Global South Literatures and Indian Mythology: Indian English Literature and Puranic Itihas

The Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, in collaboration with Nucleus of Learning and Development (NLD), successfully organized an Online National Faculty Development Program titled “Global South Literatures and Indian Mythology: Indian English Literature and Puranic Itihas” from 18 to 24 June 2026. The sessions were conducted online from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm and were led by Dr. Vanya Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Integral University, Lucknow. The program attracted faculty members, researchers, and scholars interested in Indian English Literature, mythology, cultural studies, and postcolonial discourse. The Faculty Development Program reflected Christ University’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic education. The collaboration with Nucleus of Learning and Development strengthened the initiative by bringing together educators from diverse institutions through an accessible online platform.

NLD has consistently promoted meaningful professional development by organizing faculty development programs, certificate courses, workshops, webinars, and short-term courses covering themes such as artificial intelligence in teaching, research methodology, folklore studies, storytelling, medical humanities, and academic publication. This partnership contributed significantly to the quality and reach of the program. The program emphasized the importance of understanding Indian mythology as a foundational knowledge system rather than merely a literary backdrop. It encouraged participants to interpret mythology as an epistemological framework, narrative structure, and strategy of cultural resistance within Indian English Literature and the broader context of Global South studies. The sessions explored foundational Indian mythological thought, gender and Shakti traditions, comparative Global South mythologies, environmental readings through the Aranyakas and the Mahabharata, and the continuing relevance of myths in transmedia, pedagogy, and contemporary research. Each session presented innovative theoretical perspectives while drawing meaningful connections between Indian traditions and other Global South cultures. Discussions examined feminist reinterpretations of mythology alongside West African Oya traditions, Latin American Pachamama narratives, and Aboriginal Australian Dreamtime cosmologies, highlighting shared experiences of decolonization, identity, and cultural resilience. 

The environmental session connected ancient ecological wisdom preserved in Vedic texts and the Mahabharata with contemporary environmental concerns and climate change narratives. The concluding session explored the reinterpretation of mythological figures such as Draupadi, Karna, and Ravana in digital media, public discourse, and modern Indian English fiction, demonstrating the continuing relevance of mythology in contemporary society. Overall, the Faculty Development Program provided a valuable platform for intellectual engagement, interdisciplinary dialogue, and scholarly collaboration. Participants gained a deeper understanding of Indian mythology as an autonomous knowledge tradition, developed comparative perspectives on Global South literary cultures, explored innovative approaches to teaching and research, and appreciated mythology’s enduring significance in literature, ecology, gender studies, and cultural criticism. Interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions further enriched the learning experience by encouraging thoughtful exchange, collaborative reflection, academic networking, and future interdisciplinary research initiatives. The program successfully fostered critical thinking, meaningful academic engagement, and innovative pedagogical practices, making it a rewarding learning experience for all participants. The program concluded with appreciation for the resource person’s insightful presentations, inspiring participants to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives into future teaching, research, and academic collaborations effectively.