The Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad (UoH), organised a felicitation ceremony on 23 January 2026 to honour Prof. Vinod Pavarala, Senior Professor of Communication at UoH, on the occasion of his retirement. Convened to reflect on Prof. Pavarala’s over three-decade-long association with the university, the event focused on his work as a teacher, scholar, mentor, and institution builder. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, students, university staff, collaborators, and community media practitioners from across India and abroad.

Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Sathya Prakash, Head of the Department of Communication, spoke about Prof. Pavarala’s role as his teacher and academic colleague. “He was one of my favourite teachers. He always came prepared, and the theoretical rigour he brought helped balance practice with theory in the department,” he said. Prof. Sathya also noted Prof. Pavarala’s role in strengthening the department’s Master’s and PhD programmes. A short film documenting Prof. Pavarala’s academic journey was screened during the event. This was followed by a video message from his daughter, Saranya, who thanked the department for being a supportive space for her father.

Prof. Pavarala’s colleagues highlighted his role in building the Department of Communication from its early years into one of the leading centres for media studies and practice in India. Emphasising his contribution to academic planning and infrastructure development, senior colleague Prof. Thirumal remarked, “The red building exists because of him. He worked with the university, the architects, and the contractors to ensure the department had what it needed. He has been a mentor not just to me, but to many colleagues in the department and the Sarojini Naidu School.” Prof. Vasuki Belavadi spoke about learning departmental responsibility from Prof. Pavarala, noting, “He taught me how to step in, how to grow academically, and how to contribute meaningfully.” Anjali Lal Gupta described him as someone who shared his experiences openly while also listening carefully. “He listened to everyone,” she said, adding that he remained deeply engaged with news and current affairs.

Colleagues from other departments at the UoH also shared their reflections. Prof. Anuradha J. from the Department of Dance said, “How he led the school was very interesting for me. He served as the Dean of the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication for two consecutive terms; during his tenure, the school’s growth was marvellous.” Prof. Aruna Bhikshu, also from the Department of Dance, spoke about Prof. Pavarala’s role in nurturing a strong academic environment and remarked, “He tried to understand the issues in each department at the school and provided us with a lot of support.” Faculty members from the Fine Arts disciplines felicitated Prof. Pavarala for his active support and engagement and presented him with an original painting by one of the faculty members as a gesture of appreciation.

Doctoral research scholars whom Prof. Pavarala guided and worked with spoke about his influence beyond formal supervision, while several alumni recalled his classroom teaching. Meghna Halder, an M.A. alumna who joined online from Canada, said, “Vinod sir, in his quiet way, taught us how to think – so that no matter what we did, we would continue to question, challenge, and ‘subvert’ dominant paradigms.” Recalling the depth of his lectures, other former students added, “He helped us build our own perspectives instead of borrowing someone else’s.” Mathew Kuruvilla, another M.A. alumnus, noted that Prof. Pavarala exemplified leadership by balancing teaching, administration, and research with ease. Several senior academics also reflected on Prof. Pavarala’s academic journey. The Registrar, UoH, Devesh Nigam, noted that Prof. Pavarala’s interactions with the administration were consultative and thoughtful.

The SPARC seminar, “Marginalised Voices, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Community Media: A Multidisciplinary Approach,” which preceded the felicitation ceremony, also honoured Prof. Pavarala’s academic contributions and included an online and digital felicitation session on 22 January 2026. Video messages from former teachers, students, and collaborators from different countries were curated and screened.

Former teachers of Prof. Pavarala, including Prof. Daniel Regan (his PhD supervisor), Prof. Robert M. Hayden, Prof. John Markoff, Prof. Mohan Raj, and Prof. Usha Vyasulu Reddy, shared reflections on his academic journey. Prof. Ratna Naidu, his Sociology professor at UoH, remarked that Prof. Pavarala had “an independent mind and an even temperament,” qualities that, she noted, continued throughout his academic life.

Messages from the university administration highlighted Prof. Pavarala’s engagement beyond the department. Ashish Jacob Thomas, PRO, UoH, remarked, “When he was the spokesperson of the university, I closely interacted with him and learnt how important it is to build thoughtful media relations and communication.” A former Vice Chancellor of UoH, Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, also sent a message recalling Prof. Pavarala’s leadership at the university. Collaborators, including journalists and community radio practitioners, sent digital tributes recounting his work. In a pre-recorded video message, Ashita Singh from UNESCO, New Delhi, expressed her appreciation for Prof. Pavarala’s sustained efforts in strengthening the work of the UNESCO Chair on Community Media in India and across borders.

Responding to the tributes, Prof. Pavarala said, “I am deeply touched to hear so many people say such kind things about me. Whatever I have done has always been collective and collaborative work.” He spoke about his teachers and expressed his surprise and joy at seeing them featured in the videos. Reflecting on his years at the university, he said, “This department and this university have shaped me as much as I may have shaped them.” His remarks were followed by a message from his wife, Prof. Aparna Rayaprol, a distinguished sociologist, who thanked the gathering for their affection and for acknowledging the academic life and work of Prof. Pavarala.

The felicitation ceremony concluded with a formal honouring of Prof. Pavarala by departmental faculty, faculty from across the university, alumni, PhD and M.A. students, non-teaching staff, and members of the university administration – marking the close of his formal service at the University of Hyderabad and the continuation of his academic legacy.

Mahi Sharma & Treesa Reena John
Department of Communication