Lit fest gets bigger with Nayantara Sahgal

CHANDIGARH: It is time yet again to get together and criticize as "good literature needs criticism" . Packed with renowned writers, critics, and directors including Nayantara Sahgal, along with other senior journalists, the fourth edition of Chandigarh Literature Festival (CLF) is expected to fulfill the yearning of literature lovers in the region.
Sahgal, niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, was recently in news for returning her Sahitya Akademi Award in protest against the lynching of a man in Dadri over rumours of beef consumption.She had also written an open letter to Prime Minister titled "Unmaking of India".
Nayantara served as an advisor to Sahitya Akademi's board for English from 1972 to 1975. She was a member of Verghese Committee for Autonomy to Radio and TV in 1977-78.
During the festival, she will be seen in conversation with critic Kiran Nagarkar on the inaugural day, on November 5. The inaugural session will also see discussions on the journey and changing landscape of literary criticism over the past two decades.
Nayantara has also received the Sinclair Prize (Britain) for fiction in 1985, Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986, and Commonwealth Writers Award (Eurasia) in 1987. She was also a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington, from 1981 to 1982.
Being organized by Adab foundation in collaboration with Panjab University, the four-day festival will celebrate 20 books and four films. In a unique format, 14 of India's leading critics nominated books will be dissected, analyzed and read out at the festival. "CLF 2015 is primarily made up of sessions where a critic is in conversation with an author about a specific book, nominated beforehand by the critic," said Mitul Dikshit, chairman of CLF.
Four film sessions featuring directors, screenwriters and some very fine critics will be organized. "All these films will be screened and then discussed by critics," said Akshay Kumar, professor of English, Panjab University.
On the second day, a writing workshop will also be organized. "For this, a writing competition was organized at Panjab University earlier. Selected students will be part of the workshop," Akshay said.
"Each session is expected to be unpredictable, riveting, informal and intimate. The critics and authors participating in the festival will contribute a piece of original writing in a genre of their choice. These contributions will be compiled in an anthology dedicated to the city of Chandigarh," Mitul said.
Save the dates
Chandigarh Literature Festival
Date: November 5-8
Venue: Chandigarh Club
Time: 10.30am to 7.00pm
HIGHLIGHTS
Nayantara Sahgal to be seen in conversation with critic Kiran Nagarkar on the inaugural day. At the first sesson, discussions will be based on the journey and changing landscape of literary criticism over the past two decades
Four-day festival will celebrate 20 books and four films. In all, 14 of India's leading critics nominated books will be dissected, analyzed and read out at festival
On second day, a writing workshop will also be organized. For this, a writing competition was organized at Panjab University earlier. Selected students will be part of the workshop