11th CI Forum One on “Edible Narratives: The Interplay of Food, Culture, and Identity”
On February 27, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities at ULAB hosted the first forum of the 11th DEH Curriculum Integration (CI) Program. This year's theme, “Edible Narratives: The Interplay of Food, Culture, and Identity,” invited students to critically engage with the cultural, social, and philosophical dimensions of food. The session featured an esteemed panel, including Professor Emeritus, Department of English, DU, and Professor, DEH, ULAB, Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam; Special Advisor (BoT), Professor, Department of English, DU and ULAB, Professor Shamsad Mortuza; and Lecturers of DEH, ULAB, Ms. Anika Tahsin and Ms. Jahanara Tariq. The program was moderated by Mr. Oliur Rahman Sun, Lecturer, DEH.
The event began with a welcome speech by the Department Head and Associate Professor Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman who expressed her gratitude to the panel, faculty members, and students. She emphasized how the forum would allow students to explore real-world issues through their coursework and creative projects, which would be showcased at the end of the term.
Mr. Sun initiated the discussion by reflecting on the deep connections between food, culture, and identity. After introducing the panel, he invited Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam to share his insights.
Professor Islam delved into the culture that surrounds food and gastro-criticism, discussing the politics of food. He explored historical perspectives, referencing ancient texts to highlight how food has long been connected to civilization. He also discussed how gastro-criticism parallels the rise of many theories, especially structuralism and post-structuralism, emphasizing food as a signifier of identity.
Professor Shamsad Mortuza discussed the role of social etiquette in food, how it reinforces ideas of us vs. them, and shapes cultural perceptions. Before concluding, he encouraged the students to critically examine these ideas in their CI projects.
Following Professor Mortuza’s thought-provoking discussion, Ms. Jahanara Tariq began by exploring how food dictates our sense of belonging and identity. She also discussed how the female body is often objectified, tying this to themes of desire and highlighted how food is linked to power structures.
Ms. Anika Tahsin then focused on food as an expression of existence, illustrating her points with literary examples. She analyzed multiple characters, drawing connections between food and existentialism, reflecting on how the two have always been intertwined.
After sharing their individual thoughts, the forum speakers engaged in an introspective discussion on the imperative role that food plays in literature and, by extension, life.
As the discussion neared its conclusion, Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman highlighted how food is a fundamental part of celebration across different cultures, including our own, and serves as a means to build community, especially in diasporic societies.
Following Ms. Rahman’s remarks, Mr. Sun added to the conversation by discussing the role of food in cultural traditions, where food plays a crucial role in preserving heritage and identity.
The session concluded with a note of appreciation from Ms. Rahman who thanked Ms. Irtifa Hasan, Lecturer, DEH, ULAB and Mr. Al Mahmud Rumman, Senior Lecturer, DEH, ULAB for their efforts in organizing the event.
Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, expressed his gratitude to all the speakers and the moderator, presenting them with tokens of appreciation.
The event came to a close with a photo session and a vote of thanks by Ms. Irtifa Hasan.
Report by Tuni Nigar (223013042)
The full discussion is available on the DEH YouTube Channel.
