Dr. P. Ahilan
Research Interest:
Visual Art history and theory, Theatre history, Heritage practices, Cultural politics, poetry studies
Email: ahilanp@univ.jfn.ac.lk
Academic profile
Administrative positions
Fellowships, Awards and Prizes
Research and Publications
Writer of Chapters
Author / Editor of Books
Contributions to University
National Services
Supervision and Evaluation – Post Graduate Degree and Research
Services to other Universities
Inter-Department and Inter-Faculty Services
Public Dissemination
Resource Person / Mentor / Consultant
Innovation and Creation
Academic profile
Educational Qualification
2018- 2023; Doctor of philosophy in Art and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
2001; Master of Arts, Art Criticism, The Maharaja Sayajiroa University of Baroda, India. (Thesis: Race and Art history)
1995; Bachelor of Arts, Special Degree in Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. (Dissertation: Domestic architecture among the Jaffna Tamils with special reference to courtyard houses)
1992; Fulfilled the certificate course on teaching Drama and theatre arts, North Ceylon oriental Society, Department of Education, Northern province, Sri Lanka.
Academic Work Experience
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka October 2010 -Undergraduate course: Understanding art, Visual culture theory, Post object art, Art identity and Tamilness, Classical and late classical art in Sri Lanka;, Sociology of art, Heritage management and interdisciplinary course in Media Studies: Visual Communication.
Lecturer, Fine Arts (Probationary), Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2005 Undergraduate course: Indian art, Art and communication, Sri Lankan art, Film History.
Visiting Lecturer,Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2004.Undergraduate course: European art, Theatre and ideology, Social History of Western theatre.
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 1998-2003 Undergraduate courses: European art, Sri Lankan art, Indian sculpture, Modernism in Art.
Administrative positions
Editorial Board Member
- Editor, Ennkazh mannium, Intha nattkazum – Oru Kavitha Nikazhvu (Our land and these days- A poetry enactment) (Tamil), Kalachuvadu publication, Nagercoil, 2019.
- Editor, Edge of the time: Heritages of Jaffna and its protection (Tamil), Peru, Jaffna, 2015.
- Joint editor, Reading the Sri Lankan Society and Culture (Vol-3), an anthology in Tamil, Published by Colombo Centre, 2008.
- Co editor Reading the Sri Lankan Society and Culture (Vol-2), an anthology in Tamil, Published by Colombo Centre, 2007.
- Joint editor, Venkat Saminathan: Vathakalum Vivathankalum (Tamil), Santhiya Pathipakam, Chennai 2010.
Member of Editorial board in the University
- Managing editor, Journal of South Asian Studies, A referred journal for Social sciences and Humanities, (English) Faculty of Arts 2011.
- Editorial board member of Chinthanai: A referred journal for Social sciences and Humanities, (Tamil), Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna (2007-2009).
Member of Editorial Board other than the University
Member of advisory board, Padapetti – Magazine for Film and Photography (Tamil) 2010 -2012 Chennai, India.
- Editorial board member, Art Lab (Tamil and Sinhala versions), Art Lab Collective Jaffna and Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2004 – 2006.
Fellowships, Awards and Prizes
Awards
- Best Poetry Collection Award for ‘Ammai’ by Tamil literary garden, Canada, 2018.
- Government Literature Award 2010, National Heritage and Cultural ministry of Sri Lanka, 2010.
- University Prize (Thambiah Mudaliyar Sathiram trust) for best performance in Special Part III Examination in Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 1996-1997.
- Mylliddy S. Swaminathan Memorial Prize for the best performance in the Final special degree examination in Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 1996-1997.
- C.Sinnathurai Award for all round performance in Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 1996 -1997.
- University Prize (Thambiah Mudaliyar Sathiram trust) for best performance in Special Part II Examination in Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, consecutive 1991-1994.
- Mahapola Higher education scholarship 1992, Government of Sri Lanka.
Research and Publications
Publications: Journal Articles and Reviews
“Political boundaries or Cultural zones? Recontextualizing the iconography of Post- Polonnaruva Buddha images” in Sri Lanka Connected Histories. Marg, Mubai, 2017/ English.
- “Constructing and Deconstructing of Sri Lankan History by Indrabala” Book review on Indrabala’s ‘The evolution of ethnic identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka 300 BCE-1200CE, Panuval, Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry, Colombo Center,Sri Lanka, 2007 / Tamil.
- “Androgyny – Ardhanareswarar : Archeological Notes” , Panuval , Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry in Tamil, Colombo Center, Sri Lanka, 2006.
- “Ideology and Iconography: Arumganavalar as Fifth Saint”, Panuval , Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry in Tamil,Colombo Center, Sri Lanka, 2004.
- “Ideology and Iconography: Arumganavalar as Fifth Saint” (Singala Translation) Padditha , Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry in Singala, Colombo Center, Sri Lanka, 2004.
- “Ancient Religion and art of Sri Lankan Tamils: A Archeological perspective by Paramu Pushparatnam” (Book Review), Panuval , Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry in Tamil, Colombo Center, Sri Lanka, 2003.
Publications: Magazines and News Papers
- Searching through roots: Attoor Ravi Varma, Thai Veedu, Monthly news paper, Canada. July 2019.
- Drawings of Nilani: Boderscape,resistance and identity, Kalachchuvadu literary magazine ,Nagarcoil,Tamil Nadu,India.May 2019.
- Woundscapes (Photo based essay on ‘Three photographers on injury after armed conflict in Sri Lanka’) Kalachchuvadu literary magazine ,Nagarcoil,Tamil Nadu,India.May 2019.
- “Sanathanan’s Displacement” in Zaharam – Tamil Little Magazine, Canada, June 2016.
- “Pani Vayal Uzavan” in Kalachuvadu – Tamil Little Magazine, India, November 2015.
- “Netru Naddanthathuenna” Introduction for Innum varathaseythi – Poetry collection of Urvasi, Kalachchuvadu publications, Tamil Nadu, India 2014.
- “Macha Kusinium,TeeyaKusinium” in Thavira little magazine, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, July – September, 2014.
- “Sanathanan’s ‘Incomplete Thombu: Memory of loss and politics of memory” in Padapetty film and photography magazine, Chennai, India, April 2012.
- “A project proposal for preservation and conservation of heritage of Wanni” in Century celebration magazine of Mullaithevu Vithiyananda College 2011.
- “A home from the distance” column on poetry in Marupathi (Tamil poetry Magazine from Sri Lanka) from 2010.
- “Therukkutu: Festival Theatre of Tamilnadu.”(‘Kalaimugam” January – March 1999, Centre for performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka)
- “Unspoken memories: An introduction of Sanathanan’s Visual Zone.” (‘Sarinikar’, March – April 1998, Colombo,Sri Lanka)
- “Wood carvings of Jaffna: The role of trade guilds.” (Kalaimugam, April – June 1998, Centre for performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.)
- “Artist Assai Rasaiah, among our artists” (Kalaimugam, April – September 1998, Centre for performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.)
- “Space and Figure” (Kalaimugam, January – September 1997, Centre for performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.)
Refereed Conference Papers
‘Border burdens : Floating Boundaries of ethnic lands’, International conference on Poeatic imagination(s) of South Asia: Borders and nations, Organized by South Asian University,New Delhi, India April 2019.
- ‘Kosuvu Chattai: New icon of Tamil bodyscape’, International Seminar on ‘Tamil: Language, land ,identity’ Organized by Department of Tamil and research centere,The American College,Madurai, TamilNadu,India,February 2019.
- ‘Embodiment: Territories and territorialities of the poetry of 1980’s Jaffna’, International Seminar on Creating the new worlds :Multilingualism, Visual arts, the poetic imagination Asian Institute, University of Toronto, June 2018.
- ‘Politics of monumentality : Christian images from Negambo’,International conference on ‘Towards a new Christian Humanistic Ethos’ Organized by Department of Christian Civilization,University of Jaffana, Sri Lanka December 2018.
- “Social Mobilization and domestic architecture: Facades of Jaffna houses 1870-1940”, International Conference on Documentation of Tamil culture,Sadakthulla Appa college, Thirunelveli, Taml Nadu, India December, 2016.
- “New Viswakarmas: Caste and traditional art practice in contemporary Jaffna”, International Conference on Traditional Arts in the context of Globalization, Swami Viplananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, September 2016.
- “Saiva reformation of 19th century Jaffna and the Double Kitchen Tradition”, International Conference on Kitchen: Culinary Ethnology in Sri Lanka, Lanka Decorative Arts and University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, August, 2016.
- “Enacting Victimization: Trauma in Kuzhanthai Shanmugalingam’s Plays”, York Centre of Asian research, Tamil Studies Symposium, York University, Canada, May 2016.
- “Political Boundaries or Cultural zones: Re contextualizing the Iconography of Post-Polonnaruwa period Buddha Images in Sri Lanka”, American institute of Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo, August 2014.
- “Tortured landscapes: Readings on the Paintings of Sanathnan, Visual Narratives from Contemporary Sri Lanka, American institute of Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo, 18 &19 July 2013.
- “Archiving the archivist in Jaffna: Material, Memory and Loss”, Open call: Talks about the Archives AAA and Raking leaves 06- 07, Colombo, July 2013.
- “Art as monument: War and the Politics of Memory”, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, August, 2011.
- “Political boundaries or Culture zones: Nagapatinam and Post Pollanaruwa Buddha Iconography”, National seminar on ‘Rethinking Sri Lankan Art History: Objects, Methods and Politics’, Department of University of Jaffna, March 2011.
- “Bhaba Mohideen: A journey of Sufi Saint of Jaffna, National Seminar, South Eastern University, Oluvil, Sri Lanka, 2009.
- “Literature and Politics: A perspective from the literatures of Arya Chakaravarti’s period of Jaffna Kingdom”, Department of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education( Northern province),Sri Lanka 2009.
- “Ionization of Nayanmars : Politics of representation, International Seminar on the Chola Period”, Hindu cultural ministry of Sri Lanka 2008.
- “Androgyny: Ardanareswara – An Archeological notes”, Faculty forum of Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2008.
- “Formation and Transformation of Triple unit house Architecture in Jaffna”, Jaffna Science Society, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2008.
- “The Problem of Enduring Cultural Properties in Jaffna”, Organized by UNESCO and the Department of Archeology, University of Peradenya, Sri Lanka 2006.
- “Casting and Re casting of Tamil theatre in Sri Lanka, International Seminar, ICES, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2004.
- “Cultural diffusion: Colonialism and Domestic Architecture in Jaffna 1848 – 1948”, Department of Fine Arts , University of Jaffna,Sri Lanka,March 2002.
- “Late Kandiyan murals and Nayaka paintings”, A Seminar on Medievalism: Concepts and Aspects, UGC/ DSA Department Seminar, Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S University of Baroda, Gujarat, India, 2000.
Publications: Translation from English to Tamil
“Silence and the Mother Tounge”,Anuk Arudpragasam, Three language Bodies in one Laandscape: Thannilai/Munnilai/Padarkai, Gothe Institite,2019.
- “Dressing the Colonized Body: Politics, clothing and identity in Sri Lanka”, Neera Wikiramasinghe, Panuval,Referred journal for Socio – Cultural inquiry in Tamil, Colombo Center, Sri Lanka.
- “Is Artist’s Freedom A Negotiated Autonomy” Anoma Perera, Art Lab, Magazine for Art and Heritage, Art Lab Collective, Colombo and Jaffna , Sri Lanka, 2004.
Guest Lectures
Museums,Heritage and Narrting the History, International Webinar talk Series, Department of Tamil, Chikkaiah Naicker College Erode and Dravidian Movement Reserch Center, Tamil Nadu,India,19 July, 2020.
- Poetry enactment: An aesthetic and historical dimension on an art intervention , Tamil Unit, Center for Indian languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 05th March 2020.
- ‘Knowledge to empower heritage: Debates on Ceremonial Entrance at the University of Jaffna’ Section D, Jaffna Science Association,University of Jaffna, November 2019.
- Imaging / Imagining Sakuntala: From painting to film ,Department of Fine Arts,Eastern University,Batticalo,Sri Lanka.October 2019.
- “Land cape of words: Poetry, History and representation”. Department of Tamil, Gandigram Rural Institute(Deemed University) Gandigram ,Tamil Nadu,India, 2017.
- “Cultural Museum”, Department of Folk lore and Folk Resource and Research center, St Xavier’s College, Palayanmkottai,Tamil Nadu, India, 2017.
- “Saramakavikal: Landscape of Wounds”, Young subcontinent ,Serendipity Art festival in Goa,India 2016.
- “Archiving and Heritage”, Millikan Mills Public library, Markham, Canada, 2016.
- “Tagore’s paintings”, Commemoration of Tagore Visit to Jaffna, Public library Jaffna, 2015.
- “Arthanaariswarar : An Archaeological study”, Department of Tamil, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, 2009.
- “Formation of triple unit house architecture in Jaffna”, Department of Folk law, Kamarajar University of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2009.
- “Arthanaariswarar: An Archaeological study, School of Religions, Philosophy and Humanist Thought”,Kamarajar University of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2009.
- “Shadow of Infinity: Drawings of Adimoolam”, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2008.
- “Researches related to art and religion in Sri Lankan universities: A Perspectives School of Religions, Philosophy and Humanist Thought”, Kamarajar University of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2009.
- Series of lectures on Art appreciation & application, Nurses upgrading project ,The Nursing school, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2008.
- “Sri Lankan Tamil Poetry from 1990s”, Seminar on Art and Literature, Centre for Performing Arts, Jaffna,University of Jaffna, and Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2007.
- “Creativity and Poetry: A journey through my writings”, Department of Tamil, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2006.
- “Musical theatre in the theatre perspective”, Seminar on Musical theatre, Centre for Performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Memorial Lectures
“Cultural Capital : Social formation and 19th century Jaffna”, First Founders Memorial Talk of Jaffna Hindu College, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2016.
Research Experience and Grant
Placing Tamil Nadu Buddhism in Sri Lankan Buddhist historical narration from 2014.
- Researching and documenting the domestic and public architectural heritage of Jaffna from 2010.
- UGC Research Project, Sri Lanka, ‘Buddhism in medieval Tamil Nadu’, 2009.
Project Guide: Dr. Thapathi Guga Takura (Centre for Social sciences, Calcutta, India.)
- University of Jaffna, (Faculty of Graduate Studies), ‘Cultural fusion and Courtyard Houses at Valigamam area in Jaffna peninsula from 1850-1940’, 2007.
Writer of Chapters
Writer of Chapters
- “Architecture of Tamils” in ‘Tamilian Art’ (edit) Professor K.Sivathamby, Kumaran Book House Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2007.
- “Triple Unit houses in Jaffna” in ‘Jaffna language and life; A introductory hand book’ (edit) Manommanni Shanmugathas and Mailvahanam Shanmugathas, Kokulam Publications, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2006.
Author / Editor of Books
Publications: Poetry in Tamil
Ammai (Mother) Peru Publication,Nallur,Sri Lanka, 2017 and 2019.
- Saramakavikal (Songs of lament), Peru Publication,Nallur,Sri Lanka, 2011 and 2019.
- Padhungukuzhi Natkal (Bunker days),Kuruththu Publications, Erode, India, 2000 and 2019.
Publications: Poetry Bi Lingual
‘Then there are no witness’ translated by Geetha Sukmaran, Mawenzi House/TSAR Publishers , Canada, 2018.
Publications: Poetry in Anthologies (Tamil and English)
Uprooting the Pumpkin, Oxford University press, New Delhi, 2016.
- Lost evenings, lost lives, Arc Publications, UK 2016.
- Sri Lankan Tamil Poetry, Jaffna, 2014
- Time Will Write a Song For You, Penguin and French institutive of Pondicherry, India 2014.
- Mirrored Images, National Book Trust, India, 2013.
- In our translated world, TSAR, Canada 2013
- Kongu ter valzhkai – 2000 years of Tamil Poetry( Vol II),Tamilnadu, India.
- The Rapids of Great River, The Penguin Book of Tamil Poetry, UK, 2009.
- 20th Century Tamil poetry of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka 2006.
- New Tamil poetry, India, 2006.
- Tamil New Poetry, Katha poet café, New Delni, India, 2005.
- Lute song and lament, TSAR, Canada, 2004.
Contributions to University
University of Jaffna Service
- Member, Building Subcommittee of Faculty of Arts, 2016.
- Member, faculty committee for preparing students record book 2016.
- Member, University Council Subcommittee for building main entrance for University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2016.
- Member, Curriculum evaluation subcommittee of senate from 2015.
- Member, Convocation Committee March 2010.
- Member of Technical Evaluation Committee, IRQUE Project, 2008.
- Chairmen, the subcommittee for purchasing antiques for Hindu art gallery, Faculty of arts, 2008.
- Co-founder, Departmental Visual Archives, 2008.
- Member, Jaffna University team, Southern Sri Lankan Libraries, 2007.
- Senior Treasurer Art Circle, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna from 2006.
- Coordinator, French Film Festival, Jointly organized by Department of Fine Arts, Alliance Francaise and the French embassy of Sri Lanka 2003.
National Services
Member of National / International Committees
- President, Advisory committee of ‘Jaffna Cinema festival’ in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2015, 2016.
- Member of the committee for re building Jaffna municipal council building, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2016.
- Member, Jury for selecting best craftsmen in Northern Peninsula, Sri Lanka, Department of Industries, Northern Provincial Council, Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2015.
- Member, Advisory Board, Sri Lankan Archive for art, architecture and design Jaffna, Sri Lanka from 2015.
- Member, Consultants committee of National Institute of Education of Sri Lanka, from 2013.
- Member, Advisory Board, Noolaham Foundation, Tamil Digital Library and Archives from 2009.
- Chairman, Sethu: Study site for Visual Culture, Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2008-2010.
- Member, Panel of judges, Tamil studies by Tamil literary Garden, Canada 2009.
- Team Member for writing Glossary for Visual Arts, Department of Official Languages of Sri Lanka 2006.
- Invitee for make recommendation for developing the Education of North and East of Sri Lanka, organized by Provincial department of Education, North and Eastern Province of Sri Lanka 2002.
Supervision and Evaluation – Post Graduate Degree and Research
- MA Cultural Studies, Faculty of Graduate studies, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2009-2010.
Services to other Universities
- Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, Eastern University, Sri Lanka 2015. Undergraduate course: Western architecture, Art criticism.
Inter-Department and Inter-Faculty Services
- Visiting Lecturer (Master trainer), MRTC University of Jaffna, 2005,Diploma course: Film appreciation.
- Visiting Lecturer, Cultural Studies, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka,2002-2003, 2009-2010 Graduate course: Art and culture, Expressive culture of Sri Lanka.
Public Dissemination
- Co-founder: Sri Lankan Archive for Contemporary Art, Architecture and Design, Jaffna in 2013.
- Contributor, 2006, Glossary of Technical Terms in Fine Arts, Music and Aesthetics, Department of Official Languages, Sri Lanka.
Resource Person / Mentor / Consultant
Convenor and Resource Person for Workshops
- Resource Person, Young Subcontinent project, Serendipity arts foundation,Goa,India. 2017.
- Resource person, Yong Historians workshop, American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Sri Lanka, 2017.
- Resource person, History and community project workshops, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2016.
- Resource Person, development of school curriculum for art, National institute of Education of Sri Lanka,
- Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2013.
- Resource person, Workshop for Enduring the traditional objects and heritage properties by Piradesa Saba,
- Karaveddy, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2012.
- Conservation and Preservation of Palm leaf Manuscripts, Organized by Department of Fine Arts,
- University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2010.
- Heritage Management, Jointly organized by Department of Fine Arts, Department of Sociology of
- University of Jaffna and the Jaffna Secretariat, Sri Lanka, 2009.
Panelist
- ‘The Global Tamilian’, Kerala Literature Festival-2020 (5th Edition) Organized by DC Kizhakemuri Foundation
- (DCKF), Kerala,17th January 2020 Kozhikode, Kerala,India.
- ‘Dharmasena Pathiraja and the Singala film tradition’ International Jaffna Cinema Festival, 20th Sepember
- 2017, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Innovation and Creation
Curator of Exhibitions
“Pathivukal : Visual art documents from Jesuraja’s personal Archive” Art Circle, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, April 2013.
- “Sabas Studio : An Exhibition of Hand Colored Photography in Jaffna 1965 – 2005”, Art Circle, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, October – November 2010.
- “ ‘Vilaku’ : An exhibition of Kutthuvillaku”(An Exhibition of traditional bronze lamps of Jaffna), Art Circle, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, November 2009.
- “Kadanthakalamum Kalivirakkamum” (Past and Nostalgia) – An exhibition of paintings of Kanagasabai, Art Circle, Department of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka October 2005.
- “Body, Text and Discourse: Recent paintings of Shanaathanan”, Art gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University of Baroda, Gujarat, India 2001.
- “Kannukul Veli’ – An Exhibition of Contemporary Visual Expression of Tamil Culture”, Egmoore, Tamil Nadu, India, 2000.
Experience in Theatre Directions
- “Kuzanthikal pavanai seyum” (Children’s theatre) St John Bosco Maha Vidhyalaya, Jaffna, 1993.
- “Itho Natkal Varum” (Poetry performance) Technical Institute Vaddukkottai, Jaffna, 1991.
- “Sathiya Sothannai” (Educational theatre) Jaffna Hindu College, Jaffna, 1990.
Selected Journalism and Media Experience
Columnist: (Writing about Heritage) Sunday Thinakural Tamil News paper Colombo, Sri Lanka from April 2016.
- Columnist: (Writing about Heritage) Uthayan Tamil News paper, Jaffna, Sri Lanka 2009/2010.
- Staff member of Editorial board – Ezhanadu News daily, Jaffna, Sri Lanka 1994 /1995.