Authors in Conversation: A Year‑Long International Lecture Series Curated by PIJCACE

In an era where fleeting soundbites often replace meaningful dialogue, Authors in Conversation emerges as a luminous intellectual forum. Curated by the Poorvam International Journal of Creative Arts and Cultural Expressions (PIJCACE) under the visionary guidance of Rik Amrit, Editor‑in‑Chief, this year‑long international lecture series is dedicated to reviving the classical spirit of scholarly exchange.

Spanning literature, philosophy, performance, and interdisciplinary thought, the program brings together leading authors, philosophers, translators, and cultural thinkers in conversation with readers and audiences worldwide. Each session centers on a seminal text or body of work, unfolding as a live dialogue between the author (or translator/editor) and a distinguished interlocutor, enriched by audience interaction.

What makes Authors in Conversation unique is its commitment to cross‑civilizational thought and multilingual traditions. It is not merely a lecture series, but a living archive of ideas — where philosophy meets aesthetics, literature engages cultural studies, and intellectual traditions are illuminated through questioning, reflection, and dialogue.

Designed for students, researchers, faculty, writers, translators, artists and serious readers, the series offers a rare opportunity to engage deeply with texts and thinkers who shape our understanding of culture and knowledge. By bridging disciplines and languages, PIJCACE reaffirms its mission: to foster meaningful intellectual engagement and to celebrate the enduring power of books and ideas in shaping human civilization.

Exploring the Subject as Freedom — A Dialogue with Jay and Nalini

The Authors in Conversation series opens with a commemorative session honoring the 150th birth anniversary of Krishnachandra Bhattacharyya, one of India’s most distinguished philosophers.

This inaugural event sets the tone for the year‑long program by foregrounding rigorous scholarship, cross‑cultural dialogue, and engagement with foundational texts that continue to shape contemporary thought.

On 21 February 2026 at 6:00 PM IST, audiences worldwide were invited to join this free online public event, featuring internationally renowned philosophers Prof. Jay L. Garfield and Prof. Nalini Bhushan. Together, they will present their recent translation of Bhattacharyya’s seminal work — Subject as Freedom, a text that probes the depths of consciousness, self‑knowledge, and the philosophical dimensions of freedom.

The dialogue will not only illuminate Bhattacharyya’s enduring insights but also situate them within the broader landscape of global philosophical discourse. By weaving Indian intellectual traditions into conversations across cultures, the session exemplifies the spirit of Authors in Conversation: ideas examined, questioned, and brought to life through dialogue, moderated by Shri. Nilambar Chakrabarti.

As the organizers note, this inaugural session is more than a tribute — it is a gateway to a year of meaningful intellectual engagement, where books and ideas become bridges across traditions, languages and disciplines.

Poorvam International Journal of Creative Arts and Cultural Expressions (PIJCACE)

REVIVING INTELLECTUAL TRADITIONS THROUGH DIALOGUE

The Poorvam International Journal of Creative Arts and Cultural Expressions (PIJCACE) is a peer‑reviewed global platform advancing interdisciplinary scholarship in the arts, humanities, and cultural studies, with a special focus on South and East Asian traditions.

Through flagship lectures, commemorative sessions, book dialogues, translator conversations, cross‑disciplinary panels, and interactive forums, PIJCACE fosters vibrant exchanges that bridge cultures and ideas.

Participation follows a hybrid model: live online sessions for global audiences and in‑person events in Varanasi and Kolkata, historic centers of intellectual life. Registration is required, with selected sessions archived and certificates available for full lecture cycles.

For details: editor@poorvam.com