This year’s Neev Literature Festival’s (NLF) panel discussions, book readings and workshops are centred on the theme of Taking Children’ Literature Seriously. Kavita Gupta Sabharwal, founder and managing trustee Neev Academy, says NLF will address contemporary issues through literature. “AK Ramanujan once said, ‘Stories are just a grandmother away’. But we are losing such connections to literature and thinking. Reading builds identity. We teach children global history, but we don’t teach them how to relate to the world.”
Kavita planned NLF well in advance. “We have been preparing for months, in fact almost since last year’s edition concluded.” Considerable thought went into curating the festival. NLF centres on five broad topics — reading, identity, delving deep into self awareness, futurism and building bridges with literature. “We wondered what would be relevant to children and parents,” says Kavita, adding, “They are not that interested in how characters and plots are formed, but in how literature empowers people and impacts society.”
In the panel discussions — Conflict That Matters and Literature That Empowers — there will be conversations on topics such as history, identity and self reflection. Kavita explains: “‘Literature That Empowers’, featuring authors Katie Milway Smith and Kinyanjui Kombani, is about how literature has created an impact in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Honduras, where children have been change makers. ‘Conflicts That Matter’, will feature Dhooleka Raj, a professor of anthropology, Nazia Erum, author of Mothering a Muslim, and Veera Hiranandani, whose book The Night Diary , was inspired by some of her father’s experience during the Partition. When you see yourself through literature, it is only then you can you can walk different doors. That is why we have emphasised on literature being a great equaliser, everything else is a differentiator.”
One of the highlights of NLF will be ‘Kashmir Stories’, a panel discussion on how to build a conversation using literature on Kashmir. The panellists include Paro Anand, Devika Rangachari, Mamta Nainy and Rasil Ahuja.
Besides these, 97 workshops will also held for children, parents, authors and librarians. “We have six teacher and librarian workshops, for those aged 15 and above. Susan Perrow will be conduct a workshop with parents on therapeutic storytelling. There will also be Ameen Haque’s workshop — ‘Telling Your Own Story’ besides parent workshops are separated by age groups with workshops for mothers of younger children and those for mothers of older children.”
Kavita adds that themes around Bengaluru will be addressed by illustrator Nafisa Nandini Crishna, who has created stunning illustrations on the city, and author Aditi De, whose workshop is ‘Crafting a City’. Kavita adds: “Archana Garodia Gupta’s workshop is Ancient India’s NRIs, which will look at the global Indian in the context of ancient India. Shruthi Goradia’s workshop is about India's ancient animals. Deepak Dalal will be conduct a workshop, Wild India.”
Kavita says the festival and the workshops are free and it is open to all.
The festival will be held at Neev Academy Campus, Yemalur on September 20 and 21. Call 71101700 or visit neevliteraturefestival.org
