The Idea of Belonging
Belonging is a multifaceted concept. It goes beyond mere physical presence or legal status—it involves emotional attachment and a sense of acceptance and validation within a particular community or nation. In the context of India’s diverse landscape, belonging takes on added complexity. What exactly does it mean to feel like one belongs? Is the sense of belonging tied to language, ethnicity, religion, caste, socioeconomic class, or perhaps food habits? And why are we increasingly questioning who truly belongs in India? Has the rise of majoritarianism made it more challenging to define who belongs and who doesn’t?
Furthermore, as societies evolve and undergo demographic shifts—through globalization, urbanization, internal displacements and forced migrations—how does the notion of belonging evolve? What roles do historical narratives, familial ties and personal experiences play? Besides, while we look at history to understand this complex idea, what about those whose overlooked stories do not even belong to our ‘official’ class histories—people who are Adivasi, Dalit, queer and/or differently abled, among others?
As educators shaping young minds, these are some of the urgent and diverse questions that we explored at the 8th Annual History for Peace Conference in Calcutta in August 2024 and subsequently at Delhi Public School, Coimbatore.
READ THE REPORT OF EDITION 2 OF THE CONFERENCE IN COIMBATORE HERE
Celebrating 100 years of
K. G. Subramanyan
Amader Santiniketan
Drawings by K.G. Subramanyan
opening Thursday 7 November 2024 at 6 p.m. with
Prof R. Sivakumar’s informal talk on
HIS Santiniketan
at Waypoint
32B, Sarat Bose Road, Calcutta 700 020
On view till Tuesday, 31 December 2024. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Born in Kerala, Siva Kumar’s early education was in Pune and Kerala, before he moved to Santiniketan in 1974, enrolled in Kala Bhavan and completed his MFA in history of art. Since 1981, Professor Siva Kumar, who is a well-known art historian of his time, has taught art history at Kala Bhavana, where he has held several offices, including that of the Principal.He has spent his entire working life researching the Bengal School of Art, written extensively and curated shows that have been exhibited across the world.His writings on Abanindranath Tagore and the Santiniketan artists have contributed a new perspective, making an important contribution to the reassessment and critical reception of these artists.
Siva Kumar’s relationship with K.G. Subramanyan goes back several decades, and they have shared a very special connection and personal friendship for almost as long. According to art historian Tapati Guha Thakurta R. Siva Kumar’s is ‘An art historical journey that began with and has continuously returned to the work of K. G. Subramanyan’.