Bangalore, Mar 6 (UNI) University of Mysore, Department of Studies in English has organised an International Conference to mark the Centenary year of renowned English Writer R K Narayan from March 7 to 9.

Prof Syd Harrex of the Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia would deliver the keynote address. Prof Harrex, who is also the Founder-Director of the Centre for research in New Literatures in English at his University, has done a pioneering study on Indian English Fiction in the mid-seventies, according to a release issued here today by the Department Chairman Prof Mahadeva.

In all 23 papers would be presented during the Conference in which delegates from Italy, Sri Lanka and Pakistan besides Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Banaras Hindu University and Universities in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and Karnataka are participating.

Some of the papers take an overview of Narayan's entire works while others would focus either on individual novels or make comparative studies. Indian Aesthetics would provide the basis for new Readings of some of his novels.

Prof Mahadeva said that "it is appropriate that Mysore University is the first University in the country to organise an International Conference on R K Narayan to mark his Birth Centenary. While Maharajas College was his Alma Mater, this University was the first to prescribe the works of R K Narayan in its syllabi both at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses".

UNI