A public lecture on “Colonial ideologies of race and their application in British Malaya” will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 6 May 2012. Dr Carl Vadivella Belle, a former diplomat and currently an independent scholar, will deliver the lecture, examining the roots of ethnic polarisation in Malaysia.

British theories of “race” were developed in colonial India, especially in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858. Dr Belle will examine how they were subsequently used as political and economic strategies to construct three discrete racial groupings in Malaya, each with its own supposedly inherent racial characteristics, together with ascribed roles and economic functions.

Dr Belle has lectured widely on religion and history, and has written extensively on religion, history, and on international affairs. He has recently completed a book on the history of Indians in Malaysia.

The lecture is organised by  Semparuthi.com. Admission is free.

Date:   6 May 2012 (Sunday)
 
Time: 10am to 12pm
 
Venue: Tan Sri Soma Hall   Wisma Tun Sambanthan
   Jalan Sultan Sulaiman
   Kuala Lumpur
 
Contact person: Elan  012 3143910