The first major literary initiative of the year - Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival - presents its seventh edition from 14-17 January 2016, with signature events at the city’s magnificent heritage sites and the iconic Oxford Bookstore Kolkata. Expect an unusual array of new literary experiences!
News June 06: Apeejay Surrendra Group and Oxford Bookstores have announced that the eighth edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival is to be hosted in Kolkata from 15th – 18th January 2017
Eminent Poet and Novelist Ben Okri shared his excitement to be part of AKLF 2016:
“It is with great pleasure that I am coming to the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival. As you all know, I feel India to be a kind of home for me. It is a mysterious feeling and I have felt it since the first day I visited many years ago. This is my first time at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, and I am looking forward to the sharing of ideas and to the customary warmth with which India receives its visitors. I shall be talking about my new novel, 'The Age of Magic', will be sharing some thoughts on the mystery of storytelling, and will be reading from my poetry. I am looking forward to our literary and spiritual encounters.”
Distinguished Indian poet and novelist Anjum Hasan shared her excitement to be part of AKLF 2016:
This is the first time I’m speaking at AKLF and am looking forward to the experience. Kolkata audiences, in my experience, are highly serious and engaged listeners and I feel a closeness to the city, so am genuinely excited about coming.
Famous Australian Chef and author Christine Manfield shared her excitement to be part of AKLF 2016:
It's an absolute honour to be invited to participate in this year's literary festival and to share in the spirit of Kolkata's rich cultural life, to engage with the local audience through ongoing conversations about my culinary discoveries and the deep respect I have for India's rich and diverse food culture. My latest book A Personal Guide to India and Bhutan is a trusted guide from my first hand experiences, to give curious travellers and readers a reliable and ideal travel companion. Plus the opportunity for share some of my dessert secrets with local food lovers in a demonstration workshop. (Photo Credit: Anson Smart)
Screening of Aparna Sen's Saari Raat(Hindi) Release of Anjum Katyal's Badal Sircar:Towards a Theatre of Conscience followed by the screening. With Aparna Sen, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anjan Dutt, Ritwick Chakravarty, Neel Dutt, Shailja Kejriwal and Anjum Katyal.
Of Impossible Loves
Release of Durjoy Datta's new novel Our Impossible Love followed by an interactive session with the author.
So what if I have a problem, I am still growing UP
Concerns and paradoxes of student life. An inspirational session by Jeroninio Almeida supported by Jimmy Tangree. In memory of Shri Jit Paul.
Secrets and Lies
Release of Meera Syal's new novel, The House of Hidden Mothers, followed by a conversation with Shobhaa De. Chief Guest Anuradha Lohia.
Sing Me a Story
A teacher-student activity: take any folk tale from around the world and present it as a song.
Shotgun Says
Shatrughan Sinha releases his biography Anything But Khamosh: The Shatrughan Sinha Biography by Bharathi S Pradhan, followed by a conversation with the author and Chief Guest, filmmaker Goutam Ghose..
From Poetry to Politics
Ben Okri reads his poetry. Followed by Media and Social Change: More Bark than Bite. Ashis Nandy, Vir Sanghvi, Saba Naqvi, Ruchir Joshi, Prerna Langa debate the real power of mass media to change society.
New Asia Now!
Launch of the Griffith Review anthology of new Asian writing. With Jane Camens, Anjum Hasan. Chief Guest Anuradha Lohia.
Sugar n Spice
Christine Manfield and Meera Syal 'sweet talk' their way through memories of childhood and favourite desserts, while Christine does a demo of a special dessert from her book Dessert Divas.
Art of the Book Cover Judges Aman Nath and Alka Pande announce the shortlist for the new Oxford Book Cover Prize, and discuss the selection process with Marc Parent.
Bloody Scotland and Dame Agatha Celebrating 125 years of Agatha Christie. Release of Kathryn Harkup's A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie. With Dom Hastings, Kathryn Harkup, Anuja Chauhan. Moderated by Sumit Ray. Chief Guest Sujata Sen.
The People Speak
Release of Vir Sanghvi's new book Mandate: The Will of the People, followed by a conversation with Saba Naqvi. Chief Guest Ashis Nandy.
Of Magic and Mysteries
Release of Ben Okri's new novel, The Age of Magic, followed by a talk by Ben Okri on The Mysteries of Storytelling, and an interaction with Sujata Sen. Chief Guest Jayanta Sengupta.
Photo-Walk Adda
Park Street Insta-walk participants and photo-walkers meet to discuss photography and images from the photo-walks.
Flavours of Culture
Showcasing Australian master chef, food & travel writer Christine Manfield's new book A Personal Guide to India and Bhutan. Book Release by Vir Sanghvi, followed by a conversation with chef Sharad Dewan of The Park and Nondon Bagchi. Photographer Credit Anson Smart
Friend or Foe: On Being Neighbourly
Ashis Nandy, Sugata Bose and Salil Tripathy discuss issues of coexistence. Moderated by Raju Raman.
Love for Sale
Release of River of Flesh and Other Stories: The Prostituted Woman in Indian Fiction by Keya, Sonagachhi leader. Followed by a discussion with the editor, Ruchira Gupta, Nayanika Mookherjee, Modhurima Sinha and Ratnottama Sengupta, with readings by Aparna Sen.
