Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication (SCMC) kicked off the third edition of its flagship media conference, Pramana 2025, on February 2-3, 2025. This highly anticipated event has drawn professionals, thought leaders, and innovators from around the globe to explore the prospect of media research. The theme for this year is "Digital Democracies: Intersections of Influence, Consumption, Culture, and Identity in South Asia." The theme delves into how digital technology shapes South Asia’s political, cultural, and social landscapes.
The event began with a welcome speech by Dr. Sreeram Gopalkrishnan, Director of SCMC, followed by a special address by Dr. Rajinder Dudrah (Professor of Cultural Studies and Creative Industries, Birmingham City University, UK), followed by a keynote speech by Dr. Xenia Zeiler (Professor of South Asian Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland). Dr. Sreeram Gopalkrishnan, Director of SCMC, welcomed the speakers, emphasizing Pramana’s role in fostering media research and discussions on the digital revolution.
The first day featured panel discussions and special sessions on topics such as social media influence, micro-celebrities, political identities, and digital spaces. Presentations addressed issues like press freedom, the rise of child influencers, and the homogenization of wedding aesthetics, reflecting both the opportunities and challenges of digital media.
The day began with an enlightening panel discussion titled “Intersections of Technology and Equity: Redefining Digital Ecosystems.” The panel featured Dr. Maya Dodd (Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Languages at Flame University); Dr. Avishek Ray (Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Science at NIT Silchar); and Dr. Padmini Ray (Founder of Design Beku). The session, chaired by Dr. Rajinder Dudrah, (Professor of Culture Studies and Creative Industries at Birmingham City University, UK), explored the intersections of artificial intelligence, digital archives, urban mobility, and design justice.
The conference hosted a series of specialized paper presentations following the panel discussion. One of the standout sessions was the panel on "Glimpses into the Future of Cinema in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Technologies, and Philosophies." Panelists from diverse media organizations and academic institutions debated on AI infiltrating Cinema as language and posing threats to labour, creativity, and skills. The conversation centered around striking a balance with AI to reach productivity and maintain creative integrity, sparking vibrant discussion among the audience.
Interactive Presentation sessions remained the highlight of the event, allowing attendees to present their work and give and receive insights to further enhance their work.
Pramana is not just a conference to present Media Research; it is a collaborative effort aiming for the collective good. Throughout the event, the attendees networked, exchanged ideas, discussed potential projects, and much more, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that underscored the event's emphasis on sharing knowledge.
As our esteemed Guest of Honour, Dr. Rajinder Dudrah, noted, "Pramana has given us the opportunity to bring together minds from different backgrounds to solve complex media challenges and interact with the new and younger generation. We’re excited to continue this momentum in the days to come."
The last day was wrapped up with felicitation of all the participants and attendees through a valedictory ceremony.