The Department of Visual Communication, School of Media Studies, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram, organized “The TALKIES – National Conference 2026” on the theme “Media and Public Discourse: Power, Politics and the People” on 28th March 2026 from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM. The conference witnessed the participation of 150 students, scholars, and academicians from across the country, providing a dynamic platform for academic interaction and research exchange.
The conference featured distinguished speakers including Dr. G. Balasubramania Raja, who delivered the keynote address and chaired Session 1, sharing valuable insights into media and public discourse; Dr. Gnana D. Hans, an academician specializing in new media and mediation, who contributed to the online session; and Dr. Velayudham, an experienced media professional and Research Coordinator at Anna University, who chaired one of the sessions. The sessions focused on critical discussions related to media, power, politics, and the role of the public sphere in contemporary communication.
The conference was presided over by Dr. S. Thirumagan, and the felicitation address was delivered by Dr. N. Pugazendi, who emphasized the importance of academic collaboration and research. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. V. Prabakaran (Head, Media Studies), whose guidance was instrumental in organizing the event. The conference was conducted in a hybrid format, comprising offline and online sessions, followed by a valedictory session. It also featured research paper presentations and facilitated meaningful academic dialogue among participants. Additionally, a collaboration with the Skodhkosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts was announced for the publication of selected research papers.
The programme was convened by Dr. V. Prabakaran (Head, Media Studies) and coordinated by Dr. Shanmuganathan, Mrs. Padmavathy, and Mr. Veeralakshmana, with the support of student volunteers, ensuring the successful execution of the conference.
Overall, the conference served as an enriching platform for knowledge sharing, research dissemination, and scholarly engagement, strengthening academic perspectives in media studies.
