Guwahati, April 9, 2025 – The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Guwahati Off-Campus
successfully organized a two-day National Seminar on “Rethinking Culture: Retrospect and
Prospect in the North East India Context” on April 8–9, 2025. Sponsored by ICSSR, NERC,
Shillong, the seminar brought together scholars, students, and practitioners from diverse
backgrounds to engage in critical discussions on the complex cultural dynamics of Northeast
India.
The seminar opened with the institute song and the felicitation of esteemed guests, followed by
an introduction to the theme by Dr. Subeno Kithan, Convener and Faculty at the Centre for
Sociology and Social Anthropology (CSSA). Prof. Jagannath Ambagudia, Campus Director of
TISS Guwahati, delivered the welcome address. The special guest, Prof. N. Sudhakar Rao,
former Professor of Anthropology at the University of Hyderabad, addressed the gathering where
he emphasised the ethical considerations in understanding and writing about culture, followed by
the keynote speech by renowned sociologist Prof. Virginius Xaxa, who is currently a visiting
professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi. In his address, Prof. Xaxa
highlighted the need to view culture not as a fixed concept, but as a dynamic, evolving entity. He
also examined how communities in Northeast India actively shape and present their identities
today. Dr. Abhinandan Saikia, Associate Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities,
TISS Guwahati concluded the inaugural session with a vote of thanks.
The seminar featured several academic sessions in two days covering a wide range of topics,
including ethnography, literature, material culture, social dynamics, legal frameworks, and more.
These sessions explored themes such as food, health, gender, cultural assimilation, and the
impact of digital media on cultural landscapes. The second day included a roundtable discussion
featuring prominent scholars such as Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Prof. N. Sudhakar Rao, Prof.
Kedilezo Kikhi, and Dr. Ngamjahao Kipgen. The discussion examined Northeast Indian cultures
through diverse lenses, including history, traditions, politics, intersubjectivities, and
environmental interaction.
The seminar concluded with a valedictory session chaired by Dr. Yengkhom Jilangamba,
Chairperson, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, TISS Guwahati. Prof. Kalpana Sarathy,
Dean of the School of Social Work, TISS, Guwahati delivered the valedictory address,
underscoring the significance of rethinking methodologies in cultural research to enhance
understanding of the region’s socio-political realities. Dr. Stephen Pamei, Chairperson, Centre
for Sociology and Social Anthropology, TISS Guwahati, offered the closing vote of thanks.
This seminar represents a significant milestone in fostering scholarly collaboration and
advancing the understanding of Northeast India’s rich cultural dynamics. TISS Guwahati Off-
Campus promotes inclusive research and facilitates regional knowledge exchange.