Arbaaz Khan
Chandigarh: The 3rd edition of the prestigious Shoolini Literature Festival is being held on March 17 and 18 in the picturesque campus of Shoolini University, located near Solan, in Himachal Pradesh.
The campus is ready to host around 50 eminent speakers to talk about their work in different genres including fiction, poetry, films, food, and more.
One of India’s most prolific and popular writers, Ruskin Bond, will deliver the keynote address at the Litfest on March 17. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, prominent diasporic novelist, will be the keynote speaker on the second day. Her novels, “Palace of Illusions,” and “The last Queen” continue to top the charts and her latest novel is titled “Independence”.
Among the authors, writers, film makers and journalists participating are the famous playwright Mahesh Dattani, Raj Shekhar, poet and lyricist for films like “Tanu Weds Manu,” “Veere di wedding,” and “Uri”, Atika Chohan scriptwriter for acclaimed films like “Chhapaak” and “Margrita with a Straw”, Manjiri Prabhu, known as India’s Agatha Christie, doctor turned food writer, Nandita Iyer; Pavan Jha, noted film historian; Journalist and author Shuma Raha, Ankit Jhamb and Mamta Chander, corporate leaders who love writing and Chander Trikha, veteran Hindi writer and award winning poet.
Dr Ashoo Khosla, who heads the preparation for the Festival, said at a press conference on Monday that the two-day festival will have many other attractions like book signing, storytelling sessions, writing competitions, etc. Musical performances are planned in the evenings. A band of young artists called the Benaam Artists from Chattisgarh will regale the audiences on day 1 with some Film and folk music. On the second day senior artists from Kolkata will present Sarod and vocal recitals in the Hindustani classical tradition.
The festival, which is open to the public, has been clubbed with the annual Flower festival at Shoolini which includes an exhibition and sale of floral and ornamental plants, exciting cuisines and fun activities for children.
She said the two-day festival will provide ample food for thought and intellectual stimulation. Shoolini University, known primarily for its scientific research and publications, has off late made a major foray into literature and humanities, as is evident from the literary activities being held over the last few years. Its third Literature Festival is yet another step in this direction.