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LAHORE, Nov 08 (APP): The 14th THAAP International Conference 2025, organized by the Trust for History, Art and Architecture of Pakistan (THAAP) in collaboration with Punjabi Khoj Garh and the Lyallpur Young Historians Club (LYHC), concluded today at the THAAP Secretariat after two days of vibrant discussions on the theme “Jogi Uttar Paharon Aya: The Jogi in History, Culture, and Folklore of Sapta Sindhu (The Indus Valley)”.
The conference brought together eminent scholars, historians, architects, writers, artists, and researchers from across Pakistan and abroad to explore the spiritual, cultural, and intellectual heritage of the Jogi tradition in South Asia.
The event opened with an address by Prof. Dr. M. Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the University of South Punjab, who lauded THAAP’s efforts in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and reconnecting academic inquiry with indigenous knowledge systems. “Wisdom often lies in the margins—in the spaces between art, faith, and human experience,” he remarked.
Prof. Sajida Haider Vandal, Chief Executive of THAAP, welcomed participants by reflecting on the organization’s 14-year journey of preserving and reinterpreting South Asia’s diverse heritage. The keynote address by Punjabi writer and researcher Nain Sukh captivated audiences as he examined the Jogi’s symbolism in literature, linking it to themes of existential freedom, cultural resilience, and social critique.
Across multiple sessions, participants presented papers on topics such as asceticism in world religions, the connection between Jogi traditions and the Indus Valley Civilization, and their influence on Bhakti movements, folklore, and regional art forms. Notable speakers included Dr. Imdad Hussain, Muhammad Abdullah, Dr. Munazza Rashid, and Irfan Fazil Wallarah, who offered multidisciplinary insights spanning philosophy, cinema, archaeology, and architecture.
On the second day, discussions turned to modern reinterpretations of heritage. Syed Atef Amjad Ali’s paper, “Reimagining Cultural Heritage Education and Preservation through Extended Reality (XR) and Generative AI: A Case Study of the Indus Valley Civilization in Pakistan,” examined how technology can preserve and reimagine ancient heritage for contemporary audiences.
Another highlight was the session “Mystics and Mavericks: The Jogi’s Role as Rebels against Socio-Political Hierarchies and Linguistic Expressions in Punjab,” which explored how the Jogi tradition continues to represent resistance, spirituality, and inclusivity in modern contexts.
Other thought-provoking presentations included “Woven Spirituality: Tracing Yogic Practices in Harappan Textiles,” “Identities of Baba Guru Nanak and Jogis,” and “The Role of Kara from Pashupati Seal to Shrine Culture in South Asia.”
The two-day event concluded with a roundtable discussion moderated by Prof. Sajida Haider Vandal and closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Rauf-i-Azam, Vice Chancellor of Government College University Faisalabad. The conference ended with a certificate distribution ceremony and a closing dinner.
Participants collectively emphasized that initiatives like THAAP play a crucial role in reconnecting modern audiences with South Asia’s pluralistic past—fostering dialogue, encouraging research, and preserving the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.