======MONASH ASIA INSTITUTE BULLETIN [5/2008] [14 July 2008] ======In this bulletin 1. Seminar: EU eyes on Asia Pacific 2. CSEAS Seminar: Karr’s curse 3. Seminar: Indian Dance Innovations 4. Rebuilding of the school of music in Kabul 5. 39th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest 6. Chinese in Prato Conference 7. Forum: Indonesia calling; Indonesian arts today 8. Book Club Forum - Dr Shashi Tharoor 9. Seminar: The Influence of Indian Dance 10. Lecture: Chinese Contemporary Art 11. Seminar: Great cities of Asia 12. Website of the month: TPO Cambodia ======Monash Asia Institute and Monash University News and Events ======Item 1. Seminar Wednesday 16 July 2008, 11:00 am to 12.30pm Room S822, Level 8 South, Building 11 (Menzies) Monash University Clayton campus "EU eyes on Asia Pacific" Seminar presentation by EU visiting scholars Ms Tiphaine Rérolle will speak on "Power and control in development: the bottom up approach under the microscope". Ms Ëef Ronhaar will analyze the Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia and Hezbollah in Lebanon to explore gender equality within Islam, the limitations of gender mainstreaming in Islamic contexts, and its alternatives. Mr Blas Carrillo Sáez will speak on ‘a model for a process of reconciliation between the indigenous and introduced populations of a country: case study of the Koori people in Australia'. The EU visiting scholars are from the Erasmus Mundus International Masters of Humanitarian Action Programme offered by NOHA (The Association of European Universities). RSVP: Monash-Asia-Institute Enquiries <> ------Item 2. Centre of Southeast Asian Studies and Centre of Malaysian Studies Joint Seminar Thursday 17 July 2008, 11-12.30pm Room SG02, Manton Rooms, Ground Floor, Building 11 (Menzies), Monash University Clayton campus 'Karr’s curse: Panic, disease and strategies of control in Colonial Malaya' Professor Lenore Manderson, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Arts, Monash University In recent years there have been increasing reports of re-emergent infectious disease and new viral infections, precipitating considerable global nervousness. Although the political response to these infections has been complicated by fears of bioterrorism and associated racist rhetoric, the practical action has been familiar. Various personal behavioural and public health measures of surveillance and containment have been (re)introduced, sometimes with savage consequence on local populations and economies. In this presentation, I contrast these trends with those of the 19th and 20th century, when moral panic informed state responses to epidemics of disease. Focusing on colonial Malaya, I illustrate how tactics of control and containment were implemented to sustain colonialism, commerce and industrialization. Although I use as my examples primarily malaria and tuberculosis, I reflect also on other epidemics and endemic infections, and so highlight the consistencies over time of local and inter-government approaches to infectious disease, and the economic footings of these responses. Lenore Manderson is Professor at Monash University, Australia in the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and the School of Political and Social Inquiry, Faculty of Arts. Previously, she was Professor of Women’s Health, the University of Melbourne (1999-2005), and from 1988-1998, Professor of Tropical Health, The University of Queensland. She held an inaugural Australia Research Council Federation Fellowship to conduct research on chronic illness, disability, social relationships and well-being in Australia and Southeast Asia. She has published extensively: her books include Sickness and the State: Health and Illness in Colonial Malaya (1996), Global Health Policy, Local Realities (2000), Rethinking Wellbeing (2005) and Chronic Conditions, Fluid States (2009). She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the World Academy of Art and Science, and in 2008, is Hillel Friedland Fellow and Visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Enquiries: Dr Jemma Purdey, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University, ------Item 3. Seminar hosted by Monash Asia Institute, Monash University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Tuesday 29 July 2008 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Date and Time to be confirmed) Monash Conference Centre Level 7, 30 Collins St, Melbourne CBD "Indian Dance Innovations - Indigenous Inspirations not Copies" Dr Sunil Kothari, a leading dance historian, scholar, author and critic of Indian classical dances. Dr Sunil Kothari is the Vice President of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific from India. He is currently a visiting Professor for Dance, School of Arts and Aesthetics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and was formerly Professor and Head, Dept. of Dance, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. He is a recipient of the PADMA SHRI, a civil honour bestowed by the President of India for his outstanding contribution to the field of classical Indian Dance and related arts. Dr Sunil Kothari researches on several aspects of Indian Dance forms, including the Sattriya Dances of Assam. He has written more than 14 books on Indian classical dance. For more details about Dr Kothari, see: http://www.sunilkothari.com RSVP (essential) to Monash-Asia-Institute Enquiries <> with "Indian Dance Innovations" in subject heading. ------Item 4. Rebuilding of the school of music in Kabul The NAMM Foundation, a not-for-profit association whose mission is to unify, lead and strengthen the international music products industry and increase active participation in music making, has pledged an initial $5,000 to help reopen the only school of music in Kabul, Afghanistan. The once-flourishing school was closed during the country’s Civil War, but now has the full support of the Afghani government. The rebuilding of the school of music in Kabul will focus on vocational music training in order to not merely encourage a musical revival, but also create jobs for young musicians. The effort is the pilot program of ROAM or the Revival of Afghan Music project, which was designed by Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, a professional Afghan musician and musicologist, of the Monash Asia Institute. "Music is an important part of social and cultural life in Afghanistan—the Afghan people believe music is food for the soul," said Dr. Sarmast. "But traditional music has suffered over the last 30 years from a combination of factors including civil war and migration." Along with NAMM, the Australian Music Association is also working to assist the project, donating $1,000 to the cause and reaching out to its Members for help with instruments and financial support. More details: http://www.namm.org/press-room/news/news-releases/2008June10a/view ------Item 5. Japanese Language Speech Contest The Steering Committee of the Japanese Language Speech Contest presents: The 39th Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest, Victorian State Final 2008 Saturday 6 September 2008 Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne (Cnr of Monash Rd & Swanston St - Melway Map 2B E7) For anyone who wishes to enter, applications strictly close: Wednesday 27 August 2008 The contest is open to students who are studying Japanese aged 17 and over in Victoria. It is a great opportunity to polish up the language and cultural skills and knowledge which they have acquired, and try them out in the form of the speeches. Please find the information about the contest at: http://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/whatson.html The contest poster can be viewed at: http://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/pdf/poster.pdf ENQUIRIES: Kumiko Toyama (Program Coordinator) Japan Information & Cultural Centre, Consulate-General of Japan Tel: 03-9667-7824 (Direct) Email: Website: http://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/index.html The Speech Contest is organized by: Japanese Language Speech Contest Steering Committee; Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne; The Japan Foundation, Sydney The Speech Contest is sponsored by: The Japanese Society of Melbourne (Perpetual First Prize Trophies); Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Melbourne; Japanese Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria; Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education; the University of Melbourne; Monash University; Swinburne University of Technology; Kanga Kanga; Hakubaku ------Item 6. Conference ‘Chinese in Prato, Italy’ With Europe absorbing more than two million immigrants every year, integration and social cohesion issues are among the hottest in the in-trays of its policy-makers. These issues will be in the spotlight in November when Monash University researchers hold joint discussions with Italian and Chinese academics and government officials at the Monash Centre in Prato, Tuscany. Focused on the social integration of the Chinese and Italian communities in Prato, the discussions aim to further research in this area by bringing together experts and government officials from Australia, Europe and China. "We aim to generate new perspectives on these issues by examining how the Chinese community is portrayed in the local media, the perceptions the communities have of each other, the urban development of the areas of Prato where immigrants have settled, and the continuing links with Wenzhou" said Professor Russell Smyth, the project’s leader from Monash University. Chinese immigration to Italy has grown rapidly since the 1980s. Prato, a traditional centre of Italy’s textile industry, now features one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe. The role their remittances play in the development of their home city, Wenzhou (in Zheijang province, south of Shanghai) will also be examined, as well as the role of technology in linking communities in China and Italy. The research will utilise Australia’s depth of expertise on social cohesion and will draw on comparative perspectives from the Chinese community in Melbourne. Registrations and enquiries: http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/units/aberu/conference-08/registration.html ======Other News and Events ======Item 7. Forum: Indonesia calling; Indonesian arts today 2008 Asialink Annual Arts Public Forum Friday 18 July 2008, 9am-5pm Carrillo Gantner Lecture Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne Swanston Street, Melbourne A unique one-day event to learn more about the culture of our most populous neighbour, and how some of Australia's leading arts practitioners have successfully worked with Indonesian colleagues on exciting new projects. Speakers include: * Ariel Heryanto (academic, writer and commentator; Convener, Indonesia Program, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) * Caroline Turner (curator, writer and academic, ANU) * Wulan Dirgantoro (curator and PhD candidate, University of Tasmania) * Dewi Anggraeni (writer) * Julia Suryakusuma (writer) * Susan Barlow (artist) * Arsisto Ambyo (writer and film practitioner) * Barbara Hatley (academic and writer, Professor of Indonesian, University of Tasmania) * Ian Pidd (theatre director) * Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal (choreographer and dancer) * Ria Soemardjo (vocalist) * Amrih Widodo (performer-academic; Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University) Enquiries: Sarah Robins Visual Arts Residency Program/Indonesia-Australia Program, Asialink Email: Phone (direct): +61 3 8344 3581 Fax: +61 3 9347 1768 The forum is free and open to all. More details: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/artsforum2008/ ------Item 8. Book Club Forum: Dr Shashi Tharoor – Passage to India Finale Wednesday 30 July 2008, 6.30 pm Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Basement, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne “The elephant, the tiger & the cell phone – reflections on the ongoing transformation of India” In a rare public appearance in Melbourne, join Indian statesman, author and columnist, Dr Shashi Tharoor, for the finale of our series Passage to India: A Book Club Journey through Contemporary India. A former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Tharoor was the official candidate of India for the succession to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2006. Dr Tharoor is also the award-winning author of nine books. His latest book, “The elephant, the tiger and the cell phone” looks at India as the emerging 21st Century power. Dr Tharoor’s earlier book “Show Business” was made into the film “Bollywood”. Dr Tharoor writes a column for the Dubai based Kaleej Times and a weekly column in The Times of India. He is a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. This event is presented by Asialink and Readings Books Music & Film and supported by the Byron Bay Writers Festival and Southern Cross University. COST: Free RSVP: Essential, please email <mailto:> with “Tharoor” in the subject line. Please note due to expected high demand for seats at this event, Asialink will not confirm emails received. ------Item 9. Asialink seminar Wednesday 30 July 2008, 12.30pm to 2pm Federation Hall, VCA, Grant St, Southbank ‘India: The Influence of Indian Dance - From Classical to Bollywood, From East to West’ In an illustrated talk, Dr Sunil Kothari will trace the developments of contemporary expressions of Indian dance in Bollywood and in western dance forms from its roots within Indian classical dance. Dr Kothari will share the written and rich visual accounts of renowned dancers, choreographers, critics and scholars who have contributed to Indian dance forms. Dr Sunil Kothari is the Visiting Professor for Dance, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. As a member of the executive committee of International Dance Council (UNESCO), Paris, and Vice President of World Dance Alliance for South Asia from India, Dr. Kothari has authored 14 books on Indian dance and was a dance critic of The Times of India group of publications for more than 35 years. Dr. Kothari is the recipient of the Padma Shri, civil honour by the President of India, in 2001 for outstanding contribution to the field of classical Indian Dance and related arts. This event is organised by Asialink and VCA, both at The University of Melbourne and is supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. COST: Free RSVP: To reserve a seat, please send an email to Asialink Events at with "Indian Dance" in the subject line. ------Item 10. Lecture Monday 28 July 2008, 6.15 p.m. for 6.45 p.m. (drinks and nibbles served) Kazari Collector 450 Malvern Road, Prahran “Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know” An illustrated lecture by Dr Melissa Chiu Museum Director & Vice President Global Art Programs Asia Society, New York & author of Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know Chinese contemporary art has emerged as one of the most fascinating and compelling areas of the art market and the contemporary art world at large. Dr Melissa Chiu, Director of the Asia Society in New York, addresses the scope of the Chinese art scene in this lecture, which is the subject of her recent book on Chinese Contemporary Art. Dr. Melissa Chiu is Museum Director and Vice President of Global Art Programs at the Asia Society in New York, where she has worked since 2001. Previously, she was Founding Director of the Asia-Australia Arts Centre in Sydney, Australia (1996-2001). As a leading authority on Asian contemporary art, she has guided a number of major initiatives at the Asia Society Museum, including the launch of a contemporary art collection to complement the museum's outstanding Rockefeller Collection of traditional Asian art. Chiu has been a visiting professor at the CUNY Graduate School, and has lectured at numerous American universities, including Harvard and Columbia. Her recent books include "Breakout: Chinese Art Outside China" (Charta, 2007), which focuses on the international Chinese art diaspora, including Chinese artists living in Australia and "Chinese Contemporary Art: 7 Things You Should Know" (2008). Registrations are essential as places are strictly limited. We would be grateful if you could RSVP by contacting Daphanie Teo at the AustralAsia Centre either by phone 03 9650 0998, facsimile 03 9654 6680 or email ------Item 11. Seminar ‘Great cities of Asia: Xanadu; Beijing, past present and future’ A seminar presented by The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) In Melbourne in conjunction with the National Gallery of Victoria Saturday 2 August 2008 Clemenger BBDO Auditorium NGV International 180 St Kilda Road The modern city of Beijing occupies a site that dates back to Kublai Khan and centuries earlier. Many of its walls and towers still stand; many have fallen prey to the desire for modernization, as have its forests and fields. The history and culture of Beijing reflect the city’s past glories as well as some of the dark secrets of its rulers. In the 21st century China once again attracts pilgrims, traders and visitors from around the world, especially in this Olympic year. This seminar in TAASA’s lecture series on “Great Cities of Asia”, entitled “Xanadu: Past, Present and Future” covers topics on Beijing’s past as well as its present and future role. Speakers and topics: Professor Jocelyn Chey - Beijing in the Western Imagination; Professor Geremie Barme - The cultural heritage of Beijing & its place in Chinese history Dr. Claire Roberts - Hedda Morrison’s Peking Dr. Ye Xiaoqing - Imperial City, Chinese City Aspects of everyday life in old Peking ZiYin Wang Gantner- The film industry in Beijing, then and now John Denton - The cultural issues of foreign architects working in China. Technology transfer or cultural exploitation? Cost: $85 adult / $75 TAASA,NGV,AGS,Powerhouse / $30 Student & concession More information available at: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au Bookings: 86621555 10-5 daily Event Code: PO8111 ------Item 12. Website of the month: TPO Cambodia TPO Cambodia (Transcultural Psychosocial Organization) provides psychosocial intervention in Cambodia. Recently a donor collaborated with SBS TV of the Netherlands organize a TV documentary to raise money for the organization. The documentary can be viewed at the following website: http://www.sbs6.nl/web/show/id=129812/langid=43 (Click on story no 5 and 6.) ======The Monash Asia Institute Newsletter incorporates news items from the six research centres of the Monash Asia Institute, partner organisations and other groups working to promote Asian Studies in Australia. For further information about the Monash Asia Institute and this newsletter: http://www.monash.edu.au/mai/ To unsubscribe, please send an email to: Monash-Asia-Institute Enquiries <> ======9