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Meet on `cultures of knowledge' begins

Staff Reporter

Need for more trans-cultural debate on aesthetics stressed

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

Noted writer Umberto Eco (right) and Prof. Alian Le Pichon at a conference on culture and knowledge at the French Institute on Thursday.

PONDICHERRY: A three-day conference on `cultures of knowledge' began at the French Institute here with an address by writer Umberto Eco on Thursday.

Mr. Eco gave an overview of the western concept of aesthetics and tried to relate it to the Indian concept of aesthetics, that is `rasa'. He said both had their own identity and needed to be analysed further.

He stressed the need for more trans-cultural debates on these subjects to put them in the correct perspective. He spoke about the history of aesthetics, which is a branch of philosophy, construction of beauty and creation of art forms. Mr. Eco's understanding of Indian aesthetics was through the translated works of Indian authors in English. "I was stimulated by the English translation of Indian aesthetics".

He wondered whether the translations could catch the essence and correct meaning. Often they led to misunderstanding of subjects.

"Translation is negotiation" and "it is a difficult task."

The conference is being organised by the Trans-cultural Association created by Mr. Eco and Alain Le Pichon, a professor in the University of Paris.

Prof. Alain Le Pichon said the association aimed at providing Europe with an instrument of observation and reflection of the major trends manifested in the framework of the cultural, scientific and economic relations that it maintained with its partners.

The association brought together anthropologists, philosophers, cultural theorists, sociologists and historians of science from Asia, Europe and Africa on a common platform for taking up research in different cultures.

The association was bringing out an alternate dictionary or encyclopaedia of key words in social sciences. First the dictionary would be launched through a web site and then in book form, he said.

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