Buzz, Kandoli)
