Jaipur . With a power-packed lineup, the last day of the Jaipur Literature Festival was attended by influential speakers from the Indian subcontinent, including award-winning Norwegian author Han Grue and writer and founder of Ink, Meeta Kapoor. The session was based on Grue’s heartwarming memoir, I Live a Life Like Yours, which talks about “being the ‘I’ in the world”. After this, in a session, popular author Pawan K. Verma’s new book, The Great Hindu Civilization, was discussed. In the book, many esoteric aspects of ancient civilization have been raised. The third day of the festival carried this energy forward.
The third day of the world’s largest ‘hybrid’ literary festival began with a ‘meditation’ session by Rajiv Mehrotra, Nobel laureate, author and student of the Dalai Lama. In the session, the audience was told about the relation of mind, body and soul. Mehrotra gives some tips for pranayama, correct body posture and peace of mind. After this heart-warming session in a stressful life, ‘The Aawan Project’ presented the philosophy of love, humanity and humility through music.
Saturday Attractions:
• In a session, author Aniruddha Kanisetti discusses his book, Lords of the Deccan: Southern India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas. He was accompanied in the session by writer and historian Manu S. Pillai| This book is the result of an in-depth study of South India and its implications for contemporary politics and culture. About Anirudh’s book Manu S. Pillai said, “The specialty of this book is that it fills the medieval gap.” Both the writers discussed in depth the Deccan kings and their legacy.
• Speakers in a session on the war included: Pramod Kapoor, Founder and Publisher of Roli Books; Officer-in-Charge of the Naval History Project, Shrikant B. Kesnoor and Sandeep Unnithan, Managing Editor of India Today Magazine. Speakers in the session discussed Kapoor’s book, 1946: Naval Uprising That Shook the Empire. The book describes the silent but important history of India in relation to the British instrument, the Navy.
• Development of modern India is a form of historical, socio-political and psychological study of nationalism. Saket Suman’s book, The Psychology of a Patriot, presents an evocative history of India. In conversation with author and academic Mukulika Banerjee, the panel shared her thoughts on the country’s present and future.
• In another session, historian and author Mark David Baer discusses his book, The Ottomans: Khans, Saffrons and Califs, with historian, author and festival co-director, William Dalrymple. Baer’s book describes the sexuality, origins, genocide and history of the West as an invincible world empire. “Till 30 years ago you couldn’t find Ottoman restaurants and TV series anywhere,” said Baer. He also emphasized that the Ottomans were a very diverse group, including Mongols, Greeks, Christians, Islam and to a lesser extent, radical Islamists.
• In an informative session, historian and renowned author Manu S. Pillai discusses his new book, False Alice: India’s Maharajas in the Age of Ravi Varma, with Member of Parliament and bestselling author, Shashi Tharoor. Both the speakers interacted with the writer and historian Ira Mukhoti on the history of the Maharajas of India. Pillai said that he took up the challenge of writing this book because 40% of the Indian subcontinent, even during the British period, was under the rule of kings. During the discussion, Pillai said that he called the mutual friendship of the Maharajas an illusion, “because in many ways they also supported the empire”. Regarding the book, Shashi Tharoor said: “…it really deserves to be written, read, what role these princely states played in the history of India.”
• Ambassador Navdeep Suri in a session held at the Bank of Baroda Mughal Tent; Diplomatic Representative Patricia A. Lasina; Australian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Barry O’Farrell; Vijay Gokhale, former Indian diplomat and 32nd Foreign Secretary of India; and the Deputy British High Commissioner in India, Yan Thompson. The panel discussed the Indo-Pacific, QUAD and explained why like-minded countries should stick together.
• Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, in a session titled ‘Telling it like it is’ at the literary festival; Diplomat and author Pawan K. Media and publishing veteran Sudha Sadanand interacted with Verma. The session was based on the strength of dissent. Verma said, “…the biggest threat to democracy is that one individual or community begins to believe that the truth is theirs alone. It puts an end to dialogue and the room for civilized differences is the most important thing in a democracy. During the discussion, Moitra emphasized that the scope of dissent is shrinking, and is not good for any society.
• Speakers at one of the sessions were: Jyothika Jhalani, Founder and Creative Director, Jhanvi India; fashion designer Manish Malhotra; Principal Designer Mukul Goel; IP Lawyer and Strategist, Safir Anand; IP Counsel Hindustan Unilever Limited, Viji Malkani| The session was moderated by the Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, Sanjoy K. Roy. Safir Anand’s book, Chrysalis was launched in the session. This book is a coffee table book talking about the big players of the corporate. Talking about the festival, Manish Malhotra said, “It is always a pleasure for me to be here, as it has been prepared from the heart by Sanjoy.”
• In another session, Director Arts India, British Council, Jonathan Kennedy; Rashmi Dhanwani, founder of ArtX Company; Teamwork Arts Managing Director Sanjoy K. Arshiya Sethi, Founder of Cree Foundation interacted with Roy. All the experts in the field of arts, culture and development discussed the impact of COVID-19 on India’s creative economy. During the discussion, Roy emphasized the 75 years of Indian independence saying, “…In Britain, for example, the creative industry contributes 11.7% to GDP, with the same contribution being banks, financial industries, gas and resources.” Industries together can give.”
• Poet, cultural theorist and curator, Ranjit Hoskote was awarded the Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Poetry Award 2022 in the 15th edition of the festival. Hoskote’s works have been translated into many languages. This award, given in association with Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Foundation, marks the unique talent of the poet. The eminent jury included: Namita Gokhale, Sanjoy K. Roy, Jayaprakash Sethia, Nirupama Dutt and Siddhartha Sethia.
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