युक्ती हीने विचारे तु धर्महानि प्रजायते
Lopamudra has nearly 16 years of work experience as a university teacher, a historian, ethnographer, author and columnist. Fluent in English, Hindi and Bangla, she researches in history, popular culture and heritage of India and the SAARC region. Presently, she is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Legal History at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal (India). She has been an Guest Lecturer and also an Assistant Professor at Symbiosis International University, a Culture Specialist at SAARC- Sri Lanka and also a correspondent with the leading English Indian Daily- The Indian Express. She continues to write regularly for various international news websites, including Newsin.Asia (Colombo, Sri Lanka)- (https://newsin.asia/category/lopamudra-column/) and also for South Asia Monitor (based out of New Delhi, India)- (https://www.southasiamonitor.org/contributors/19604/Dr.%20Lopamudra%20Maitra%20Bajpai).
Recently, (2017), she was deputed as the Culture Specialist (Research) at the SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India. Here, she was in-charge of research and publications, organizing seminars and conferences, including all the 8 Member States of the SAARC conglomerate. At the international level, she successfully edited and published 2 volumes of SAARC Art journalwhich, for the first time, included all 8 countries of SAARC region. These issues can be accessed at- March, 2017 issue- http://saarcculture.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/03/issue3.pdf-. September, 2017 issue-http://saarcculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/issue4.pdf).
Recently, she was also a Research Grant Fellow (2017-2019) of the Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka and conducted a historical research work between India and Sri Lanka on the British colonial architecture. This is the only research work of its kind and has been published as a book in 2019, titled- ‘Stories of the Colonial Architecture- Kolkata- Colombo’ (Doshor Publications, Kolkata). This book was released at the prestigious Kolkata International Book Fair (2019).
She has worked as an Assistant Professor (2013-2015) at Symbiosis Centre for Media Studies (UG), under Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune, where she was in-charge of various administrative responsibilities, along with teaching the main courses of Journalism, Culture and Communication, Media and Society Interface, Global Media, Film Studies and Assessment. As part of her administrative responsibilities, she was in-charge of three main criterion of NAAC of the college, she was also in-charge of university examination, including organizing question papers, student counselling and organizing Visiting Faculty classes and mostly importantly, organizing placements for students, amidst other administrative work.
She has also represented India at various international platforms, including UNESCO- the most recent being the UNESCO- ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) conference held in Jenjou, South Korea (October, 2020) and ICH conference held in Sharjah (April, 2019). Earlier, she has also represented India at the SAARC Cultural Centre international conference as the Official Nominee of the Govt. of India (April, 2014).
Her earlier work on oral traditions of Bengal from the compilation- Thakurmar Jhuli (Grandmother’s Bag of Tales) is also referred to as part of the basis and Further Reading List on Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thakurmar_Jhuli (“100 years of Thakurmar Jhuli (Grandmother’s Bag of Tales): From Oral Literature to Digital Media – Shaping Thoughts for the Young and Old”. Indian Folklore Research Journal. (7): 77–95).
She is also in the editorial board of international journals, the most recent being Nidan Journal of South Asia from University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa- where she is the Guest Editor for all 4 issues across 2021 and 2022 on Folklore of South Asia.
Across the last few years, Lopamudra has been actively associated with publications of her 4 books from leading publishing houses, including Routledge, UK, Rupa Publications, India and IGRMS (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal), Govt of India. At present, she is working on her 5th book to be released later this year (2022) from Aleph Book Company (Rupa Publishing House). Her books include-
SAARC Art- (As Culture Specialist, SAARC, Sri Lanka)
Editor- SAARC Art magazine–
➢ Issue 3 (Theatre) http://saarcculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/issue3.pdf
➢ Issue 4 (Storytelling and Folklore) http://saarcculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/issue4.pdf
BOOKS – FICTION- (English short stories)
➢ 2015 Lesson Learned. In Crumpled Voices-2 (Gargi Publishers, New Delhi, India)- A short story on female foeticide.
➢ 2007 It happened one night and other stories. Nandimukh Samsad: Kolkata. (Released- Kolkata International
Book Fair, 2019)- Collection of 12 short stories in English Fiction- based on characters and incidents encountered throughout the journey as a journalist, archaeologist and anthropologist).
BOOKS (ACADEMIC)
➢ Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal- Govt of India and Kaveri Publications, New Delhi- 2022. (ISBN- ISBN-978-93-864) ‘Folk art and Religious tradition in Bengal- An aid to understanding the ethnoarchaeology’.
➢ Aleph Book Company (Rupa Publications), India. 2021 (ISBN-978-93-90652-74-7) ‘The Owl Delivered the Good News All Night Long- Folktales, Legends and Modern Lores of India’
➢ Routledge, UK. 2021- (ISBN- 10:0367335514/ ISBN-13:978-0367335519) ‘India, Sri Lanka and the SAARC Region- History, Popular Culture and Heritage’
➢ Doshor Publications. India. 2019- (ISBN-978-81-939544-0-9) ‘Stories of the Colonial Architecture- Kolkata- Colombo’.
CHAPTERS WITHIN BOOKS (ACADEMIC)
➢ 2019 (USA) (ISBN- Online- 978-3-319-73400-2) Folktales and Printed Translations Across the Indian Subcontinent: The Travelling Tales of Niret Guru. In the book- Brunn S., Kehrein R. (eds) Handbook of the Changing World Language Map. Springer, Cham. Switzerland.2019. (pp.1-12) https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-319-73400-2_158-1.pdf
➢ 2019 (INDIA). (ISBN 978-93-86618-64-1) The Force of the Divine Femininity- Connecting Beliefs and Oral Traditions Across Southeast Asia and Beyond. In the book- Amb Lalit Mansingh, Anup K. Mudgal and Udai Bhanu Singh (ed.) Purbasa- East meets West (Synergising the North-east and Eastern India with the Indo-Pacific). Pentagon Press LLP: New Delhi. 2019
➢ (ISBN 978-93-86618-64-1) Intangible Cultural Heritage- Connectivity Across Traditions of South and Southeast Asia. (2nd paper within same publication as above)
➢ 2018 (INDIA) (ISBN 978-81-934244-9-0) Exploring an important aspect of the History of Sri Lanka Through the Popular Proverb- Parangiya Kotte Giya Wage (How the Portuguese Went to Kotte). In Shubha Majumdar and Pampa Biswas (ed.) Pratnadarpan. Paschimbanga Anchalik Itihas O Loksanskriti Charcha Kendra: Kolkata
➢ 2018 (INDIA). (ISBN 978-93-86714-42-8) The Story of Kironmala from Thakurmar Jhuli- Fiesty Bengali Princess Breaking Norms. In the book- Bratati Dey (ed.) Representation of Women Space- Vol- 1. Kunal Books: New Delhi. 2018.
➢ 2017 (SRI LANKA). (ISBN 978-955-704-020-4) Survival And Continuity of Folk Culture Amidst Jain Remains in Purulia District of West Bengal, India. In the Full Paper Volume of International Conference on Buddhism and Jainism in Early Historic Asia (February 16-17, 2017). Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya.
➢ 2014 (SRI LANKA). (ISBN 978-955-4563-26-1)-Concept of Culture Museum Sustaining Intangible Heritage. In The Full Paper Volume of International Conference-Future Museum- An Asian Perspective. Centre for Asian Studies, October, 2014, University of Kelaniya: Sri Lanka.
➢ 2014 (SAARC CULTURE CENTRE- SRI LANKA). (ISBN 978-955-0567-09-6) Intangible Heritage and the Dynamic Art of Storytelling:- Sustainable Development of Cultural Heritage through Different Expressions. In Book of Abstracts- SAARC Research Programme on- Cultural Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development in South Asia, April 28-29, 2014. SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka. http://www.saarcculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=419
➢ 2014 (INDIA). (ISBN 978-81-908305-6-0) Epic Retold- Ramayana Influencing English Graphic Novels for Children in India Over the Years. In Proceedings of the Conference on The Ramayana in Literature Society and the Arts:-February 1-2, 2013. C.P.R. Publications- C.P.R. Institute of Indological Research, Chennai, India. Abstract onlinehttp://ramayanafestival2013.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/abstracts_-web-updation.pdf
➢ 2014 (INDIA). (ISBN 13: 978-93-5110-530-5) Sustainable Cultural Entrepreneurship in India: Contribution of Intangible Heritage of a Region Amidst a Global World. In Abstract Volume- Proceedings of 2nd International Conference of Symbiosis Centre of Management Studies (SCMS), Pune- “Emerging Trends in World Economy Through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development.” (SCMS in association with NITTTR, Bhopal and Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India).
➢ 2013 (SRI LANKA). (ISBN- 978-955-4563-10-0) Patterning Storytelling- Oral Traditions and History in Modern Animation Media in India. In Abstract Volume- International Conference on Asian Art, Culture and Heritage of International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH), Sri Lanka. A volume in association with the Ministry of Culture and the Arts, Centre for Asian Studies of University of Kelaniya and Sri Lanka Foundation. Sri Lanka: International Association for Asian Heritage, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya.
➢ 2013 (SRI LANKA). (ISBN- 978-955-4563-11-7) Personalities in Asian Heritage. Sri Lanka: International Association for Asian Heritage, Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya.
➢ 2013 (INDIA). Cultural Influences of India on Thailand. In Palit Chittabrata, ed. Ancient India Trade and Cultural Relations With South East Asia. Calcutta Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Calcutta Chamber of Commerce with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata (India).
➢ 2012 (INDIA). (ISBN- 978-955-9044-99-4) Mednipur patachitra from West Bengal- Folk art reinvented through modern media and communication. In Asian Art and Culture- A research volume in Honour of Ananda Coomaraswamy. Sri Lanka: Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2012.
➢ 2008 (UK). (ISBN (10): 1-84718-583-5, ISBN (13): 9781847185839) Change and Continuity as Means to Perpetuate Cultural Anxiety:-A Brief Study of Tusu brata Rites and the Worship of Goddess Manasa in Specific Districts of Lateritic West Bengal. In Panchanan Mohanty, Ramesh C. Mallick, Eswarappa Kasi ed. 2008 Ethnographic Discourse of the Other: Conceptual and Methodological Issues. UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
PAPERS IN JOURNALS (ACADEMIC)
➢ 2020 (INDIA) (ISSN 2231-4113) Maritime security and the Indian Ocean. In Śodha Pravāha Vol. 10, Issue II, April 2020 (pp-30-37), India.
➢ 2020 (INDIA) (ISSN 2347-3193) National Cyber Security Awareness and India’s National Cyber Security Strategy 2020. In NAM Today- An International Journal for the New Age Mind. Vol. LXXXVIII No. 07, November -December 2020 (pp-61-64). India.
➢ 2017 (SRI LANKA) (ISSN 2478-107X) An Insight into the Very First Bengali Language Textbooks: A Visual and Historiographical Understanding. In Social Affairs: A journal for the Social Sciences, Vol.-1, No. 6 (pp 44-59), Spring 2017. Colombo: Sri Lanka
➢ 2015 (INDIA) (ISSN 2231-4822) Myths and Folktales in the Patachitra Art of Bengal: Tradition and Modernity. In Chitrolekha International Magazine on Art and Design, Vol V, Number-1, 2015. Theme- “Visual Culture in the Indian Subcontinent. India (pp-124-131). http://www.chitrolekha.com/V5/n1/14_Patachitra_Migration_Tales.pdf
➢ 2015 (INDIA) (ISSN Online-2454-8677) Preliminary ethnographic findings- Discovery of a local Purana Durgarchanakalpamanjari- Surviving tangible and intangible heritage. In International Journal of Research in Sociology and Anthropology (IJRSA) Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2015, PP 1-9 www.arcjournals.org
➢ 2015 (INDIA) (ISSN Print-2454-7646, Online-2454-7654) Intangible Heritage Transformations- Patachitra of Bengal exploring Modern New Media. In International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS) Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2015, PP 1-13 www.arcjournals.org
➢ 2015 (INDIA)- Intangible Heritage Transformations- Patachitra of Bengal Exploring Modern New Media. In Abstract Volume- IIM Ahmedabad- “3rd International Conference on Creativity and Innovation at Grassroots [ICCIG III]”, January 19-22, 2015, IIM Ahmedabad: India
➢ 2014 (SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE- SRI LANKA). (ISSN 2012-922x) Patterning Storytelling: – Oral Traditions and History in Modern Animation Media in India. In SAARC Culture, Volume 5, 2014, PP- 3-21. SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo. Online- SAARC- VOL-5, 2014 | Postcolonialism | Colonialism (scribd.com)
➢ 2014 (INDIA). (ISSN 2321-7065) Complimentary Disciplines and their Significance in India- Oral Traditions, Folklore and Archaeology. In International Journal of English Language, Literature and Humanities. Bhopal: India. Volume II Issue I, April 2014. (pp. 125-143) (Now, renamed- SMART MOVES JOURNAL- IJELLH has been granted new ISSN: 2582-3574). Abstract online- http://ijellh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Complimentary-disciplines-andtheir-significance-in-India-Oral-traditions-folklore-and-archaeology-by-Dr-Lopamudra-Maitra-Bajpai.pdf
➢ 2014. (INDIA) (ISSN: 2321-8274) Popular culture shaping ideas- A 100 years of Bengali children’s magazine Sandesh. https://ijclts.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/ijclts-v1-n2-december-2013.pdf. In Indian Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies- Volume 1, Number 2, December, 2013, (pp-80-104) https://ijclts.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/ijclts-v1-n2-december-2013.pdf
➢ 2014. (INDIA) (ISSN- 2231-4822) Durga idols of Kumartuli- Surviving Oral Traditions Through Changes. In Chitrolekha International Magazine on Art and Design Volume 3, Number 1, 2013 (pp- 17-30) http://chitrolekha.com/artisans-of-kumartuli/#_edn7\ http://chitrolekha.com/
➢ 2013. (INDIA) (ISSN- 2321-8274) Indian Folklore and the “Three Worlds of Experiences’: A New Theory to Understand ‘Learning’ from Folklore in Modern Audio-Visual Media for Children. In Indian Journal of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies. Volume 1, Number 1, September, 2013 (pp. 53-75) https://sites.google.com/site/indjournalofclts/documents
➢ 2013. (INDIA) (ISSN- 2319-1201) Stories of Tuntuni from Bengal- Connecting Oral Traditions with The Global Age Across a century. In Heritage and Us (English e-journal) – Year 2, Issue-1, March/April 2013 (pp.40-51). http://go.epublish4me.com/ebook/ebook?id=10023475
➢ 2012. (SRI LANKA) (ISSN- 2012-922x) Oral-written nexus in Bengali Chharas over the last hundred years: creating new paradigm for children’s literature. In Journal SAARC CULTURE- Vol 3- 2012- SAARC Culture Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2012 (pp.1-37).- http://saarcculture.org/images/stories/pdf/journal_vol3_2012_3rd.pdf
➢ 2011. (INDIA) Popular culture connecting history and media anthropology through imaging communities. In Folklore and Folkloristics (English e-journal) – Vol. 4, No. 2, December 2011. (pp.-33-56) http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indianfolklore.org%2Fjournals%2Findex.php%2Ffofolk%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F1228%2F1414&ei=RfrHUfrWNomTrge-54GoBA&usg=AFQjCNGbh_ruMHNzQAkSWCWzrheQV4oGBQ&sig2=GVL5ck34WA49Hvt9Ni3SwA&bvm=bv.48293060,d.bmk
➢ 2011. (INDIA) Bengali graphic novels for children-Sustaining an intangible heritage of Storytelling traditions from oral to contemporary literature. In Folklore and Folkloristics (English e-journal) – Vol. 4, No. 2, December 2011. (pp. 1-35) http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indianfolklore.org%2Fjournals%2Findex.php%2Ffofolk%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F1159%2F1368&ei=8BLIUeHJNorsrAeViYGQAw&usg=AFQjCNGlFt_md7D8pc1spOZJUF0WZySEZQ&sig2=uAIlMZORd0CrUP4slJo0Ng
➢ 2010. (INDIA) (ISSN- 2230- 780X) Oral traditions and mass communication- A case study of Radh Region of West Bengal (India). In LOUKIK (bilingual journal in English and Bengali) – Volume- 4, Issue No. 1 & 2, 2010. PP-155-165.
➢ 2010. (INDIA) (ISSN- 0972-6462) Communicating words and more:- A study of oral traditions of Radh Bengal (including the districts of Purulia, West Mednipur and Bankura). In IFRJ- Indian Folklore Research Journal-Issue No. 10, December 2010 (pp- 48-64). – Communicating Words and More : A study of oral traditions of Radh Bengal ( including the districts of Purulia , West Mednipur and Bankura ) | Semantic Scholar
➢ 2008. (INDIA) (ISSN- 0972-6462) Childrens’ oral literature and modern mass media in India with Special reference to gradual transformation in West Bengal. In IFRJ- Indian Folklore Research Journal- Vol 5, Number-8, 2008 (pp- 55-64)- Children’s oral literature and modern mass media in India with special reference to gradual transformation in West Bengal | Open Folklore
➢ 2007. (INDIA) (ISSN- 0972-6462) 100 years of Thakurmar Jhuli (Grandmother’s Bag of Tales)- From Oral Literature to Digital Media-Shaping Thoughts for the Young and Old. In IFRJ- Indian Folklore Research Journal- Issue-7, 2007 (pp- 77-95)- 100 years of Thakurmar Jhuli (Grandmother’s Bag of Tales): From Oral Literature to Digital Media – Shaping Thoughts for the Young and Old | Open Folklore
PAPER IN BENGALI JOURNAL
➢ 2009. (INDIA) Reaching beyond peripheries- the global and universal effects on folk religion of Bankura- A case study of few specific areas under survey between November 2006-March 2008- In Haldar, Jaladhar ed. 2009 (Nov.) Pratna Parikrama:- Mallabhum. Vol. 4 (a volume on history and archaeology in Bengali published from Bishnupur (Bankura district, West Bengal, India)
BOOK REVIEWS (ENGLISH- FICTION)
➢ 2007 (published in a leading Indian English Daily- The Statesman). Bandopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan (English translation Bhattacharya, Rimli) 2007 Making A Mango Whistle Puffin Classics, New Delhi, India
BOOK REVIEWS (ENGLISH- NON-FICTION)
➢ 2012. (Published in the online newsletter of International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Europe). Ferrari, Fabrizio 2010 (June 1) Guilty Males and Proud Females: Negotiating Genders in a Bengali Festival. Seagull Books. (ISBN: 978 1 906497 52 1). http://www.newasiabooks.org/publication/guilty-males-and-proud-females-negotiatinggenders-bengali-festival
➢ 2012. (Published in the online newsletter of International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Europe). Lukose, Ritty 2010 (January 24) Liberalization’s Children: Gender, Youth, and Consumer Citizenship in Globalizing India. Duke University. (ISBN: 978 0 8223 4550 3). http://www.newasiabooks.org/publication/liberalizations-childrengender-youth-and-consumer-citizenship-globalizing-india#comment-19573
➢ 2006 (published in a leading Indian English Daily- The Statesman). Menon, Dilip M. 2006 Cultural History of Modern India. Social Science Press, New Delhi, India
➢ 2006 (published in a leading Indian English Daily- The Statesman). Singh, Upinder 2006 Delhi Ancient History. Social Science Press, New Delhi, India
➢ 2006 (published in a leading Indian English Daily- The Statesman). Sengupta, Gautam, Suchira Roychowdhury, Sujit Som 2006 Past and Present- Ethnoarchaeology in India Pragati Publications, New Delhi in collaboration with Centre for Archaeological Studies and Training Eastern India, India
She has been awarded several international and national Fellowships and Scholarships, including- Scholarship from Oral History Association (USA) for attending their Annual Meeting and Seminar, 2021 to present her talk, Research Grant from Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka)- 2017-2019, Junior Research Fellowship from Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR- Govt of India)- 2006-2008, University Grants Commission (UGC) Merit Fellowship- 1999-2001.
She has more than thirty research papers published in international books and journals and has represented India at various international conferences-
– Number of books authored and edited= 4
– Number of research papers in international journals= 20 (Springer publication indexed in Scopus= 1, UNESCO-ICH publication= 1
– Number of chapters in international books= 16
– Number of international conferences attended outside India= 12
– Number of international conferences attended within India= 22
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (WITHIN INDIA)
➢ BHAVNAGAR (INDIA) JUNE 5, 2020 Plenary speaker and presentation- National level online research symposium-“Green@NMC”- Nandkunvarba Mahila College. Title of presentation- Narratives of Waterbodies of South Asia understanding connectivity, Calamities and Creation through Folklores
➢ GANDHINAGAR (INDIA) FEBRUARY 10-11, 2020 Paper presentation and Session Chair- at International Conference on ‘Diaspora Governance in International Relations: Opportunities and Challenges for India’. Organised by Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. Gujarat. Title of paper- Reflections on India’s soft power and intangible cultural heritage- Structuring diasporic identity.
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) JANUARY 10-11, 2019. Paper presentation at international seminar on-‘Evolution of Tradition: Interrogating Transformations in Traditional Folk Performing Arts’- In Collaboration with Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, (IIEST), Shibpur, West Bengal.Kolkata. Title of paper- The Kantha of Bengal- A canvass of convergence of oral trad itions and popular culture
➢ BHUBANESHWAR (INDIA) MARCH 16-19, 2018. Paper presentation at Kalinga International Foundation conference- “Purbasa: East Meets East”. Title of paper- Intangible Cultural Heritage connecting India and South and Southeast Asia.
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) FEBRUARY 23-25, 2018 Paper presentation and Round Table discussion- at ICOM (International Committee for Museum Management)- INTERCOM (International Council of Museums- India chapter)- Discussion centered around- Museum Management- Curriculum and Pedagogy. Kolkata ICOM:India Title of paper- Intangible Cultural Heritage Curriculum and Learning.
➢ BURDWAN (INDIA) FEBRUARY 16, 2018 Paper presentation as a Resource Person at “International Conference on Indian Villages” (February 16, 2018). Bharata Vidya Charcha Kendra and Shyamsunder College-Burdwan. Shyamsunder College:India (Burdwan). Title of paper- Indian Villages down the ages and Intangible Cultural Heritage.
➢ PURULIA (INDIA) MARCH 16-18, 2017 Paper presentation as a Resource Person at Sidho- Kanho Birsa University, Purulia, in association with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, Govt of India. Title of paper- Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) amidst popular culture of India in understanding socio-philosophical traditions.
➢ AHMEDABAD (INDIA) JANUARY 19-22, 2015- Paper presentation at IIM Ahmedabad- “3rd International Conference on Creativity and Innovation at Grassroots [ICCIG III].” India. Title of paper- Intangible Heritage Transformations- Patachitra of Bengal Exploring Modern New Media.
➢ PUNE (INDIA) NOVEMBER 21-22, 2014- Paper presentation at Kathayatra International Conference (Bhaashaa Foundation, Pune chapter)- on- “Translations and Migrations.” India. Title of paper- Migration tales through local ballads:- Patachitra traditions and folktales from Bengal reflecting history.
➢ PUNE (INDIA) MARCH 14-15, 2014- Paper presentation at 2nd International Conference of Symbiosis Centre of Management Studies (SCMS), Pune- “Emerging Trends in World Economy Through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development.” (SCMS in association with National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Bhopal and Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India). Title of paper- Sustainable Cultural Entrepreneurship in India: Contribution of Intangible Heritage of a Region Amidst a Global World.
➢ PUNE (INDIA) (IRC), DECEMBER 14-15, 2013- Attended- India and development partnerships in Asia and Africa: Towards a new paradigm- Symbiosis International University SIU) International Relations Conference being organised by the Symbiosis Institute of International Studies, with the support of the Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India.
➢ CHENNAI (INDIA) February 1-2- 2013- Paper presentation at Conference of C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation, Chennai, India. Title of paper- Epic retold- Ramayana influencing English graphic novels for children in India over the years
➢ MYSORE (INDIA) December, 17 2012- Paper presentation at Indian Folklore Congress- 36 years of excellence-IFC Indian Folklore Congress, Mysore, Karnataka. Title of paper- Preliminary report- A discovery of a local Purana Durgarchanakalpamanjari- Surviving tangible and intangible heritage.
➢ PUNE- KATHA YATRA (INDIA) December, 2012- Paper presentation at International Conference of Regional Stories by Bhaashaa Foundation, Pune chapter. Title of paper- Stories of Tuntuni from Bengal- Connecting oral traditions with the global age across a century.
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) December, 14-15, 2009- Paper presentation at the 3rd Annual International Conference on Management and Social Welfare at Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM), Kolkata, titled- Decisions in Management and Social Sciences for Sustainable Development. Title of paper- Transformations from local to global:- Understanding oral folk tradition and lore through digital media and publications (based on field work of lateritic West Bengal conducted between 2004 and 2006-2009).
➢ HYDERABAD (INDIA) July3-5, 2007- Paper presentation at an international ethnographic seminar at the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Title of paper- Change and continuity as means to Perpetuate cultural anxieties: A brief study of Tusu brata rites and the worship of goddess Manasā in specific districts of lateritic West Bengal (India).
➢ SILIGURI (INDIA) December 18-19, 2006- Paper presentation at the UGC (University Grants Commission) Sponsored International Seminar On ‘Women’s Situations and Women’s Studies: A South Asian Perspective,’under the sub-theme- ‘Cultural Dimensions of Women’s Identity’- at North Bengal University, Centre For Women’s Studies, West Bengal, India. Title of paper- Importance of female deities in folk religion in Bengal: – The perpetuation of anxieties and agonies through the worship of mother Goddess in lateritic Bengal.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES (OUTSIDE INDIA)
➢ UK (online) November 11, 2021- Conference- ‘Shared Narratives’- supported by Trinity Laban, Royal Conservatoire, Scotland and Centre for Black Studies, University of Nottingham. Title of paper- ‘Narratives of masked dance performances of South Asia’
➢ USA (online) OCTOBER 9-14, 2021- Oral History Association, USA- Selected for their Annual Meeting- ‘Moving Stories- to present a talk. Also- awarded a scholarship to attend and present at the international meeting. Title of talk- ‘Modern lore of post-partition India- Untold stories from the last eight decades (under theme-‘Migration in British Colonial South Asia’)
➢ JEONJU (SOUTH KOREA) (online) OCTOBER 29-30, 2021- Invited special talk- UNESCO-ICHCAP webinar. Title of Presentation- ‘Fisherwomen across the Bay of Bengal region (India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh) and the extension of their profession in ICH- Understanding the contributions of a vital part of community and their symbolisms of sustainability, survival, and continuity.’ – 1-5_Lopamudra-Maitra-Bajpai.pdf (unescoichcap.org) [2020 ICH Webinar Series on Maritime ICH] Session 1-5 – YouTube
➢ SHARJAH (UAE) APRIL, 1-5 2019 Paper presentation at IOV (The International Organisation of Folk Art)- in consultative relations with UNESCO and United Nations Economic and Social Council- ECOSOC- World General Assembly. Title of paper- Finding new spaces and expressions- The patachitra paintings from Bengal (India)
➢ KELANIYA (SRI LANKA) FEBRUARY 16-17, 2017 Paper presentation at “International Conference on Buddhism and Jainism in Early Historic Asia” (February 16-17, 2017). Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya. Sri Lanka. Title of paper- Survival And Continuity of Folk Culture Amidst Jain Remains in Purulia District of West Bengal, India.
➢ KATHMANDU (NEPAL) DECEMBER 12-14, 2016 Paper presentation at “Dynamic Borderlands: Livelihoods, Communities and Flows”- of International Institute of Asian Studies (IIAS)-Netherlands. Title of paper- “Stories of Manasamangal Kavya and Behula-Lakhindar in West Bengal Patachitra: Travelling Tales of Man and Nature from Oral Traditions to Global New Media.
➢ KELANIYA (SRI LANKA) OCTOBER 28-29, 2014- Paper presentation at University of Kelaniya’s Centre for Asian Studies International Conference on-Future Museum- An Asian Perspective. Sri Lanka. Title of paper- Concept of Culture Museum Sustaining Intangible Heritage.
➢ KANDY (SRI LANKA) APRIL 28-29, 2014- Paper presentation at SAARC Research Programme International Seminar on- Cultural Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development in South Asia, April 28-29, 2014. SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka. Title of paper- Intangible Heritage and the Dynamic Art of Storytelling:- Sustainable Development of Cultural Heritage through Different Expressions.
➢ COLOMBO (SRI LANKA) AUGUST 21-23, 2013- Paper presentation at International Conference on Asian Art, Culture and Heritage- by Centre for Asian Studies (University of Kelaniya), International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH), Ministry of Culture and the Arts, Sri Lanka Foundation, Sri Lanka. Title of paper- Patterning Storytelling- Oral Traditions and History in Modern Animation Media in India.
➢ KELANIYA (SRI LANKA) September, 2012- Paper presentation at International Seminar of Art History- Paintings, sculpture and minor art- held at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Title of paper- Mednipur pata chitra from West Bengal (India) Folk art reinvented through modern media and communication.
➢ DHAKA (BANGLADESH) December, 2011- Paper presentation at International Congress of Bengal Studies (ICBS) (held at Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Title of paper- Reaching beyond mere education- The survival of age-old Bengali text books in recent times.
➢ MUMBAI October 9-11, 2009- Paper presentation at Annual Seminar of Institute of Historical Studies, Mumbai, India. Title of paper- Print publications and popular culture connecting history and media anthropology through imaging communities- An assessment of pamphlets and books with historical perspectives collected during fieldwork in Bankura district of West Bengal, India (fieldwork conducted between 2004 and 2006-2009).
➢ KOLKATA June, 9, 2009- Paper presentation at Phd pre-submission seminar at the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta. Title of paper- The continuity of folk art and religious tradition in fringe Bengal:- An aid to understanding the ethnoarchaeology of the region.
➢ KOLKATA June, 9, 2009- Paper presentation at Institute of Historical Studies (8/1, Loudon Street, Kolkata-700017), Junior Research Scholar’s Seminar, West Bengal, India. Title of paper- Survival of folk religious traditions in the light of global reach and mass communication of certain parts of fringe Bengal- with reference to ethnoarchaeology and folk tradition of the region (based on field work of the area between 2004 and 2006-2009).
➢ PUNE (INDIA) October, 2022- Invited Special Talk at a workshop organised by Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune as part of their Maharashtra State Faculty Development Academy (MSFDA) workshop on “Learning from the Past: A Multidisciplinary Guide for Curious Teachers” on the topic ” Is there a past to gender bias?” Title of talk- ‘Gender Bias in Academia and role of women in education and Heritage’
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) August, 2022- Invited Special Talk at a Seminar, titled- “Narratives of Criminality, Punishment and Social Justice in Children’s and Young Adult Literature” organized by Department of English- Jadavpur University in collaboration with the Association for Children’s Literature in South Asia. Title of talk- “Varied perceptions of social justice, transgression and punishment in the stories of ‘Tuntunir Boi’ (The book of the taylor bird)”
➢ NEW DELHI-NCR (INDIA) (INDIA) May, 2022- Two hour-long talk at a Faculty Development Programme (FDP)-conducted by Bennett University, Delhi-NCR. Title of talk- “Trends and Approaches in Digital Ethnography and Mass Communication Research.”
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) March-April, 2022- Special Talk to conduct online classes for two Units a 8-weeks online short-term programme. Organised by Centre for Language, Translation and Cultural Studies- Netaji Subhas Open University. 8-weeks Online Short-term Programme. “Folklore Studies in the Digital Age (2nd Cycle). Title of the talk of two units-
(Month-1) Unit-2: Shifting Paradigms in Folklore Studies
(Month-2) Unit-2: Digital Ethnography
➢ NAGPUR (INDIA) November, 2021- Invited Special Guest at Orange City Literature Festival (OCLF), 2021. Title of talk- ‘Significance of understanding folktales and oral narratives in an Indian context, especially in the present global world’- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aF1fOb1RYo
➢ MUMBAI (INDIA) October, 2021- Invited Special Talk at Women Writer’s Fest of SheThePeople TV. Title of talk- Art of the short story and my latest book- ‘The owl delivered the good news all night long-Folktales, legends and lores of India’- https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TD6MaAJJxDE
➢ USA, September 22, 2021- Book reading (podcast) by DesiBooks (USA)- Story reading of 2 stories from her book- ‘The owl delivered the good news all night long- Folktales, legends and lores of India’- Aleph Book Company (2021). https://open.spotify.com/episode/4BT8hHc5ENwaMyvOxD9xhK
➢ PUNE (INDIA) September 11, 2021- Invited special talk at the AIHC (Ancient Indian History, Culture) and Archaeology Discussion Group- Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, Pune. Title of talk- ‘History and narratives- Need to reassess genres, connecting identities, similitudes and uniqueness’
➢ BANGALORE (INDIA) APRIL 18, 2021- Invited for special talk by SEAIC (Storytelling Education and Arts India Council) on the occasion of World Heritage Day. Title of talk- ‘Kolkata and Colombo Colonial Architecture’. MOM#4 Kolkata and Colombo Colonial Architecture by Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai – YouTube
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) MARCH 28,29, 2021- Invited for special talk by KSAS (Kolkata Society for Asian Studies)- 2-day international seminar- ‘Indian Relations with Sri Lanka and Maldives’. Title of paper- ‘Contributions of women across handicrafts and ICH (intangible cultural heritage) across India, Sri Lanka and Maldives- Building up a model of economic sustainability and supplementary household income’- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJvgCnmyY5E (Time- 1:47- 2:23:13)
➢ KOLKATA (INDIA) AUGUST 15, 2020- Invited special talk/lecture on intangible cultural heritage of South Asia. Organised by Centre for Knowledge Ideas and Development Studies (KnIDS)- as part of the Lecture Series on- ‘Learning to Know- Lives and Living’ Title of talk- ‘Folktales and Printed Translations across the Indian Subcontinent: the Travelling Tales of Niret Guru’
➢ GANDHINAGAR (INDIA) June 27, 2020- Invited special Guest Lecture for Central University of Gujarat. Title of talk- ‘India and Asia- Sociocultural connectivity across aspects of intangible cultural heritage (ICH)’
➢ GANDHINAGAR (INDIA) April 23, 2020- Invited Special Talk at Carpe Diem (of students of Bhavnagar University, Gujarat). Title of talk- ‘Sequential storytelling- Narratives connecting history, oral traditions and modern popular culture (with important examples from India and neighbouring countries of South Asia)’-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRG2qzIrW30&t=2s
➢ AHMEDABAD (INDIA) FEBRUARY 7-8, 2020 Session Chair for international conference- “Media Culture and Development : Issues and Perspectives”- at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar open University. Chharodi, Ahmedabad: India.
➢ BATTICALOA (SRI LANKA) SEPTEMBER 16, 2017. Invited Guest Lecture at Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, (SVIAS), Eastern University, Batticaloa. Title of talk-The need to understand Culture Studies and the Intangible Cultural Heritage of India (UNESCO list and some lesser-known examples) and highlighting Cultural Entrepreneurship.
➢ KELANIYA (SRI LANKA) MAY 30, 2017 Invited special guest lecture at Kelaniya University, Sri Lanka. Title of talk- Safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage for sustainable development and cross-cultural communications -Some significant examples from India.
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