REPORT ON THE TWO-DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR ON DECOLONISE TO RECLAIM THE SELFHOOD

The Centre for South Indian Studies (CSIS), in association with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), organised a two-day National Seminar on the theme “Decolonise to Reclaim the Selfhood” on 13th and 14th February 2026 at the Chinmaya Institute of Management and Technology.

The seminar commenced with a prayer, followed by the welcome address delivered by Dr. Krishnakumar P., Principal of Chinmaya Institute of Management and Technology. A short video presentation introducing the theme of the seminar was screened thereafter. The formal inauguration was carried out by the Chief Guest, Admiral R. Harikumar, who lit the ceremonial lamp. In his inaugural address, the Admiral appreciated the relevance of organising a seminar on such a significant theme and reflected upon his contributions to the nation in alignment with the broader vision of decolonisation and national selfhood. This was followed by the Presidential Address by Prof. M. V. Natesan, Retired Professor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, and the Keynote Address by M. Sreenathan, Senior Professor (Rtd.) and Senior Fellow at the International School of Dravidian Linguistics, Thiruvananthapuram. The Guest of Honour, Prof. (Dr.) Kiyoshi Kawahara of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Takushoku University, Tokyo, Japan, also addressed the gathering. Felicitations were offered by Sri C. Venugopalan, Trustee Treasurer of Chinmaya Institute of Management and Technology, and the session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by R. Harinarayanan, Coordinator, CSIS.

The academic sessions began with a special lecture on “Re-Discovery of Indian Civilisation” by Prof. K. K. Muhammed, one of India’s distinguished archaeologists and heritage conservationists. In his lecture, he discussed the Ramajanmabhumi excavation and excavations related to the Mahabharata period. The session was chaired by Dr. Mohandas, Retired Professor and Head of the Department of Development Economics, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management, Kerala Agricultural University. The subsequent session on “Successful Resistance Against Colonialism in South India” was chaired by Dr. Amruth G. Kumar, Professor in the Department of Education at the Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, and included five presentations, including that of the Chair. This was followed by a session on “Cultural and Intellectual Resistance During the Colonial Rule,” chaired by Prof. Kiyoshi Kawahara, which featured five presentations, including that of the Chair. The first day concluded with an address by Dr. T. P. Sankarankutti Nair, Director General (Rtd.), Centre for Heritage Studies, Tripunithura. The day’s proceedings ended with a cultural programme featuring Sopana Sangeetham performed by Dr. Jagadeesh Nambiar and Shreelakshmi Kallat.

The second day began with a panel discussion on “Themes of Decolonisation Studies,” moderated by Dr. Harshith Joseph, Assistant Professor at The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru. The discussion comprised four presentations, including that of the moderator. The next session, titled “Frameworks of Decolonisation Studies,” was chaired by Prof. K. K. Shine, Director of Central Sanskrit University, Guruvayoor Campus, Thrissur, and included three presentations. This was followed by a session on “Revisiting Forgotten Heroes and Movements,” chaired by Dr. Gopi Krishnan G., Associate Professor and Head of the PG & Research Department of History, NSS Hindu College, Changanassery, which featured five presentations, including that of the Chair. The final academic session on “Colonial Historiography and its Impact on Indian History” was chaired by Dr. R. S. Vineeth, Assistant Professor in the PG & Research Department of History, NSS Hindu College, Changanassery, and included four presentations, including that of the Chair.

The valedictory session began with a welcome address by Dr. P. Sandeep Kumar, Director, CSIS, followed by the Presidential Address by Dr. T. P. Sankarankutti Nair. The Chief Guest of the valedictory session, Sri Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, inaugurated the session by lighting the ceremonial lamp. During the programme, five books were officially released, a student from Chinmaya Mission College, Thrissur was felicitated, and certificates were distributed to the Chairs of various sessions by the Hon’ble Governor. In his valedictory address, the Governor elaborated on the various dimensions of colonisation and emphasised the necessity of decolonisation at intellectual and societal levels. The seminar concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Krishnakumar P., Principal of Chinmaya Institute of Management and Technology, followed by the National Anthem, marking the successful completion of the two-day National Seminar.