Panel Discussion
It’s Time to Dig Out Antique ISL
Deepak K C, Surbhi Taneja and Manju SK
Language is alive—it breathes, grows, and transforms with each generation. Indian Sign Language (ISL) is no different. But how has the ISL we know today changed from its traditional roots? What stories do these transformations tell?
Join us for a captivating panel discussion featuring three Deaf experts from across India as they unveil the fascinating journey of ISL through time. Discover how traditional sign language has evolved, what forces shaped these changes, and why understanding this evolution matters more than ever.
From historical roots to modern expressions, this conversation will reveal the cultural significance and rich heritage embedded in every gesture, while exploring how we can honor ISL’s legacy in our rapidly changing world.
Bookings
Deepak K C
Deepak K C works with Hear A Million and EnAble India to promote ISL Creative Studio, preserving Indian Sign Language within the Deaf community. Through talk shows and programs, he creates spaces for engagement, creativity, and inclusion.
Surbhi Taneja
Surbhi Taneja is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), a certified Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreter with over 15 years of experience. Surbhi is also the co-founder of Coda India, an initiative dedicated to creating safe spaces for CODAs and raising awareness about their unique experiences and relationships with their Deaf parents. She is working as the Lead Curriculum Developer and trainer for the ISL Interpreter’s fellowship Program under Hear A Million, Enable India.
In addition to her work in the interpreting field, she is a professional makeup artist in the wedding industry. Passionate about lifelong learning, Surbhi enjoys reading, traveling, and writing in her free time. Her work and personal pursuits are driven by a commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and fostering understanding across communities.
Manju SK is an experienced Indian Sign Language (ISL) educator, accessibility advocate, and community leader dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion for the Deaf community. She is currently an ISL Professor at Azim Premji University and an ISL Teacher and Trainer at SignAble Communications Pvt. Ltd., where she designs and delivers training programs for multinational companies such as Wells Fargo and Deloitte , fostering inclusive practices through both online and offline sessions.
She is the Founder of Amazing ISL, an initiative that develops creative ISL videos to support linguistic learning and spread awareness, making sign language more accessible to wider audiences.
Her past experience includes serving as a Soapstone Fellow with Hear A Million and EnAble India , where she created ISL courses, produced educational videos, and mentored participants at the Deaf Leadership Program Youth Camp. She is also a *core team member of DeafWomenToo, advocating for accessibility, gender equality, and Deaf rights.
