Chandigarh
21 November 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Tricity’s most anticipated literary extravaganza, the Chandigarh Lit Fest (CLF) – Literati 2024′, being organised by Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) is set to unfold this weekend. On November 23 and 24, the Sukhna Lake Club will be abuzz with literary activities at CLF Literati 2024.
Dr Sumita Misra, Festival Director and Chairperson, CLS said, “This is our 12th Edition and all arrangements have been made for the successful conduct of the festival. ‘CLF Literati’ aims to bring together writers, thinkers, literature enthusiasts, readers, connoisseurs as well as art and music lovers for an enriching, immersive experience. The festival is open to all and entry is free.”
“With the theme of ‘Celebrating Creativity’ it will be a platform to create, connect, converse,” added Dr Misra.
A soulful musical evening, Aaghaaz – Shaam-E-Ghazal, featuring the renowned artist Kanwar Jagmohan at Rani Laxmi Bai Bhawan, Sector 38, Chandigarh will set the tone for the Lit Fest and the literary sessions will take place on Nov 23-24 at the Sukhna Lake Club. Twenty-eight (28) eminent writers and speakers from across the country will make up the stellar line-up at ‘CLF Literati 2024’.
Acclaimed authors and speakers who are slated to grace the festival include former diplomat Navtej Sarna; award-winning author, playwright, and historian Kishwar Desai; Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner M.K. Raina; multi-award-winning translator Rakshanda Jalil; best-selling writer of narrative history Ira Mukhoty; Aajeevan Sahitya Sadhna Samman recipient Madhav Kaushik; Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry; Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar recipient Randhir Uppal; Bharat Bhushan Aggarwal Puraskar winner Jitendra Srivastav; Asian Academy and Filmfare Award winner Karan Oberoi & more.
On Day 1 Chandigarh will be put on the national literary map with the India launch of industrialist Ratan Tata’s biography ‘Ratan Tata: A Life’. An interactive session, ‘The Legend Lives On – A Man Called Ratan Tata’, that will feature author of the book Dr. Thomas Mathew, a retired bureaucrat, is also on the cards. The session ‘Punjab: The Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy and the Narratives Around It’, with acclaimed author Kishwar Desai and Navtej Sarna, former Ambassador to the USA is another attraction.
A session on poetry is ‘Ink and Imagination: Crafting Poetic Worlds’, which will feature IAS officer and prominent poet Dr. Sumita Misra promises to be captivating. Actor Tusshar Kapoor will reveal his literary side and discuss his debut book ‘Bachelor Dad: My Journey’.
Highlights of Day 2 include a session ‘In Memoriam: A Tribute to Dr. Surjit Patar’; ‘Beauty in Diversity: Love, Language, and Poetry’ will feature writer and literary historian Rakshanda Jalil and Vijai Vardhan, a senior bureaucrat. Session ‘AI and Creativity: Friend or Foe?’ will see participation of author Khushwant Singh and Affan Yesvi a Sufi scholar & columnist; ‘The Power of Narrative Theater and Beyond’ will witness a discussion between theatre doyens MK Raina and Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry; ‘Echoes of 1984: Narratives of Loss, Survival & Identity’ will feature ex-IPS officer and award-winning poet Manmohan Singh and human rights activist and author Sanam Sutirath Wazir.
The festival will also witness the launch of six books.
“CLF Literati over the years has made Chandigarh an important centre for literary activities. This year’s fest am sure will further popularise Chandigarh as a destination for tourists, book lovers, and art connoisseurs alike,” concluded Dr Sumita Misra.
