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International Conference To Mark Fifth Centenary of Tulsidas

A P Kamath in Miami

Scholars from India, Trinidad, Nepal and India will celebrate the work of Goswami Tulsidas and study his impact on scholarship and popular art at a conference here from November 26 to 28 at Florida International University, which will be conducted in Hindi and English. This will be the first big conference of its kind in the western hemisphere.

It is organized by Hindu University of America in Orlando in collaboration with World Association. For Vedic Studies, USA and several other academic organizations.

"For more than four centuries, the works of Tulsidas, especially Ramcharitmanas, have had great impact on individuals, society, political systems, arts and culture and will continue to impact these in future," says professor Bhu Sharma, one of the organizers.

"This influence has widened to cover many nationalities through different languages of the world. There has also been great academic activities centered around Tulsidas and his works, resulting in a large number of PhD theses, books, articles, symposia, conferences, academic/social organizations, and centers.

"The conference is meant to bring together not only scholars, researchers, authors, writers of different world languages who have contributed on Tulsidas and his works but also persons of arts, music, media, films, press and above all a very large number of persons who love Ramcharitmanas and other works of Tulsidas."

The symposia include:
Goswami Tulsidas's life and message by Prof Laxminarayan Dubey, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh; Tulsidas's Philosophy and Purport by Dr Chhaya Rai, professor and head, department of post-graduate studies and research in philosophy, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, M P; Comparative study of various versions of the Ramayana with Ramcharitmanas by Dr. Badri Narayan Tiwari, Manas Sangam, Kanpur; Ramcharitmanas and the Bhagwat Gita by Dr Satya P Agarwal, Columbia, Maryland; Sanskrit compositions of Tulsi by Dr Asha Pandey, New Delhi; Periodicals and publications on Tulsidas by Dr Ganesh Dutt, Sitapur, UP; Major works inspired by Tulsidas by Dr Ramanath Tripathi, New Delhi; Influence of Tulsidas's work outside India by Shri Lallan Prasad Vyas, New Delhi; and Relevance of Ramcharitmanas for the present and future generations, Dr (Mrs) Santosh Goyal, Chhatra Marg, University of Delhi.

Also included are talks on Tulsi as a leader and the popular forms using his work such as Ramlilas, films, plays, community recitations by Professor Radhey S Dwivedi, Greenbelt, MD; and Social history of Ramcharitmanas, Professor Nathan Katz, Chairman, Department of Religious Studies, DM 302, Florida International University, University Park, Miami.

It is proposed to honor and recognize persons of different nationalities and languages who have made outstanding contributions on Tulsidas's work in any form -- literature, arts, music, publication, public life, etc.

Nominations giving details of contributions (books, papers, pieces of art, musical compositions, films and episodes, etc.), with full references and suggesting names of three referees, who are familiar with the work of the nominee, may be sent to Dr. Bhu Dev Sharma.

Registration Fee includes conference material, breakfast, lunch and dinner, conference snacks and drinks, and entry to cultural program;$100.00 per person; $160.00 for two in a family; students (Proof required) $50.00.

For registration after October 15, add a late fee of $20.00 per person.

Accommodation: Organizers are negotiating special rates in nearby hotels/motels. Hopefully, following rates will apply: $35.00/$45.00 per night single/double. Participants are free to make their own arrangements.

International Organizing Committee: Dr. V. Krishnamurthy (Former Director, K K Birla Academy, New Delhi): Kamalalaya, 4, Papani Apts., 6, 67th Street, Ashoknagar, Chennai, 60083, Tamil Nadu, Phone, (44)-489-6894.

Dr Vidya Niwas Misra (chief editor, Encyclopedia of Hinduism): M-3, Badshah Bagh, Varanasi, UP-221002; Phone, (542)-356-309.

Ravindranath Maharaj, 1, Mercline Drive, Longenville Old Road, Vhaguanas, Trinidad, West Indies, Phone (868)665-4270, raviji@trinidad.net.

Direct academic correspondence may be directed to Dr Bhu Dev Sharma and registration correspondence to Dr Ram P Agarwal. The following three people are immediately connected with the overall organization of the conference.

Dr Ram Prakash Agarwal, 8220 SW 133 Street, Miami, FL 33156, USA; phone: (305) 238-0327; FAX; (305) 243-3181; e-mail: ragarwal@mednet.med.miami.edu.

Shri Satya D Gupta: 10531 NW 43rd Court, Coral Springs, FL 33065, USA; phone (954)752-1715, Fax (954)346-8648; e-mail: satyagupta@juno.com.

Professor Bhu Dev Sharma, 6300 Ackel Street, No. 265, Metairie, LA 70003, USA; phone (504)454-6348; Fax (504)485-7928, e-mail: bsharma@mail.xula.edu.

If you would like to post any information about forthcoming events or community happenings, please email the details to bettypais@aol.com

Information and photographs can also be mailed to Betty Pais at 87-52 108th Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond Hill, NY 11418-2229, USA.

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