‘Extensive reading key to mature understanding’

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 19

The first edition of the two-day Dehradun Literature Fest 2017 concluded here yesterday. The highlight of the fest was sessions by eminent authors Dr Ashok Chakradhar, actor Piyush Mishra and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi.

The second day commenced with a session by Prachi Johar Joshi, Richa Sambhy and Pallavi Kodan on ‘I am teen, I don’t grow up’. Richa Sambhy, while addressing the session, said, “It is my suggestion for all to read across several genres, be it philosophy, politics, thriller, romance or crime. This will really open up your mind. Don’t judge a book by its review. One should always read the blurb of the book and then decide whether it’s good or bad”.

Joshi said, “Review is not a good indicator. Everyone perceives a book, film, a piece of art, poetry or a writing differently. What will probably be soul moving for me, could be something extremely trite for you”.

Talking about the objective of writing, Prachi said, “If you are writing for yourself, stick to your innate craft. But if you want an audience, you will have to tamper it with the same caliber that your audience possesses. You write for yourself, you write as you write best but when you write for somebody, you write what is good for him. When you write, you should write fearlessly. There should be nothing stopping you.”

An interactive session on ‘Chakradhar Ke Chaman Mein’ was conducted by Ashok Chakradhar. Chakradhar is a Hindi author and poet. He was also the professor in Hindi literature at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi. He specialises in satire and comedy. He also recites his poetry at kavi sammelan-style poetry gatherings.

Chakradhar, who has completed 50 years of his career in poetry, invited audience to start their day with laugh and grins in his session. He emphasised on how difficult it was for a poet to make his poems enriching as well as bringing laughter among the listeners. “Ek ke pass munch thi, ek ke pass punch thi”, he said while presenting his few poems in which he got applauses.

Another session on ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ was taken by authors, Asfiya Rahman, Ruby Gupta and Nitin Jugran Bahuguna. Dr Usha RK, Yugal Joshi and Shatrujeet Nath discussed about the impact of literature on arts. They also discussed about the quest of mythology.

A classical Bharatanatyam performance was presented by Arupa Lahiry. She is a passionate dancer from Kolkata. Author Suchitra Krishnamoorthi unveiled her new book ‘Ghost on the Ledge’ at the literature fest today. A story bazi by Divya Prakash Dubey was also presented in the concluding day of the fest.

A play ‘Majnu Ka Tila’ was presented by Raj Shekhar with Swaroop Bhatra. Majnu Ka Tila is an amalgamation of short stories, poems and riveting live music. The play deals with emotions of nostalgia, modern day crisis, migration and the eternal conflict between the old and the new.

To conclude the fest, actor Piyush Mishra had a talk session with audience on his book ‘Kucch Ishq Kiya Kucch Kaam’. The book is an anthology of poems on love, work and restiveness written over a period of 20 years.