Kovalam fest to focus on Pakistani literature
By IANSMonday, September 20, 2010
NEW DELHI - The spotlight will be on contemporary literature from Pakistan as over a dozen writers, thinkers and political analysts from India and abroad converge in Kerala for the two-day Kovalam Literary Festival from Oct 2.
To be held in Thiruvananthapuram, the festival will feature a global panel of writers for the first time. This is the third edition of the festival that will bring contemporary literature, culture and cuisine under one roof.
The high point of the festival will be a sneak peek into writer Deborah Baker-Ghosh’s new book, “The Convert: A Parable of Islam and America” to be published next year. Baker-Ghosh is the wife of novelist Amitav Ghosh.
The two-day gala will be inaugurated by Kerala Minister of Education and Culture M.A. Baby at the Kanakakunnj Palace Oct 2. Writer Paul Zachariah will address the inauguration as the keynote speaker. The KLF emerging writer’s award will be presented to upcoming Malayali writer Saheera Thangal followed by readings from her book.
“The festival will be going international for the first time this year. The focus is on contemporary literature from Pakistan,” Binoo John, organiser of the festival, told IANS.
The day’s session Oct 2 will begin with a discussion on the graphic novel by writer Sarnath Banerjee of “The Barn Owl’s Wondrous Capers” fame.
Banerjee, the co-founder of the platform for graphic novelist, Pao’s Collective, will open the stage for brainstorming on the genre with Mridula Koshy.
The session on graphic novels will be followed by readings by Chinese writer Lijia Zhang from “Socialism is Great” and an interaction with the audience.
New York-based Indian journalist and writer Basharat Peer will read from his book, “Curfewed Night” and discuss the situation in Kashmir - a subject that the book explores with sensitivity - with BBC journalist Amit Baruah.
Pakistani author Ali Sethi, who wrote “The Wish Maker” published by Penguin-India’s classic imprint Hamish Hamilton, will read from his book and discuss it with Deborah Baker-Ghosh.
It will be followed by discussions and readings by Karachi-based H.M. Naqvi, Manu Joseph, Suresh Menon, Daman Singh and South African writer Zubeida Zaffer.
The proceedings for Oct 3 will begin with the K.C. John lecture, “Do We Have a Sense of History” by journalist Satish Jacob.
Pakistan will once again be the focus of attention when writer Mohammed Haneef, author of the “Case of Exploding Mangoes” engages journalist Suresh Menon in a discussion about the contemporary realities in Pakistan.
It will be followed by discussions on individual titles by Amish Tripathy, the author of “The Immortals of Meluha”. Captain Gopinath will discuss his autobiography “Simply Flying” with Baruah.
The festival will end with a debate “Indo-Pak Series: Is There a Way Ahead”. The panel will comprise Mohammed Haneef, Ali Sethi, H.M. Naqvi, Shashi Tharoor, Basharat Peer, Deborah Baker Ghosh and Satish Jacob.
The festival will be compered by Ira Trivedi.
