The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), Karachi, hosted its Kazim Bacchus Research Seminar, welcoming Dr Anum Tariq Dada, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). Dr Anum presented an engaging talk titled “Reading the Classics: Blurring Fact and Fiction," delving into the intricate world of classical and medieval literature and examining its complex blend of historical and fictional elements.
Drawing a mixed online and in-person audience, D. Anum's presentation explored the challenges of interpreting premodern texts—particularly those from classical Arabic and Persian sources such as Ibn Munqibḥ's Biography, Qazwīnī's Kitāb ʻAjāʼib, al-Nadīm's Kitâb al-Fihrist, and the Šāh-nāma, alongside selected European translations of the period. These works, rich in supernatural themes, cultural symbolism, and exaggeration, invite readers to navigate the blurred lines between historical record and narrative artistry. Dr Anum highlighted how this fusion of fact and fiction offers unique cultural insights, inviting readers to critically evaluate the reliability of historical texts while appreciating their narrative depth.
The session provided a nuanced perspective on the medieval approach to history and narrative, contrasting it with modern perceptions of factual accuracy. Dr Anum underscored the importance of viewing these texts as cultural records, which, although not always strictly historical, reflect the intellectual landscape and societal values of their time.
Following her talk, a vibrant Q&A session allowed participants to engage with Dr. Anum on her methodologies for interpreting these texts. She enriched the discussion with personal anecdotes and shared images of original Persian and Arabic manuscripts, which offered the audience a visual connection to the historical settings of these literary classics.
AKU-IED's Kazim Bacchus Research Seminar continues to inspire critical reflection on diverse intellectual traditions, providing a platform for exploring the historical, cultural, and literary significance of global classics.
The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), Karachi, hosted its Kazim Bacchus Research Seminar, welcoming Dr Anum Tariq Dada, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). Dr Anum presented an engaging talk titled “Reading the Classics: Blurring Fact and Fiction," delving into the intricate world of classical and medieval literature and examining its complex blend of historical and fictional elements.
Drawing a mixed online and in-person audience, D. Anum's presentation explored the challenges of interpreting premodern texts—particularly those from classical Arabic and Persian sources such as Ibn Munqibḥ's Biography, Qazwīnī's Kitāb ʻAjāʼib, al-Nadīm's Kitâb al-Fihrist, and the Šāh-nāma, alongside selected European translations of the period. These works, rich in supernatural themes, cultural symbolism, and exaggeration, invite readers to navigate the blurred lines between historical record and narrative artistry. Dr Anum highlighted how this fusion of fact and fiction offers unique cultural insights, inviting readers to critically evaluate the reliability of historical texts while appreciating their narrative depth.
The session provided a nuanced perspective on the medieval approach to history and narrative, contrasting it with modern perceptions of factual accuracy. Dr Anum underscored the importance of viewing these texts as cultural records, which, although not always strictly historical, reflect the intellectual landscape and societal values of their time.
Following her talk, a vibrant Q&A session allowed participants to engage with Dr. Anum on her methodologies for interpreting these texts. She enriched the discussion with personal anecdotes and shared images of original Persian and Arabic manuscripts, which offered the audience a visual connection to the historical settings of these literary classics.
AKU-IED's Kazim Bacchus Research Seminar continues to inspire critical reflection on diverse intellectual traditions, providing a platform for exploring the historical, cultural, and literary significance of global classics.
