The 12th edition of the Delhi Literature Festival was a weekend dedicated to the magic of literature and vibrant cultural celebrations held at the ecologically designed India Habitat Centre in the heart of New Delhi from January 19th to 21st, 2024.
The festival brought together renowned authors, poets, and cultural enthusiasts.
Key highlights
Diverse Literary Sessions: The festival featured a diverse range of literary sessions, including discussions, book readings, and performances. The lineup included best-selling authors, famous poets, and light musical performances.
Inclusive Partnerships: The festival is held in partnership with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Vodafone Idea Ltd, and supported by the Sahitya Akademi. This collaboration brought together various stakeholders to contribute to the cultural celebration.
Official Bookstore Partners: Kunzum Bookstores and Oxford Bookstores proudly served as the official bookstore partners, ensuring that attendees have access to a wide range of literary works.
Radio and Gifting Partners: Radio City was the Radio Partner, and Pouls.of.art served as the gifting partner, adding to the overall experience of the festival.
Thought-Provoking Sessions: The festival featured thought-provoking sessions, including discussions on political landscapes, dilemmas faced by publishers in the digital age, and explorations of epic characters like Krishna and Shikhandi.
Cultural Performances: There were live performances, including “Sur Sandhya,” a musical performance, and “Kavi Sammelan: Words, Wisdom & Celebrating Life,” featuring renowned poets.
Panel Discussions: Engaging panel discussions were scheduled on topics such as “Content & Communities: The Publishers Dilemma in the Digital Age” and “Ayodhya Unravelled,” offering insights and perspectives on relevant issues.
Women’s Poetry Showcase: The festival concluded with Kavyitri Sammelan, highlighting the power of women’s poetry, featuring accomplished poets.
International Representation: The festival included distinguished speakers, including representatives from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, contributing to the global perspective.
Continuation of Tradition: The Delhi Literature Festival, initiated in 2013, has become a significant cultural event, extending invitations to best-selling and acclaimed authors from leading publishers.
The festival has a wide digital range. According to Bharati Bhargava Founder- Director Delhi Literature Festival, the digital exposure provides a global stage for sharing information, experiences, and initiatives. This visibility allows to reach individuals from various parts of the world who may share an interest in the cause. ” Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn enable us to engage with a diverse audience. We hosted virtual events, webinars, live streams during Covid times. It connected us with a global audience in real-time. This is especially beneficial for reaching individuals who may not be able to attend physical events due to geographical constraints,” Bharati adds.
Ajay Sharma, the founding Director of the festival who is also the Indian Industry association veteran and well networked within the business community and the political circle tells us that Delhi Literature Fest which started in 2013 has evolved to showcase a new narrative of India, incorporating discussions, poetry balanced by performances.
He mentions Dr Himanshu Srivastava who played the powerful character of Shikhandi. (Shikhandi is a fascinating figure from Mahabharta) The character’s journey and identity have been subjects of exploration and reinterpretation. The epic character from Indian mythology, is often associated with gender identity and inclusivity.
“We are tapping into cultural richness. Exploring such narratives adds depth and provides an opportunity for the audience to connect with their cultural heritage.” He further adds.
With its rich program and diverse offerings, the Delhi Literature Festival aims to create a platform for literary enthusiasts, fostering a love for literature and promoting cultural exchange. The variety of sessions and collaborations contribute to making it a comprehensive celebration of words and culture in the heart of Delhi.
