Kant and Kafka Day observed at the Department of Foreign Language, AMU
Aligarh : The Department of Foreign Languages, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) hosted Kant & Kafka Day, which was marked by expert talks, student presentations, and cultural activities. The two-day event was organized by the German Section of the Department and was designed to delve into the philosophical and literary contributions of Immanuel Kant and Franz Kafka. This year is of special significance as it marks the Tercentennial of Immanuel Kant’s birth and the Centennial of Franz Kafka’s passing.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, Department of West Asian Studies emphasized the relevance of Kant’s transcendentalism and Kafka’s existentialist themes in today’s socio-cultural and philosophical contexts. He highlighted how such events foster cross-disciplinary discourse, enriching the academic atmosphere of AMU. MA students from the German section presented readings and translations of Kafka’s texts in Urdu, adding a unique cultural dimension to the academic discussions.
The session was chaired by Prof. Mohammad Azher, Chairman of the Department and Dean of the Faculty of International Studies. The convenors, Mr. Syed Salman Abbas, Assistant Professor in German at AMU welcomed the dignitaries while Dr. Suman Singh, and Dr. Subair PM, Assistant Professors in German introduced resource persons.
Inaugural session was followed by two expert talks. The first talk was delivered by Prof. Dr. Rosy Singh from the Centre of German Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Her lecture, titled “New Impulses in the Reception of Franz Kafka,” explored Kafka’s evolving interpretations in the global literary landscape and offered fresh insights into his complex narrative structures.
The second expert talk by Prof. Dr. Babu Thaliath, also from the Centre of German Studies at JNU, on “The Topicality of Kant’s Transcendentalism” drew connections between Kant’s metaphysical propositions and their applicability in modern philosophical inquiries, highlighting how Kant’s work continues to influence contemporary thought.
On the occasion, “Ein Bericht für eine Akademie” (A Report to an Academy), a film by Franz Kafka was screened. The film beautifully encapsulated Kafka’s narrative style and existential angst, setting the tone for the academic discussions that followed.The discussion was moderated by director of the film Mr. Vaibhav Abnave, a faculty member from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
In addition to the expert talks, the programme featured a series of cultural events, including a quiz competition and a meme-making contest, which saw active participation from students.
Prof. Mohammad Azher, Chairman of the Department remarked that such activities were designed to make philosophical discussions accessible and engaging, allowing participants to express their understanding of Kant and Kafka’s ideas in creative ways.
Mr. Syed Salman Abbas proposed a vote of thanks. The day concluded with a campus tour for the resource persons, providing them with an opportunity to explore the vibrant academic environment of AMU.