Talk Series 4- Eating Habits : Identity, Culture and Politics : Professor Somrita / 22- October -2021

 

 Introduction : Transnational and diasporic cultural configurations is an area of cultural studies which is currently noticeable for a series of trending researches on cultural explorations. The English department of Sacred Heart College, Thevara has initiated a talk series, exclusively for Postgraduate students on ‘Thinking Global South’, with an aim of giving deep insights to the upcoming scholars of this domain. The head of the English Department Dr Rajesh James introduced the audience to the need of these lectures series to encourage students to explore various emerging trends, to chase their passion and to climb up the career ladder in the domain of literature. The fourth lecture in the series was conducted on 22/10/2021 at 7.00 pm on the topic ‘Eating Habits: Identity, Culture and Politics’ by Somrita Urni Ganguly, Head of the Department and Assistant Professor of Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata. Around 150 participants, including UG students, PG students, PHD scholars and faculties took part in the session Discussion

Professor Somrita gave an insightful lecture on the importance of food studies, not only as a means of survival but also as a pathway to explore culture. She further threw light on the politics of the eating habits and how it can inspire and strengthen the bonds between individuals, communities and even countries. She explained food in terms with art, anthropology, history, religion, politics, memory, poetry, allegory as well as sociology. After laying the background and context, Prof. Somrita explained how food culture has become a status quo. She discussed on food and culture in relation with tradition and nostalgia, rhetorical repertoire of aesthetics, identity and uniqueness.The major points proposed by Professor Somrita was about food fascism, notions of purity and impurity associated with food and the influence of media and other institutions on the monitoring of eating habits of people. The session was more informative as she went on giving interesting examples from everyday life, multiple cultures and media. She concluded her talk by evoking curiosity in the participants to delve into the world of food studies with the phrase ‘food encompasses within itself an entire universe.’ Representing the participants, Ashitha Raj of 2MA English responded to the talk by pointing out how Professor Somrita’s talk on ‘Eating Habits: Identity, Culture and Politics’ elucidated the pivotal role played by food in carving cultures and identities. 

Participants raised many questions regarding the scope of food studies in the globalised as well as in local cultural exhibitions. Faculty members of various institutions responded to the talk by putting forth the mission of further extension of the concept of the’ global south’. Finally, on behalf of the audience, Adithya Rajesh of 2MA English expressed gratitude towards Professor Somrita for the enriching session. She further thanked for the exemplary efforts in providing such insightful platforms to the Principal, the Department of English and other faculty members to help the students reach great heights of success.

 Conclusion : The session was enlightening and interesting as it opened a myriad of unexplored aspects related to food studies. Food, being an important cultural artefact and a powerful metaphor that signifies an intimacy with one’s roots , the session explored various aspects regarding food politics and the politics of food in the era of digitalization. The session was highly rewarding since it opened up the need to dismantle food from its regional and cultural identifications and see it as a powerful motif that unifies people. The session greatly inspired students to read, learn and explore more in the terrain of food studies. Recommendations Students expressed their gratitude and interest in such opportunities to explore beyond the canon constrained by the academic syllabus. They suggested to conduct more seminars, especially on fields like Film Studies, Eco-literature.