CLS Literati 2015 to host Literary Stars

After successfully hosting two mega literary festivals, the 3rd edition of CLS Literati 2015, opens on 6th November amidst sylvan surroundings of Chandigarh Lake Club with the keynote address by renowned journalist and author, M.J. Akbar.

CLS Literati shall see almost 60 noted authors who would be exploring diverse aspects of contemporary Indian literature in English, Hindi, Panjabi, and Urdu informed Festival Director Sumita Misra, chairperson of Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS), at a press conference here today.

She said that the Sufism is the theme of Literati this year as part of , which is represented in the cultural programmes too.

CLS co-founder Vivek Atray, secretary Madhav Kaushik, author coordinator Suparna-Saraswati Puri, CJ Singh, addressed the media along with Simran Grewal, Harleen, Saguna Jain, Hardeep Chandpuri, Dr Puneet Kapoor, who unveiled the logo and poster of CLS Literati 2015 on the occasion.

Madhav Kaushik added that Literati is celebration of creativity and we want the city to participate and immerse itself in the literary and crative activities completely. The Literati has become the melting pot of literary and creative minds inciting interests amongst the younger generation to read and even try their hands on writing, added Vivek Atray.

In the three days back-to-back sessions with several running concurrently, all genres of writing and variegated facets of art, and how these are reflecting and impacting on our social fabric would form the backdrop of Literati, Sumita Misra informed. Another noted Indian columnist, political reporter and writer, Tavleen Singh would deliver the valedictory address on 8th November at the concluding session of Literati.

Lonely Planet brings a special session for travel enthusiasts on “Wanderlust: The Stuff of Fantasy” with Hugh & Colleen Ganzer and Amrita Chatterjee sharing their travel writings.

Highly acclaimed Indian film director and screen writer Sudhir Mishra would explore the journey of Indian cinema with Gul Panag in the session on “Lights, Camera, Action: Surprises and Serendipity”

Bollywood’s famous lyricists, Kausar Munir and Munna Dhiman would explore the dimensions of lyrics in the session “Phoolon ke Rang Se, Dil Ki Kalam se”.

Amongst others, the best-selling authors Ravi Subramanian and Ravinder Singh would be in talk with Vinita Dawra Nangia, on the second day’s afternoon session with another CLS partners for Literati, Write India.

Gul Panag, behaviorial scientist Chandra Shekhar Verma, editor of First Post Sandip Roy and Vivek Atray would engage on the virtual world in the session on “Virtually Yours”

The books on “Sikhs: The Untold Agony of 1984”  by Nilanjan Mukhopadhya, and “Kashmir: The Loss of Innocence” by Kiran Kohli Narain, shall be other highlights of Literati.

Several celebrated Hindi poets would share dais with Ashok Vajpeyi, Nayantara Sahgal, Tishani Doshi, and Sumita Mishra, while Nighat Gandhi, Dhritabrata B.Tato, Sohaila Kapur, and Neena Wagh would explore “Tasawwuf: Call of the Soul”.

On the second day the writings for children shall take the centre stage with the session “No Child’s Play” with some of the acclaimed writers of children literature Payal Dhar, Himanjali Sankar, Devika Rangachari and Jane DeSouza participating.

The social impact of literature and art would also have three brainstorming sessions.  Readings: Experiments and Experiences shall have Ashoke Mitra, Rishi Vohra, Chander Shekhar Verma while another session on third day would see Renana Jhabvala, Leila Seth and Anupam Srivastava discussing “From Self to Society”, while environmental journalist Bahar Dutt, sufi writer Dhritabrata B. Tato, social political critic Kiran Nagarkar would discuss “Environment and Gender in Danger” in session moderated by journalist and author Nandita Puri.

A major highlight of Literati is Sohaila Kapur premiering her latest play, Sohbat, which she has directed and choreographed, on 7th November evening at the Chandigarh Lake Club itself, while on 6th evening, sufi magic would be unveiled by Gurnazar Chattha, a popular young star, at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

The entry to the festival is free and Chandigarh Literary Society has planned several other activities on the side including slam poetry in which youngsters would be showcasing interactive poetry, on-the-spot painting and writing competitions, sketches and calligraphy, live music by school and college students would provide engaging environment for the visitors.