Shailza is pursuing post graduate studies in Comparative Literature at Jadavpur University. As a M.A.–level SYLFF fellow Shailza feels winning the fellowship has been a wonderful event in her life as it has given her an excellent opportunity to present her work at an international platform.  

Her research deals with wall painting in Bihar, more specifically in Bhojpuri speaking areas in Bihar. The research looks at the political and cultural dynamics that gave Mithila wall painting an edge over other local expressions. It also looks at the nascent effort of other regions (specifically Bhojpuri speaking areas) to popularise their local expressions.  

The aim of her research is two-fold – a) to understand the tradition that determines the nature of wall painting at its base and then how promotion of one expression over other determines its survival. She will be looking at politics of re-presentation and the nature of intellectual interest in the wall painting

b) to analyse the nature of change in tradition itself where a complex ritual art as wall painting is being carried across time. In this context she intends to examine the medium, mode and expression of the art form.  

Shailza has also written articles on her research interests. Her publications include –

Burma (translated by Shailza) in Jatindra Kumar Nayak and Parthasarathi Bhaumik (ed.), ‘Memory, Images, Imagination’ and Identity and its monsters: borders within and without, in Debra Castillo and Kavita Punjabi (ed.) ‘Cartographies of Affect: Across Borders in South Asia and the Americas’ (forthcoming). She has also freelanced for the internet portal of Times of India. 

She likes learning new languages and is currently learning Russian. Shailza also enjoys sketching, painting and writing. She has a diploma in painting. She is a Roteractor and has volunteered as a drawing teacher in projects supported by Roteract. 

E-mail: shailza_kingscabbages@yahoo.co.in