Srinagar, Nov 10: The Department of English, University of Kashmir (KU), on Monday inaugurated a three-day workshop on ‘Graphic Narratives’ at the university’s main campus.
The workshop seeks to explore the growing significance of graphic storytelling as a dynamic intersection of literature and visual art, encouraging students and scholars to engage with new forms of creative and academic expression.
Delivering her presidential address at the inaugural session, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan said that such workshops open new avenues of creativity and interdisciplinary learning for students.
“Engaging with visual and literary art forms not only nurtures imagination but also helps students think critically and empathetically about the world around them,” she said, adding that initiatives like these reflect the University’s commitment to promoting holistic and innovative education.
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, emphasized the importance of integrating contemporary literary and visual studies into the academic framework to keep pace with evolving global pedagogical trends.
In her keynote address, graphic novelist, illustrator, and animator Ikroop Sandhu underlined how graphic novels enhance visual literacy and enable readers to interpret narratives through the interplay of art and emotion. Renowned visual artist and author of graphic literature, Sarnath Banerjee, noted that the workshop offers a valuable platform to critically engage with the evolving form of graphic narratives and to explore how art and literature shape contemporary cultural discourses.
Earlier, Head of the Department of English, Prof. Iffat Maqbool, in her welcome address, said the workshop aims to inspire young researchers and students to experiment with diverse storytelling techniques and cultural representations.
The three-day event features expert sessions on both theory and practice, including interactive exercises, demonstrations, and discussions on the evolution, techniques, and narrative power of graphic storytelling.
The workshop is being attended by students and research scholars from the Main and Satellite Campuses. The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Prof. Mufti Mudasir, faculty member, Department of English, KU.
