enthusiasts from across India. Organized in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, the seminar explored the significance of names in history, language, and society, offering a deep dive into the power of naming practices across cultures and disciplines.
Key Takeaways from the Seminar
The event featured renowned scholars, engaging paper presentations, and dynamic panel discussions that illuminated how names influence identity, power, and historical memory.
Insights from Keynote Speakers
The seminar opened with compelling keynote addresses by:
- Dr. Sudheer C V (Christ College, Irinjalakkuda)
- Dr. Jalsa M (SKVC, Thrissur)
- Dr. Rakesh Cherucodu (SRLC, CIIL, Mysore)
Each speaker emphasized the evolution of onomastics as an academic discipline, highlighting its relevance in literature, migration studies, and socio-political contexts.
Highlights from Paper Presentations
Scholars presented diverse research papers spanning historical, linguistic, and social perspectives on naming. Some of the most engaging topics included:
📍 Historical & Literary Onomastics
- The presence of toponyms in ancient texts like Cilappatikāram
- An onomastic study of R.K. Narayan’s Malgudi and its fictional geography
- The naming traditions of Syrian Christian families in Thrissur
📍 Linguistic & Social Dimensions of Names
- The evolution of Malayalam place names and their phonetic transformations
- How onomastics shapes literature, as seen in Moby-Dick and The God of Small Things
- The impact of migration on anthroponymy, reflecting shifting linguistic landscapes
📍 Naming Practices & Power Structures
- Gendered perspectives on how naming conventions reinforce or challenge social norms
- The political and cultural significance of renaming practices in postcolonial contexts
An Interactive and Engaging Experience
The seminar was not just about academic presentations—it also facilitated thought-provoking discussions on how names function beyond mere labels. Panel discussions encouraged attendees to reflect on the implications of names in power dynamics, identity formation, and collective memory.
Participants engaged in interactive Q&A sessions, exchanging ideas on how naming conventions preserve cultural heritage and shape societal narratives. The event successfully blended linguistic scholarship with real-world applications, making it a memorable experience for all attendees.
Final Thoughts: The Lasting Impact of the Seminar
The Onomastics Seminar 2025 was a resounding success, fostering new research directions and collaborations among scholars. It provided valuable insights into the role of names in history, language, and cultural identity, reinforcing the importance of onomastics in contemporary research.
As attendees departed, many carried with them new perspectives on how names function as powerful tools of communication, history, and identity. The discussions sparked at this seminar are sure to inspire further studies in the field of onomastics in the years to come.
For those who missed the event, selected papers and recordings may be available on the Sree Krishna College Website.
📅 Event Dates: February 27–28, 2025
📍 Venue: Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala
The success of this seminar reaffirms the growing interest in the study of names—a field that continues to bridge the past, present, and future. 🚀
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