The 10th National Oral History Conference on Coastal Histories that concluded here on Sunday urged new-age historians to be sensitive to the ‘voice of the voiceless’ as the discipline of history continued to transform as a tool for democratisation.
Around 50 oral historians, representing the length and breadth of the coastal lines of India attended. The conference was hosted by the Kerala Museum, Edappally, along with Geojith Foundation.
Vrunda Pathare, national president of the Oral History Association of India, observed that the lived experiences of marginalised people gained attention through oral and micro histories creating better understanding of the past. “It emphasises a pluralistic and collective memory that values diverse perspectives and narratives. Resultantly, it fosters more inclusive historical consciousness celebrating the multiplicity of voices that shaped the democratic fabric of our society,” she said.
Aditi Nayar Zacharias, director, Kerala Museum, observed that the future of oral history was becoming dynamic with advancements in digital technology. Renowned environmental historian and consulting historian of the Kerala Museum Sebastian Joseph said the initiative to establish memory museums as repositories of lived experiences and indigenous knowledge of ordinary people marked a transformative step in the conservation of histories that had traditionally remained marginalised in Kerala’s historiography.
The political significance of memories as critical data for new epistemological interventions in historical studies cannot be overstated, as they offer alternative frameworks to challenge established narratives and explore nuanced dimensions of power, identity, and cultural continuity, Prof. Sebastian said.
Ankit Alam moderated the academic sessions. K.G. Sreeja and Mariam Dossal delivered keynote speeches under the ‘Janal’ talk series on tidal waves affecting coastal lives and riches drawn from the Kutch region. Surajit Sarkar, Swaroop Bhattacharya, and Pooja Sagar spoke.
Published – January 28, 2025 01:09 am IST
