Event Details
Special Lecture on “A General Introduction to the Concept of Subaltern and its Significance in Literature”
FROM 01 May 2026 TO 01 May 2026
Venue : SMU @
Special Lecture on “A General Introduction to the Concept of Subaltern and its Significance in Literature”
On 1st May 2026, the Department of English, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, organized a guest lecture on the topic “A General Introduction to the Concept of Subaltern and its Significance in Literature.” The lecture was delivered by Dr Vaidyanath Nishant from the Department of English, Christ University, Bangalore.
Dr Vaidyanath introduced the concept of the subaltern and discussed its relevance in postcolonial literary studies. Referring to key thinkers such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, he highlighted issues of marginalization, voice, and representation. He emphasized how literature can both reflect and challenge the silencing of subaltern groups.
The speaker further discussed how literature becomes a powerful medium to recover, represent, and sometimes problematize subaltern identities. Drawing examples from Indian and postcolonial texts, he illustrated how issues of class, caste, gender, and colonial history shape subaltern experiences. The lecture also encouraged students to critically examine who speaks in a text, whose voices are silenced, and how power structures operate within literary narratives.
The session was highly engaging and interactive. Students actively participated by asking questions related to postcolonial theory and its application in literary analysis. Dr Vaidyanath responded thoughtfully, making complex theoretical ideas accessible and relevant to the learners.
Overall, the lecture provided valuable academic insights into contemporary literary theory and strengthened students' understanding of subaltern studies as an important area within postcolonial discourse. The programme successfully fostered critical thinking and encouraged participants to explore literature through diverse and inclusive perspectives.
