Conference

Canadian Society for the Study of Comics (CSSC/SCEBD)

Shailee presented her research on South Asian graphic literature at the 2022 international conference hosted by the Canadian Society for the Study of Comics (CSSC/SCEBD) which is a member organization of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Science (FHSS). The title of her paper was ‘Bhimayana: Why is it still relevant?’

 The paper analyzes Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability as a graphic novel that critiques caste discrimination in contemporary India through a unique integration of artistic forms. Shailee explores how it combines the traditional Pradhan Gond art style with the graphic novel format to disrupt conventional Western narrative structures and explore Dalit experiences with nuance. An examination of the novel’s visual symbolism and non-linear storytelling is undertaken to highlight how it effectively challenges the historical narrative of caste as a colonial construct. She argues that this hybrid format creates a dynamic and democratic platform to engage with issues of marginalization and trauma in the context of 21st century South Asia.