Knowledge gives humility, from humility comes worthiness, from worthiness one attains wealth, from wealth one performs good deeds, and from that comes happiness.
Poorvam International Journal of Creative Arts and Cultural Expressions (PIJCACE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published biannually by Dhvani Publication. We welcome original scholarly contributions that advance understanding of creative arts, cultural expressions, and humanities, with particular emphasis on South and East Asian perspectives. Please review these guidelines carefully before submitting your manuscript.
PIJCACE publishes original research articles, critical essays, and review articles that engage with diverse themes in creative arts, cultural expressions, and humanities. The journal particularly welcomes contributions that illuminate the cultural, artistic, philosophical, and literary traditions of South and East Asia while fostering critical dialogues that transcend geographical boundaries.
Primary Subject Areas
Arts and Humanities: History (cultural history emphasis), Literature and Literary Theory, Philosophy (including Eastern traditions), Religious Studies, Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Social Sciences: Linguistics and Language, Cultural Studies, Anthropology of Art and Culture
Thematic Focus Areas
1. Aesthetics and Art Philosophy
Classical and contemporary aesthetic theories
Philosophy of art and artistic experience
Semiotics of art and performance
Indian, Eastern, and Indigenous aesthetic traditions
Postcolonial and decolonial aesthetic discourses
2. Art History and Historiography
Global art histories with focus on Eastern perspectives
Histories of theatre, dance, and music traditions
Literary and narrative histories
Evolution of architecture and design
Political and social histories of art
3. Visual and Material Culture
Theories of visual culture
Iconography and symbolism in art
Sacred and ritual art traditions
Cross-cultural artistic exchanges
Fashion, costume, and textile studies
4. Musicology and Sound Studies
Historical and ethnomusicology
Cultural and regional music traditions
Music and ritual practices
Sound studies and sonic environments
Music and identity studies
5. Performance Studies
Theories of performance and performativity
Gesture, movement, and embodiment
Ritual, ceremony, and theatricality
Body politics and identity in performance
Intersections of music, dance, and drama
6. Literary and Narrative Studies
Indian languages and literatures
Theories of narrative and fictionality
Poetics, rhetoric, and literary criticism
Comparative literature studies
Myth, folklore, and oral traditions
7. Media and Digital Studies
Film and television studies
Digital humanities and artistic research
Virtual and augmented reality in art
Computational creativity
Interactive media studies
8. Cultural and Political Perspectives
Art and activism
Public art and community engagement
Art and religion
Gender and queer studies in art
Decolonial art studies
9. Heritage and Museum Studies
Theories of museology and curation
Heritage and cultural practices
Art conservation studies
Cultural memory and archives
Ethical issues in art collection
10. Practice-Based Research
Methodologies in artistic research
Practice-as-research in the arts
Interdisciplinary art studies
Collaborative art practices
Documentation of embodied knowledge
11. Arts and Well-Being
Creative arts for holistic well-being
Psychocultural dimensions of art
Art and sustainability
Cultural interventions in climate change
Art in post-disaster contexts
12. Esoteric Aesthetics
Aesthetics of Tantra, Yoga, and mysticism
Ritual theory and transformation
Eastern esoteric traditions in art
Symbolism in sacred art
Philosophies of liberation and transcendence
Note: The journal welcomes high-quality visual illustrations to accompany scholarly articles. Authors are responsible for securing necessary reproduction rights.
2. Manuscript Types
Research Articles
Original empirical or theoretical studies presenting new findings or perspectives in the field.
Length: 5,000–8,000 words
Critical Essays
Analytical discussions examining artistic or cultural phenomena, movements, or theoretical frameworks.
Length: 3,000–5,000 words
Review Articles
Comprehensive synthesis and evaluation of existing literature on specific topics or debates.
Length: 1,500–3,000 words
Case Studies
In-depth examination of innovative practices, projects, or interventions in arts and cultural sectors.
Length: 3,000–4,000 words
Creative Works
Original poetry, fiction, or creative pieces accompanied by critical commentary situating the work contextually.
Creative work: 1,000–3,000 words + Commentary: 1,000–1,500 words
All manuscripts must present original scholarship not previously published or under consideration elsewhere. Word counts exclude abstract, references, and appendices.
3. Manuscript Preparation
Language and Style
Manuscripts must be written in clear, formal academic English with consistent spelling conventions (UK or US English throughout). All submissions must follow MLA 9th Edition style for citations, references, and formatting.
Complete Citation Style Guide
For comprehensive MLA 9th Edition formatting guidelines adapted for Sanskrit studies and Indological scholarship, including:
IAST transliteration standards and italicization rules
Footnote citation formats for classical texts
Works Cited entries for Upaniṣads, Smṛti texts, and commentaries
Sanskrit quotation formatting and block quotes
Treatment of traditional vs. authorless texts
Quick reference tables and pre-submission checklists
Required: All submissions must use the official PIJCACE Manuscript Template. Submissions not conforming to the template may be returned for revision before entering peer review.
Formatting Specifications
Document Setup
Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
Line spacing: Double-spaced throughout (including block quotes and references)
Paragraphs: First line indent 0.5 inch; no additional spacing between paragraphs
Page numbers: Continuous numbering on all pages
Line numbers: Continuous line numbering for review process
Headings and Text Styling
Main headings: Bold, left-aligned, Title Case
Subheadings: Bold, left-aligned, Sentence case
Italics for titles of full works and non-English terms
Quotation marks for shorter works (articles, chapters, poems)
Footnotes: Use sparingly, only for explanatory content
Title Page (Separate Document)
Required: All submissions must use the official PIJCACE Title Page Template and upload it as a separate document during the submission process.
The title page must contain:
Full manuscript title
Full names of all authors
Institutional affiliations for each author
ORCID iDs for all authors (required)
Email address of corresponding author
Any acknowledgments or funding information
Important: Do not include author names or identifying information in the main manuscript file to ensure blind peer review. Author biographies (50–60 words each) will be requested upon acceptance.
Abstract and Keywords
Begin the manuscript with:
Abstract: 150–250 words summarizing research context, methodology, primary argument, and key conclusions
Keywords: 4–6 keywords or short phrases separated by semicolons, representing main topics and concepts
Main Text Structure
Organize content using clear, numbered section headings. Typical sections include:
Introduction (research context and objectives)
Literature Review or Theoretical Framework
Methodology (if applicable)
Analysis/Discussion/Findings
Conclusion (implications and future directions)
Acknowledgments (optional)
Works Cited
Appendices (if applicable)
Figures and Tables
Images and Figures:
Submit as separate high-resolution files (minimum 300 dpi)
Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF
Maximum: 8 images per article
Each figure must have a caption and be referenced in text
Indicate placement with: [Insert Figure 1 here]
Tables:
Must be in editable text format (not images)
Include table number and descriptive title above table
Keep formatting simple and clear
Copyright Compliance: Authors are responsible for securing and documenting permission to reproduce any copyrighted images, figures, or extended quotations from other sources.
Citations and References
Follow MLA 9th Edition for all in-text citations and the Works Cited list:
In-text citations: Use parenthetical author-page format
Works Cited: Alphabetize entries by author surname
Use hanging indent (0.5 inch) for each entry
Include all sources cited in the text
Provide DOIs or stable URLs for online sources when available
File Naming Convention
Name your manuscript file as: Poorvam_FirstAuthor_ShortTitle.docx
4. Submission Process
How to Submit
All manuscripts must be submitted through the official online submission portal. Email submissions or submissions through other channels will not be accepted.
Separate high-resolution image files (if applicable)
Completed submission form through the portal
Important: The title page must be uploaded as a separate document in the submission form. Do not include author information in the main manuscript file to ensure blind peer review.
Optional Documents
Cover letter highlighting the significance and contribution of the work
Suggested peer reviewers with contact information and expertise areas
Documentation of image reproduction permissions
Pre-Submission Checklist
Before submitting, ensure:
✓ Manuscript uses the official PIJCACE template
✓ Word count falls within specified limits for manuscript type
✓ Abstract and keywords are included
✓ All citations follow MLA 9th Edition format
✓ Author information is removed from main manuscript (blind review)
✓ All figures are high-resolution and properly referenced
✓ Works Cited is complete and formatted correctly
✓ ORCID iDs are provided for all authors
✓ Manuscript has been proofread for language and clarity
✓ Title page uses the official template and is uploaded separately
✓ Word count falls within specified limits for manuscript type
5. Peer Review Process
Review Method
PIJCACE employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure scholarly quality and objectivity. All submissions are evaluated by at least two independent experts in the relevant field.
Review Timeline
Initial Screening: 1–2 weeks after submission (Editorial Office review for scope and format compliance)
Peer Review: 6–8 weeks (double-blind review by field experts)
Revision Period: 4–6 weeks (if revisions are requested)
Final Decision: Within 12–14 weeks of initial submission
All manuscripts must represent original work. PIJCACE uses advanced plagiarism detection software to screen all submissions. Any form of plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or text recycling will result in immediate rejection.
Authors must ensure:
The work is entirely original and has not been published elsewhere
The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal
All sources are properly cited and credited
Quotations and paraphrasing follow appropriate citation practices
Disclosure Required: Authors must disclose the use of any AI-assisted tools in manuscript preparation. AI-generated content must not replace original scholarly thinking, analysis, or research integrity.
Authors retain copyright of their work while granting PIJCACE the right to first publication. This allows authors to freely use their work for teaching, presentations, and future publications while ensuring proper attribution to PIJCACE as the original publisher.
Open Access License
All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, ensuring free global access and maximum impact for your research.
Waiver requests should be submitted with the manuscript and will be reviewed confidentially. Financial circumstances will not affect editorial decisions.
9. Publication and Indexing
Publication Schedule
PIJCACE publishes two issues per year (biannual publication):
Issue 1: January–June
Issue 2: July–December
Post-Acceptance Process
Copyediting: Professional editing for clarity, consistency, and adherence to journal style
Author Proofs: Authors review and approve formatted manuscript
DOI Assignment: Unique digital object identifier assigned
Publication: Article published online and indexed in academic databases
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Every published article receives a unique DOI (prefix: 10.63752/pijcace), ensuring permanent identification and citability. DOIs facilitate long-term access and citation tracking.
Indexing and Discoverability
PIJCACE is committed to achieving indexing in major academic databases to ensure maximum visibility and impact for published research:
ISSN: 3107-6866 (registered and validated)
Metadata submitted to major academic search engines
Integration with scholarly reference management tools
Author Benefits Upon Publication
Published authors receive:
Digital Certificate: Downloadable PDF certificate available in author dashboard
Permanent URL: Stable link to published article
DOI Registration: Unique identifier for citations
Open Access: Free global access to your work
Author Profile: Public profile page showcasing your publications
Article Metrics and Impact
Authors can track their article's impact through the online platform, including:
Download statistics
Citation tracking
Social media mentions
Geographic distribution of readership
Ready to Submit?
Join our global community of scholars advancing knowledge in creative arts and cultural expressions.