-Chandigarh, November 16: The Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) is all set to present a power-packed line-up of authors and literary activities at the much-awaited 12th Edition of Chandigarh Lit Fest (CLF) – Literati 2024 from 22nd November to 24th November at the Chandigarh Lake Club.
The CLF will commence with a soulful musical evening, Aaghaaz – Shaam-E-Ghazal, featuring the renowned artist Kanwar Jagmohan. The event will be held on November 22 at Rani Laxmi Bai Bhawan, Sector 38, Chandigarh. Thereafter, 23rd and 24th November the literary sessions will take place at Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh.
Dr. Sumita Misra, IAS, Festival Director of CLF Literati 2024 and Chairperson of CLS, shared the details of the literary extravaganza during a press conference held at the Press Club here. Dr. Misra said, “Themed on ‘Celebrating Creativity,’ the 3-day literary festival promises an exciting mix of thought-provoking discussions, book launches, engaging sessions, and book readings featuring some of the most renowned names in literature, art, and culture.”
She said that on Nov 23, the festival will begin on a melodious note with a musical performance, “Chords from the Heart” by Pt. Subhash Ghosh. The Keynote address will be delivered by Madhav Kaushik, President of the Rashtriya Sahitya Akademi.
Dr. Sumita Misra said, “On Day 1, one of the key highlights will be the launch of ‘Ratan Tata: A Life,’ a compelling new biography by Dr. Thomas Mathew, a retired bureaucrat. This book offers a unique glimpse into the life of Ratan Tata, unveiling lesser-known aspects of his journey. The launch will be marked by an interactive session ‘The Legend Lives on–A Man Called Ratan Tata’ with the author Dr. Mathew.”
In a poignant session titled “Punjab: The Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy and the Narratives Around It,” speakers Kishwar Desai an award-winning author, playwright & historian and Navtej Sarna, former Ambassador of USA, whose ‘Crimson Spring’ won the KLF Award for Best Fiction Book of 2022, will explore the profound impact of one of the most tragic events in Indian history.
In “Punjab di Zubaan: Young Poets Discuss Punjabi Poetry in Current Times,” young poets Randhir Uppal, Wahid Khadial, and Jassi Sangha will delve into the evolving landscape of Punjabi poetry.
Another important session, “Legal Landmarks: Charting the Path of Justice,” will feature Pinky Anand a renowned lawyer & politician who has served as an Additional Solicitor General at the Supreme Court of India and lawyer Saudamini Sharma, who will discuss key legal milestones in India’s history.
The festival will also celebrate stories of bravery and courage in “Voices of Valour: Stories of Bravehearts,” with Generals Ian Cardozo the first officer of the Indian Army to be awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry, and Syed Ata Hasnain. Gen Hasnain a highly decorated Indian Army officer is one of the foremost writers and analysts on J&K, Pakistan & Middle East.
“Ink and Imagination: Crafting Poetic Worlds,” will see IAS officer Dr. Sumita Misra a prominent poet of contemporary India & the recipient of multiple Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi Awards, in conversation with writer Aradhika Sharma on the art of crafting poetry.
Another important session “Daddy in the Driver’s Seat: A Single Father’s Experiences” will feature Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor who has ventured into writing with his debut book Bachelor Dad: My Journey, a memoir that explores his experiences as a single father of his son, Laksshya, born through surrogacy in 2016.
“All sessions during the event have been crafted with due diligence to bring out the best from all the speakers,” said Dr. Misra.
Day 2 of the festival will begin with a session, ‘In Memoriam: A Tribute to Dr. Surjit Patar,’ by Poet Amy Singh and Jassi Sangha – a well-known Punjabi writer, Assistant Director, and film researcher. A session on “History as Storytelling: Reviving the Lost Chapters,” led by author Ira Mukhoty – a best- selling writer of narrative history and author of ‘Akbar: The Great Mughal,’ will be held.
A fascinating discussion on “Beauty in Diversity: Love, Language, and Poetry” featuring Rakshanda Jalil a multi-award-winning translator, writer, and literary historian and Vijai Vardhan a senior bureaucrat whose most recent book ‘Happening Haryana’ captures the history of Haryana from the Harappan age to the present, will also be held.
In another session, “Sahitya Samvad: Katha aur Kalpana,” authors Dr. Madhav Kaushik an Eminent Hindi poet and author, who is also President, National Sahitya Akademi and Jitendra Srivastava, a renowned poet and critic with 30 books to his credit will discuss the interplay of storytelling and imagination in Indian literature.
Another pertinent session ‘AI and Creativity: Friend or Foe?’ will see Khushwant Singh a highly distinguished and celebrated author who is also a former State Information Commissioner, Punjab and Affan Yesvi a Sufi scholar, columnist, and entrepreneur in conversation with Renu Sinha, where they will deliberate on AI’s leap into the Creative Cosmos.
In another thought – provoking session on stage arts “The Power of Narrative Theater and Beyond” theatre doyens MK Raina – known for his contributions as an actor, theatre director, filmmaker, scriptwriter, academic and author and Padma Shri Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, a widely known theatre artist and director will discuss the transformative power of theatre as a medium of storytelling.
