Goethe-Institutes in Bangladesh and India are set to present a 2-day virtual international conference titled ‘M3: Man, Male, Masculine’ on Friday, 3 September.
M3: Man, Male, Masculine is a South-Asian regional project on the theme of Masculinities. The project aims to discuss current visions of masculinity across the gender spectrum in Bangladesh and India. It explores the current visions on masculinities across the gender spectrum through various discursive, cultural and educational activities. The International Conference will bring together intellectual and cultural perspectives from experts and artists from South Asia and Europe on the theme of masculinities.
The idea is to provide, through various perspectives and formats, a chance to not only develop an understanding of stereotypes and role models but also reflect on individual perceptions of masculinity. The focuses on masculinities in general with a particular emphasis on the prevailing scenario in Bangladesh and India.
On 3 and 4 September 2021 to explore the different notions of masculinity, how men are perceived and how masculinity is constructed in media, art and performances. And how does all this make young humans, who identify themselves as male, feel?
From the Bangladesh frontier, on 4th September at 5.00 pm BST Esha Aurora (Journalist, Bangladesh) and Fikri Anil Altintas (Writer & #HeForShe Catalyst, Germany) will be in conversation regarding Performing Masculinity. The interactive conversation shall encompass perspectives and contexts of gender performance; the Topic of Honor of ascribed non-white masculinity, Gender-based violence and the concepts of Orientalism in masculinity.
Performing Masculinity will also be discussed within the realm of Contemporary South Asian Cinema. A Panel Discussion moderated by film curator and journalist Meenakshi Shedde. The speakers include- Mostofa Sarwar Farooki (Bangladesh), Rubaiyat Hossain (Bangladesh), Devashish Makhija (India) and Tillotama Shome (India).
The discussion intends to explore how different roles are written for men and women actors. It will also look at how differently men and women are directed and treated onset, gender disparity in pay scales for actors, as well as directors. Exploring childhood events that may have shaped them into the people they are today and how often men watch films directed by women.
Other speakers include Urvashi Butalia (Feminist Researcher & Writer, New Delhi), Florian Fischer (freelance Consultant on Social Issues, Germany), Meena Kandaswamy (anti-caste activist, novelist, India), Michael Meuser (Professor of Sociology, Dortmund University), Sumathi Ramaswamy (Professor of History & International Comparative Studies, Duke University, USA), and more.
Artists: Aditi Mittal (writer, comedian, actor, India), Anamika Joshi (Spoken-word artist, India), Mandeep Raikhy (Dance practitioner & choreographer, India), Susanne Sachsse (actress, Berlin Germany), Kerstin Rickermann & Silke Beller, Film-makers Germany) and more will be performing in an around the same topic.
To participate in the conference via Zoom, click here to register in advance for the sessions on 3 and 4 September, read a media release of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh.
