Research at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute
‘Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it’.
Epictetus
Fields of Research
This page presents an overview of research at the MGI and lists the current research interests of the MGI’s academic staff, regrouped by School.
The MGI welcomes research collaboration and provides research supervision to postgraduate students in fields related to Asian languages and Indian Studies, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Visual Arts, Philosophy, History, Mauritian Studies, Cultural Studies and Chinese Studies.
After more than fifty years of academic and cultural excellence, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute has paved its way as one of the apex Institutes of the educational landscape in Mauritius and has developed into a complex organization with responsibilities covering both Higher Education, research and publication, preservation and dissemination of heritage and contribution to national policy initiatives spanning both academic and cultural areas.
The Centre of Quality Assurance has been established since 2007 and the Centre for Research in 2020.
Research areas cut across five Tertiary Schools, namely:
- The School of Indian Studies
- The School of Performing Arts
- The School of Fine Arts
- The School of Indological Studies, and
- The School of Mauritian and Area Studies.
The Institute is well-established in the humanities, arts and social sciences, with expertise in language curricula, history, human and physical geography, arts-related fields such as cultural policy, arts management amongst others. Such areas constitute priority research areas for the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and inform the development of new programmes of studies and the review of existing programmes of studies.
Supporting Research activity
The Mahatma Gandhi Institute houses the UNESCO-listed Indian Immigration Archives, the Folk Museum of Indian Immigration with a continually growing collection of artefacts and digital materials, a specialized Library for languages and culture, a mediatheque with a collection of original institutional audio and video materials, the Panini Language Laboratory and a large repository of primary sources of information on its premises with the view of offering optimum opportunity to students and established scholars.
The Research Policy Framework is the essential document underpinning research activity, and demonstrates the Institute’s commitment to enhance research, creativity and innovation, and their impact on economic and societal development. The Research Policy Framework is supported by two guiding documents, the Integrity and Ethics Policy and the Funding Policy, which act as pillars to safeguard regulatory compliance and intellectual property.
These documents address policy, technical, practical and ethical questions that have to be considered by scholars at the start of the research journey.
The list of Research themes hereunder provides information on the expertise acquired by academic staff of the Institute and in which they can lead research projects.
RESEARCH THEMES 2020
|
School |
Research Themes / Research Interests |
Academic Staff |
|
School of Mauritian & Area Studies |
Folklore & Oral Traditions Media and Intangible Cultural Heritage Bhojpuri Language and Culture Subject Didactics with Education Folk Literature and Hindi Literature Media Studies, Communication and Journalism |
Dr G. Bissessur (Arvind)
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Discourse Analysis of Bhojpuri songs in Mauritius Bhojpuri Culture and Traditions in Mauritius |
Mr J Dawosing |
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Gender Issues Contemporary Mauritian Society Work-related problems/issues Diabetes Type II and Nutrition patterns |
Mrs Beebeejaun-Muslum Zareen Nishaat |
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Twenty-first century Mauritian literature ·History and memories of Indentured labourers Cultural studies and postcolonialism Feminism and Literary theories Postmodernism |
Mrs. Anisha Badal- Caussy |
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Impact assessment of climate variability and change Education in disaster risk reduction Community vulnerability and resilience |
Ms H.Neerunjun
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School |
Research Themes / Research Interests |
Academic Staff |
|
School of Fine Arts |
Artistic Research and Practice-Led Research History of Mauritian visual arts and Mauritian visual culture Postcolonial visual culture and theories Cultural policy & Arts Management Art and Crafts of the Global South Digital Arts’ impact on the traditional mediums New media |
Dr. Hans Ramduth, Design and Communication Department |
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Brands and CSR Story telling as a Brand Experience Brand management on Social Media Advertising- a creative economy Graphic Design as value creation in Art curation |
Ms. Nooreen Lalmamode, Design and Communication Department |
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Traditional animation techniques CG animation Fiction and non-fiction in animation Virtual reconstruction of tangible and intangible cultural heritage Use of AR/VR/ MXR in Cultural Heritage Open source software for design and animation |
Mrs. Leena Ramduth, Design and Communication Department |
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Modeling for the CG and game industry Digital sketching and sculpting Game industry and globalisation |
Mr. Voshan Pathareddy, Design and Communication Department |
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Practice-based artistic research On nation-building and Identity formation The research will examine theories raised by artworks produced in relation to notions of Identity, migration, multiculturalism and nationhood. The research will express both aesthetic concerns and theoretical thoughts |
Mr. Krishna Luchoomun, Painting Department |
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“Everything old is new again” – Reclaiming, refurnishing and reusing discarded materials for sustainable design projects. Addressing the issues of obsolescence and waste through up-cycling |
Mr. Gerard Foy, Painting Department |
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Artistic Research & Practice-Led Research Contemporary Art practices including painting and installation Bridging theoretical/ conceptual issues and praxis with our regional context Curatorial practices Feminist theories and praxis Artist as social and historical interpreter |
Ms Nirveda Alleck, Painting Department |
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Printmaking Techniques and Popular & Fine printmaking Evolution of traditional printmaking in relation to print technologies Feminist issues in printmaking media Impact of screen printing on visual culture Printmaking as an expanding field in contemporary art |
Ms. Veemanda Curpen, Printmaking Department |
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Sculpture using scrap metal Public sculpture practices Site specific sculptures Handicraft in Mauritius Sculpture ice contemporary medium |
Mr. Nirmal Hurry | |
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Installation using various materials Teracotta technique Craft works Site specific sculptures Commissioned works |
Mrs. Nalini Gopaul |
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School |
Research Themes / Research Interests |
Academic Staff |
|
School of Indian Studies |
Ideologies in Urdu Literature Role of language in the curriculum Film Studies Applied linguistics for language and literature teaching Orientalism and Urdu Studies |
Assoc Prof. Dr B A A Ramtally, Head, School of Indian Studies |
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Mauritian Hindi Literature Curriculum development and creation of OERs Culture, Arts & Creativity Teaching of Hindi as a Second Language Innovative Teaching Pedagogies |
Assoc Prof. Dr K Goodary, Department of Hindi Studies
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Medieval and Modern Hindi Literature (Poetry, Drama) Mauritian Hindi Literature (Poetry & Drama) Indian Diaspora Studies Translation Studies |
Assoc Prof Dr (Miss) R Gobin, Department of Hindi Studies |
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Mauritian Hindi Literature Women Discourse in Hindi Literature Medieval Hindi Literature |
Dr (Mrs) L Jhummun, Department of Hindi Studies |
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Hindi: Second language Teaching and Learning Mauritian Hindi Literature Modern Hindi Poetry Hindi Studies in the Indian Diaspora |
Dr A Chintamunnee, Department of Hindi Studies
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Second Language teaching & learning Indian & Mauritian Hindi Fiction Indian & Mauritian Hindi Journalism Women Discourse in Hindi Literature |
Dr K K Jha, Department of Hindi Studies
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Mauritian & Diaspora Hindi Literature Techno-Pedagogical aspects of Hindi Language Comparative Studies in Literature Media and Film Studies Hindi Language in International context |
Mr G Sooklall, Department of Hindi Studies |
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Translation Studies Indian Diaspora Studies |
Dr (Mrs) T Beeharry-Pudaruth, Department of Hindi Studies |
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Gender Issues Hindi Literature: Fiction and Modern Poetry Hindi Second Language Teaching |
Dr (Mrs) A Dunputh, Department of Hindi Studies |
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Marathi Language and Literature Mauritian Marathi Literature, Mauritian folk literature, and Culture |
Dr (Mrs) M Koonjul, Department of Marathi Studies |
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Culture and Society in Ancient Tamil Literature |
Mrs S Manikkam, Department of Tamil Studies |
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Tamil Language and Culture in Mauritius |
Dr (Mrs) U Allaghery, Department of Tamil Studies |
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Tamil Studies Tamil Cultural Identity |
Dr (Mrs) K Mooneegadoo, Department of Tamil Studies |
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Language and Grammar Linguistics Comparative Study of Languages |
Mr S Narayanapillai, Department of Tamil Studies |
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Teaching/Learning of language and literature Indian Diaspora Studies Quality Assurance matters in Higher Education Applied Linguistics (sociolinguistics and ethnolinguistics) Tamil language, literature, culture and folklore |
Assoc Prof Dr J Chemen, Head, Centre for Quality Assurance |
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Telugu Language - Language Interference and Code-switching Teaching of Telugu as second Language in Mauritius Telugu Folklore - Indian and Mauritian contexts Telugu language and ICT Slam/Free verse writing in Telugu |
Dr (Mrs) R. Dalliah, Department of Telugu Studies |
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A critical enquiry between poetry and human existence with reference to Madhabhushi Sampath Kumar's poems" |
Dr (Mrs) Pravashi Chinniah, Department of Telugu Studies |
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The Literary and Linguistic Development of Urdu In Mauritius |
Dr A Allymamod, Department of Urdu Studies |
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Patriarchy in Urdu Novels |
Mrs S. Rasmally, Department of Urdu Studies |
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Sexuality in Urdu Short Stories |
Mrs. Z. Joomun, Department of Urdu Studies |
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Urdu Fiction with particular reference to Q. Haider Urdu Language Pedagogy Comparative literature |
Dr (Mrs) N. Jaffoo Khan, Department of Urdu Studies |
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Comparative Study of Urdu Textbooks with reference to first and second language situations |
Mrs M Ally Jaun |
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The Short Stories of Premchand |
Mrs R Maraye |
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Socio-Linguistics and Phonology Second Language Teaching & Learning Language, Folklore & Culture Classical Telugu Literature |
Assoc Prof (Dr) R Appadoo, Head, Language Resources Centre |
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Translation studies ICT and Second Language Teaching · Comparative study of Mauritian and Indian Hindi Short Stories Post Independence / Sociolinguistics Folklore & Cultural Studies |
Dr (Ms) S Ancharaz, Language Resources Centre |
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School |
Research Themes / Research Interests |
Academic Staff |
|
School of Indological Studies |
Contemporary Sanskrit Grammar & Literature Indology (Ayurveda, Saivism and Culture) · Environmental Ethics Translation · Comparative Study (Sanskrit and Hindi Literature in medieval period (Poetry and Drama). |
Mr. Kewal Nayeck
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Philosophy of Language · Intercultural Philosophy · Western Philosophy · Contemporary Hinduism · Symbolic Logic |
Assoc. Prof Dr.(Mrs.) V M Hurdoyal-Chekhori |
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Contemporary Sanskrit Grammar |
Mrs. K D Ramjatton |
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Philosophy of Religion. Sāṅkhya-Yoga Philosophy · Vedānta (Advaita) Philosophy Indological Studies (Indian history, arts, religion and culture) · Origins and Development of Philosophical thinking in Mauritius · Ethics Education. |
Dr. R K Dabee |
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Sanskrit Literature in medieval period |
Mr. V Puteea |
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Applied Ethics · Comparative Philosophy · Social & Political Philosophy · Philosophy of Education. |
Mr. R Boodnah | |
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Philosophy of Bhagavata Gita Buddhism Chinese Philosophy Philosophy of Rāmāyana Environmental Ethics and Vedic Spirituality |
Miss Rajshree Beneymadoo | |
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Philosophy of Religion Philosophy of the Vedas Philosophy of Heterodox Schools Vedānta. Philosophy of Education. |
Mrs. Vanisha Beedasy |
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School |
Research Themes / Research Interests |
Academic Staff |
|
School of Performing Arts |
Indian Classical Dance Kathak Dance Creativity within Classical forms of Indian Dance Management and Performing Arts Performing Arts and IP Law |
Dr (Mrs) P M Purgus, Department of Dance (Kathak)
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Compositional Work and Choreography in Bharata Natyam with Special Reference to Teermanams. Bharata Natyam: Theory, Performance and Practices. Pedagogy, Curriculum Development, Assessment and Evaluation in Dance (Bharata Natyam). Spiritual Aspects in Nritta and Nritya Components of Bharata Natyam. Aesthetics in Contemporary Bharata Natyam Performances. |
Ms Sachita Dabee, Department of Dance (Bharat Natyam) |
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The Evolution of Teaching of Indian Classical Dance, Bharata Natyam The Technique of Nritya in the Bharata Natyam Repertoire The Comparative Study of Indian Classical Dance Styles The Techniques of Bharata Natyam and How They Differ in Each Bāni |
Mrs Sattyavani Baloonuck Mattabaddul, Department of Dance (Bharat Natyam) |
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Historical Study of Indian Dance Classical Dances of India Evolution of Kuchipudi Dance as an Art Form Study of Expression in Indian Classical Dances The Natya Aspect in Kuchipudi Dance |
Ms Nalini Totiah, Department of Dance (Kuchipudi) |
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Arts/ Performing Arts in Education: Specific to Dance Indian Arts / Performing Arts in Philosophy: Specific to Dance Management in Arts / Performing Arts Arts /Performing Arts and Multiculturality Dance History & Practice-Based Research: Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi & Indian and Mauritian Folk Dances |
Dr Sheilana Devi Ramdoo, Department of Dance (Bharat Natyam) |
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Indian Music and Indian Diaspora Carnatic and Tamil Music Mauritian Cultural Heritage Interculturality and World Music Voice Culture in Carnatic Music |
Assoc. Prof, Dr A S Peruman, OSK Department of Vocal Music |
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Hindustani Vocal Music: Raga-Sangita Voice Culture, Voice Application and Aesthetics Cultural Policy: Cultural & Economic Values, Cultural Industries, Cultural Diplomacy and Cultural Tourism Practice-based Research Audience Development Creative Audience and Digital Performance Curriculum Development and Music Pedagogy |
Dr S K Pudaruth, Assoc. Prof, Department of Vocal Music |
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Compositional work in Hindustani Music Raga Development in Different Gharanas Voice Culture in Indian Music Aesthetics in Indian Music |
Dr (Mrs) A Seewoogoolam, Department of Vocal Music |
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Compositional Work: Fusion Music: Western and Indian Comparative Study of Cultural Artifacts Technical Ornaments and Embellishments in Gharanas of Vocal Music. |
Dr (Mrs) P M Hungsraz, Department of Vocal Music |
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Hindustani Raag -s: Structure and Development Comparative Study of Indian and Western Scale Aesthetics in Compositional Work Music Pedagogy and Curriculum |
Mr S S Mungroo, Department of Vocal Music |
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Hindustani Music: Raag Sangita and the Tala System The Development and Evolution of Musical Instruments and Instrumental Music Manufacture and Repair of Musical Instruments in the Chordophone Group. Aesthetics of Music: Indian and Western Fusion Music |
Dr D Ramkalawon, Head, School of Performing Arts |
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History of Music in Mauritius The Impact of Indian Classical Music in Mauritius The Development of Violin in Mauritius with Special Reference to Indian Music. Instrumental Music Pedagogy with Reference to Violin |
Dr R K Deerpaul, Department of Stringed Instruments |
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South Indian Rhythmology Evolution of Music in Mauritius. Qualitative Research and Constructivist Grounded Theory |
Mr P Goorimoorthee, Department of Percussion Instruments |
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The Art of Tabla Rhythm: Performance and Musicology; Aesthetics of Indian Rhythm and Ethnomusicology (Percussive Folk Instruments of Mauritius). Sociology of Music; Comparative Study of Gharanas of Tabla: Evolution, Styles, Techniques, Traditional Compositions, and Exponents. Music Curriculum and Instructional Materials Design, Music Pedagogy, Assessment and Quality Assurance in Music Teaching and Learning. Comparative Study of Music Education Systems. |
Mr K Mantadin, Department of Curriculum Development |
