Aligarh Muslim University Hosts National Seminar on ‘Literature of the 21st Century’ to Mark International Mother Language Day

Aligarh Muslim University News
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ALIGARH February 24: The Department of Modern Indian Languages at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in collaboration with the Marathi Section, organised a two-day national seminar on “Literature of the 21st Century” to mark International Mother Language Day.

In his inaugural speech, Chief Guest, Prof. Danish Iqbal, a renowned national screenwriter, broadcaster, theatre director, and professor at Jamia Millia Islamia, discussed the evolving nature of literature. He remarked, “The deep interconnections of displacement, reimagination, tradition, modernity, and globalisation have ushered in a transformative era for world literature in the second decade of the 21st century.” He added that contemporary literature is closely tied to migration, identity, and the reconstruction of reality, while also emphasising the rich heritage of Indian literature and its global contributions.

Guest of Honour, Prof. Zia Ur Rehman from the Urdu Department, explored the complexities, successes, and perspectives of 21st-century literature. He noted, “Literature in the 21st century faces the challenges of globalisation, and digital platforms have given rise to new perspectives in literature.”

The inaugural session was chaired by Prof. Rizwan Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and former Head of the Department of English, who highlighted that 21st-century literature reflects the complexities of the modern world, with diverse voices and perspectives shaped by change. He emphasised that as a multilingual and multicultural nation, India must focus more on literature itself rather than just literary theory.

Seminar Director and Head of the Marathi Section, Dr. Tahir H. Pathan, shared his insights on 21st-century literature, stating, “This era is defined by technological advancements, globalisation, and socio-political changes. Literature reflects these transformations, and the digital revolution has introduced new ways of literary creation and dissemination.”

The Head of the Department, Prof. Najoom A., welcomed the guests and highlighted how the current artificial intelligence revolution is posing philosophical challenges for humanity. He also spoke about India’s multicultural heritage and literary expressions.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of Dr. Pathan’s book, “Shri Guru Granth Sahib Mein Darj Sant Namdev Ji Ki Vani,” by the distinguished guests. Scholars and researchers from various universities presented their research papers during the seminar.
The program was conducted by Dr. Shakir Ahmed Naikoo, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. R. Tamil Selvan.

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Aligarh Muslim University