The Dept. of English Language & Literature presented an online webinar series – the first of its kind at the University – Lit-Treat: Webinar Series on Life, Language & Literature on 17 and 18 August, 2020.
The series invited a number of speakers, from luminaries in the Sai Organization to experts in English Literature, to address topics related to the title of the webinar series: The Spirit(-ual) of Life in Literature: Characters of Resilience.
Videos of each session are included below.
Sri K Chakravarthi (IAS Retd.), Chancellor, SSSIHL
Dwelling on the theme of the webinar – resilience – by drawing illustrations from the characters of Job from the Book of Ezekiel, and Satya Harishchandra from the Markandeya Purana, the talk highlights that the truly faithful ones can never be tempted to curse God or their fate despite unjustifiable tribulations that they are put through.
Dr. B Venkata Ramana, Asst. Professor, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
The talk explores the characters of William Shakespeare as the springboard to discuss the theme of the webinar. Quoting copiously from Shakespearean plays, he evidences how aging characters display a mounting spirit because of their experience and wisdom.
Dr. Vivek Chauhan and Dr. Aruna Kumar Behera, Associate Professors, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
Conversation on two great literary classics: The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy & Les Miserable by Victor Hugo. The protagonists of both the novels, Michael Henchard and Jean Valjean respectively, are discussed as tragic heroes exhibiting extraordinary resilience.
Dr. Samuel H Sandweiss, MD
The talk addresses the topic of inner-resilience drawing from the speaker’s rich experience as a psychiatrist and as a devotee of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He confirms love for and of God as an essential element for developing inner resilience.
Sri S Gurumurthy, Editor, Thuglak, Prolific writer, Chairman (Vivekananda International Foundation), Director (RBI Central Board)
Dr. Maitali Khanna in conversation with Dr. Dibba Bhargavi, Asst. Professors, Dept. of English Language & Literature, SSSIHL
An insightful presentation on the works of Matthew Arnold and Iris Murdoch.
Prof. (Dr.) C B Sanjeevi, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL