CHANDIGARH-May 03, 2013: Department of Evening Studies- Multi disciplinary Research
Centre in Collaboration with Punjabi Academy Delhi has organised a one day seminar
“Reconstructing Identity in Punjabi Novels and Films” in the Golden Jubilee Hall, Panjab
University Chandigarh. In this seminar, the scholars has presented about a dozen
research papers to trace out the problematics of Myth, Subjectivity and Play in the
reconstruction of Punjabi Identity in the films based on Punjabi novels and discussed
the prominent films like, Pinjer, Marhi da Deeva, Ek Chader Maili Si, Train to Pakistan,
Earth 1947 and Warris etc. with a plenary session devoted to the national and
international awards winning film Annhe Ghore da Daan, based on the novel of Punjabi
novelist Gurdial Singh, a Gyanpeeth awardee.
     

In his inaugural address Prof. Arun Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University
remembered the contribution of the Punjabi film makers of Lollywood who established film
industry in Lahore now in Pakistan, in the last century. He has also made in impressive
account of the relationship of literature, cinema and economic growth in the
contemporary Punjabi society.  The seminar was presided over by Prof. Kapil Kapoor,
former Pro Vice-Chancellor, JNU, who in his presidential address pointed out the
significance of oral narrative tradition in novel writing and film making. Prof. Navjit
Johal, deptt. Of Journalism and Mass- Communication of Punjabi University delivered the
Key- note Address and Prof. Pratibha Nagpal, dean faculty of languages, Panjab
University explained the importance of multi-disciplinary studies in contemporary
period. In this session Prof. Sudhir Kumar, Chairman, Department of Evening Studies-
Multi disciplinary Research Centre welcomed the delegates, Prof. Gurpal Singh Sandhu
performed the duty of stage secretary and Prof Indu Tiwari give the vote of thanks.
         
In the other two business sessions, the prominent scholars from the different
Universities of north India including, Prof, Rana Nayar, Prof Rajinderpal Singh Brar, S.
Amarjit grewal, Dr. Gurmukh Singh, Dr. Amandeep, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur and Dr, Rehana
Parveen has presented their research papers on the various topics related to theories of
novel, film studies and making films. The academic sessions were presided over by Prof.
V.K. Mahajan, Prof. Jagbir Singh, Prof. Jaspal Kaur Kaang and Prof. Sukhdev Singh. In
the valedictory session Shri, G K Chatrath, Dean Faculty of Law, chaired the session and
Prof. Satish Kumar Verma, Director, Youth Services Punjabi University delivered the
valedictory address.

The seminar was attended by about two hundred delegates and was unique in its varied
themes and methods of analysis. The textual analysis of the novels and films,  
underpinned by the interdisciplinary approaches has made an effort to trace out the
issues of modern Punjabi society, culture, films and literature and to evolve the
department and Panjab University into the centre of Multi disciplinary academic and
Research activities related to language, literature and culture of Punjab, informed by
Prof. Gurpal Singh, Co- Coordinator- Seminar
Press Release No.223