Readers’ Club Activity-Ink for Inquilab: Discourses of Dissent

The Readers’ Club of the Department of English organised Ink for Inquilab, an event which invited any medium of art on the themes: “Recitals of Resistance” and “Discourses of Dissent”, on 14 December 2021. The art/forms included songs, dialogue, audio-visual clips, paintings, rap as well as self-composed poems by the participating students. 

The event was initiated with a brief introduction to the history of dissent in art, followed by spelling out the rules for presentation. There was no language- barrier and students were welcome to bring content that could be shared under five minutes.  

Students chose to perform/ display an eclectic mix of work by well-known authors, poets, painters and singers who have wielded their art in the cause of revolution. Renowned artists such as Pat Parker, Om Prakash Valmiki, Rabindranath Tagore, Phoebe Waller Bridge, Wrabel, Maya Angelou and Abanindranath Tagore’s works echoed in the room, inspiring the audience to vivid discussions on youth voice and activism with regard to such themes such as institutional racism, casteism, body positivity, sexual identity, religious freedom, freedom from colonialism, etc.

Faculty members too participated actively and provided brilliant insights into the role of art/ literature for a better, brighter future. Dr Rimika Singhvi, Head of Department, played an AV presentation featuring Poets in Revolt ! - a  call to write to make things right - so as to further inspire the young audience to be cognisant of their responsibility as part of a critically thinking citizenry, especially in matters of social justice.

The event concluded with a group picture and the resounding cry of ‘Long Live The Revolution!”