Leading writers and critics from India and Pakistan will attend the second annual DSC South Asian Literature Festival to be held here from October 7.
“Headline” events, announced by the organisers of the two-week long festival, include the launch of a biography of Sonia Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, an Indian Destiny by Rani Singh, a London-based broadcaster and analyst, and debates on a range of issues of contemporary relevance to South Asia.
Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif, whose debut novel A Case of Exploding Mangoes received wide critical acclaim, is expected to launch his second book.
The festival will conclude on October 24 with the announcement of the shortlist for this year's $50,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature.
Confirmed participation
More than 70 writers, including Amit Chaudhuri, Romesh Gunesekera, Mohammed Hanif, Kamila Shamsie, Mirza Waheed, Anjali Joseph, Rana Dasgupta, and Moni Mohsin, were said to have confirmed participation.
As last year, the events would be spread across London and the festival would then move to other British cities.
In a statement, the organisers promised “a thrilling mix of the written word, imagery, film, music, performance and art…in this truly unique, cross-disciplinary festival.”
Highlights would include the first public screening in the U.K. of Van Maximillian Carlson's documentary, Bhopali (about the survivors of Bhopal's gas disaster); an exhibition, “Endangered Species” by Kashmiri graphic novelist Malik Sajad; a rare glimpse into Afghanistan's literary scene; and an illustrated talk on the rise of graphic novels and comics depicting Indian mythology.
Critically acclaimed
The festival would also provide a platform for Britain's critically acclaimed young writers such as Nikesh Shukla, Bidisha, Niven Govinden, Kavita Bhanot and Gautam Malkani.
Founded by publishing colleagues Jon Slack and Bhavit Mehta, the festival is sponsored by DSC Limited, who are also the principal sponsors of the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival.
