Chandigarh Literature Festival: ‘Returning awards a non-violent protest to safeguard fundamentals, says Nayantara Sahgal

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The panelists talked about how in this digital age of micro-blogging and decimating attention spans, Biblio as a journal has been steadfast in providing an academic and literary platform to the intelligentsia. Dileep Padgaonkar shared various anecdotes of Biblio’s journey and its founding editor Sham Lal. Manisha Sethi discussed the multiple challenges faced by the journal in earning a well-deserved space within the academia. Rukmini Bhaya Nair emphasised generating a connection between readers, authors and texts. Brinda Datta and other panel members discussed the standpoint of Biblio of not following state dictates or any other reigning ideology. Further attention was drawn towards the lack of funds being faced and requirement of investment for further expansion. The ultimate focus lied on the fact of maintaining the status of the journal as a cusp between the academic and the public sphere.

The second and final session on the inaugural day was a special one, with playwright Kiran Nagarkar speaking with famous writer Nayantara Sahgal about her large body of work, the importance of freedom of speech in a democracy and the need to protect those who speak out their minds. Taking the case of eminent writers, including Sahgal, returning their Sahitya Akademi awards, the two authors talked about the current state of the nation and the need to look beyond precipitating incidents and understand the larger picture, of what our nation is turning into.

“The idea of India is being destroyed, freedom has to be protected, and every nation is a work in progress. Many cultures and religions have made India, and secularism is under threat today. We, as people, need to show we care, and returning the awards is a symbolic gesture, a non-violent protest to safeguard the fundamentals that make India,’’ said Sahgal. These protests, added Sahgal, are arising from all sections of society, and the movement, which is spontaneous, has to take itself. “Writers have always expressed their views and thoughts through their writings, and what we believe in gives us courage not to look the other way, but write about what’s wrong around us. In the 20th century, politics has invaded people’s lives and they are suffering because of it. But I am convinced we will overcome this, and emerge stronger, ‘’ added Sahgal.

The festival will also have a writing workshop by Indira Shekhar, editor of ‘Out Of Print Magazine’ for young writers, while film buffs can watch selected films and also discuss these with the directors.

Day 2, November 6, will see ‘Restart: The Last Chance for the Indian Economy’ author Mihir S Sharma in conversation with critic Soutik Biswas. Author Kiran Nagarkar will be in conversation with critic Jai Arjun Singh. ‘Eating God’ author Arundhathi Subramaniam in conversation with critic Akshaya Kumar will be next. A session of ‘Would You Like Some Bread with That Book’ author Veena Venogopal, who will be in conversation with critic Poorva Rajaram, is an attraction. ‘Landscapes of Fear: Understanding Impunity’ author Navsharan in conversation with critic Manisha Sethi will be next. In the evening enjoy a performance by renowned Sufi singer Azaad.