A Profound Exploration of Literature and Philosophy by Prof. Sundar Sarukkai at Joseph Willy Hall

On July 24, 2023, Joseph Willy Hall hosted a thought-provoking talk by Prof. Sundar Sarukkai, a renowned Professor of Philosophy at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. The session, held from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, was organized by the Department of English in collaboration with the Department of English, Mangalore University. The focal point of the event was Prof. Sarukkai's latest work, Following the Prayer, which delves into the life of a young girl named Kalpana, who chooses to embrace silence.

The event began with a warm welcome by Dr. Melisa M. Goveas, Head of the Department of English, who also escorted Prof. Sarukkai to the dais. Mr. Naveen Kelvin Dalmeida skillfully moderated the session, including the lively interaction that followed the lecture. The distinguished presence of Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, Principal of the College; Dr. Alwyn D’Sa, Registrar; Dr. Charles V. Furtado, Professor and Director of the Admin Block; Dr. Ratan T. Mohunta, Professor and Dean of Research Capacity Building; and Dr. Sylvia Rego, Professor, Department of English, added gravitas to the occasion. Ms. Vijayabharathi, a 2nd-year MA English student and the emcee for the event, delivered the vote of thanks, while the students of Postgraduate Studies in English set the tone with a soulful prayer song.

During his lecture, Prof. Sarukkai illuminated the nuanced boundary between literature and philosophy, introducing the audience to the concept of “Democratizing Philosophy.” This idea, new to many English Literature students, offered a fresh perspective on the intersection of abstract philosophical ideas and literary expression. Prof. Sarukkai's narrative approach in Following the Prayer favors abstract ideas over concrete, specific incidents, challenging the conventional storytelling methods. He also touched upon the implications of imposing questions on a child, equating it to the dangers of guiding a child with incorrect instructions, which may distort their understanding and development.

The protagonist, Kalpana, and her complex relationship with God—a trauma that seems absurd at first glance—was highlighted as a key element of the story. The deeper connotations of this trauma reveal the complexities of language and how it can sometimes become a structure of lies.

In his moderator's remarks, Mr. Dalmeida expanded on Prof. Sarukkai's thoughts by drawing comparisons to other literary works and films recommended by the professor. In response, Prof. Sarukkai referenced No Presents Please: Mumbai Stories by Jayant Kaikini, as well as works by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and May-lee Chai, further enriching the discussion. This exchange laid the foundation for a fruitful conversation that spanned topics such as philosophy, the art of writing, the absurdity of life, and childhood.

The interactive session that followed saw students from both the Postgraduate and Undergraduate Studies departments of English engaging deeply with the subject matter, broadening the discussion to include a variety of ideas and questioning whether Following the Prayer could be categorized under the genre of Children's Literature.

Reported by Lakshmi Jayachandran