English Literary Week (23rd–29th April 2025)
Organized by Rahul Sankrityayan Subharti School of Linguistics and Foreign Languages (Department of Languages) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, SVSU
“Literature is not just about reading texts; it’s about expressing oneself and connecting across cultures and time,” said Dr. Rafat Khanam
A vibrant English Literary Week with Creative Fervour and Shakespearean Splendour was celebrated by Department of Languages at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) from 23rd to 29th April 2025. Timed to coincide with William Shakespeare’s birth anniversary, the celebration brought together students, faculty, and literary enthusiasts for a week of performances, competitions, and critical engagement with English literature.
The festivities commenced with an inaugural session marked by lighting of the ceremonial lamp before the idol of Maa Saraswati, symbolizing the pursuit of wisdom. The event was formally opened with welcome remarks by Vidhi Goswami, a postgraduate student of English. Prof. Dr. Sudhir Tyagi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, delivered the keynote address, commending the department’s commitment to celebrating literary heritage and urging students to draw inspiration from Shakespeare’s timeless works.
Dr. Rafat Khanam, In-Charge of English and Foreign Languages, addressed the gathering with words of encouragement. She emphasized the importance of cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and eloquence—skills integral to both literary and personal growth.
Dr. Seema Sharma, HOD, encouraged students to actively participate throughout the week and admired Dr. Rafat, the In-Charge of English, for taking the initiative to conceptualize and lead this enriching literary journey. She said that the vision of the department is to promote languages and develop skills in students.
Day-1 English Poetry Symposium was held to honour Shakespeare’s poetic genius and encourage original expression among students. Participants presented both classic and self-composed poetry, showcasing a range of emotions and themes. The performances were judged by Dr. Rajeswar Pal and Dr. Anuj Bawara. Kanishka, a student of B.A. Hons. English, secured the first position for her impactful recitation. Bhumi, B.A. Hons. English followed in second place, while Vidhi, M.A. English secured third position.
Day 2 Quiz Competition, adding a competitive edge to the celebrations, a Shakespeare Quiz Competition tested students’ knowledge of the Bard’s plays, characters, and legacy. Participants impressed the audience with their quick recall and literary insight. Chhavi (M.A. English Final year) emerged as the top scorer, with Vidhi (M.A. English first year) II position and Kanishka, B.A. Hons. English and Manisha Jha, BJMC student also sucured III Position for their sharp responses.
Day -3 Portrait Making Competition
Day -3 Portrait-Making Competition invited students to depict Shakespeare through art. The event highlighted the intersection of visual creativity and literary imagination. Vidhi and Kanishka secured the first prize for their striking collaborative piece, while second and third positions went to Chhavi and Aditi (B.Tech CSE), and a group comprising Samiya, Fahad, and Bhumi, respectively.
Day-4 Paper Presentation focused to scholarly engagement with a paper presentation session dedicated to Shakespearean themes. Students delivered well-researched, thought-provoking papers on various aspects of his work. Samiya won first prize for her presentation titled William Shakespeare: The Greatest Playwright of All Time. Bhumi earned second place with a literary analysis of Sonnet 18, and Chhavi took third for her critical insight into The Psychology of Revenge in Hamlet. The event offered an excellent platform for students to develop and demonstrate their academic voices, with each presentation followed by lively discussions.
Day-5 Shakespeare’s drama the highlight of the week was the theatrical performance of Hamlet, in which students brought Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece to life. The students displayed remarkable enthusiasm and dedication to their roles, bringing life to Shakespeare’s iconic characters. Fahad – Hamlet, Bhumi – Ophelia and Horatio, Chhavi – Claudius, Apurvi – Gertrude, Kanishka – Polonius, Lalrosangi – Laertes, Samiya – Ghost, Mayank – Fortinbras is a list of the cast members and the characters they portrayed.
The play directed and performed by English students met with widespread acclaim for its powerful acting and immersive staging. Fahad’s portrayal of Hamlet captured the character’s inner conflict with sensitivity and depth, while all other characters delivered compelling performances that added emotional richness to the production. The dramatic interpretation drew enthusiastic applause and was lauded as a standout achievement of the event.
Day 6 The closing ceremony was a warm and celebratory affair, marked by reflections on the success of the week. Dr. Rafat Khanam praised the students for their dedication, noting how literature can empower young minds to think critically, speak confidently, and express themselves meaningfully. Dr. Seema Sharma congratulated the participants and organizers, encouraging them to continue exploring literature with the same passion.
Throughout the week, the active involvement of faculty members —including Dr. Rajeswar Pal, Dr. Anuj Bawara, Dr. Ashish Dipankar, Dr. Nishi Raghav, Dr. Preeti, Dr. Swati Sharma, Mr. Ankit Kumar, and Ms. Sanya Agarwal—ensured the smooth and successful execution of each event. The student participants, including Samiya, Kanishka, Vidhi, Chhavi, Bhumi, Fahad, Khushi, Priyanshu, Priyanka, Samema, Angel, Prachi, Deepak, and Anishka Gautam, displayed commendable enthusiasm, creativity, and talent.
The English Literary Week at SVSU concluded with renewed inspiration and a shared sense of literary camaraderie. It served not only as a tribute to Shakespeare’s enduring influence but also as a celebration of youthful imagination, artistic expression, and academic excellence.
