Date: until 3 February 2013
The Kolkata Literary Meet – or KaLaM, which is our preferred daaknaam – was overwhelmingly well-received when we debuted at the Kolkata Book Fair in January 2012. In 2013, KaLaM has tried to build on the inaugural edition. Our focus this year is to introduce Kolkata’s readers to writers from the Arab world – the new hub of international writing.
Our other focus is to know our neighbours better. While Kolkata and Dhaka are just 40 minutes apart by air, rarely do readers get to see writers from across the border. Kolkata Literary Meet will present some rare conversations in Bengali, to discuss the future of our shared language and its remarkable literature with impressive representation from Kolkata and Dhaka. Writers from Pakistan, China, Australia and, of course, from England and the USA will complete our international list, alongside speakers representing the home contingent. With topics as varied as history, sport, geopolitics and cinema, there’s something for everyone.
No registrations, no passes, no tickets. Just turn up, participate in the discussions, get involved in the debates and enjoy the tales that some of the greatest storytellers of our times will be sharing with you. Kolkata Literary Meet is a meet that caters to you, the reader. So sit back and enjoy a sumptuous literary feast.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Unless otherwise mentioned, the venue for the event is the Google Dome at Milan Mela. All information is correct as on the time of posting. The programme is subject to change.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: litmeet@gameplan.co.in
Website: http://www.kolkatalitmeet.in
The Kolkata Literary Meet – or KaLaM, which is our preferred daaknaam – was overwhelmingly well-received when we debuted at the Kolkata Book Fair in January 2012. In 2013, KaLaM has tried to build on the inaugural edition. Our focus this year is to introduce Kolkata’s readers to writers from the Arab world – the new hub of international writing.
Our other focus is to know our neighbours better. While Kolkata and Dhaka are just 40 minutes apart by air, rarely do readers get to see writers from across the border. Kolkata Literary Meet will present some rare conversations in Bengali, to discuss the future of our shared language and its remarkable literature with impressive representation from Kolkata and Dhaka. Writers from Pakistan, China, Australia and, of course, from England and the USA will complete our international list, alongside speakers representing the home contingent. With topics as varied as history, sport, geopolitics and cinema, there’s something for everyone.
No registrations, no passes, no tickets. Just turn up, participate in the discussions, get involved in the debates and enjoy the tales that some of the greatest storytellers of our times will be sharing with you. Kolkata Literary Meet is a meet that caters to you, the reader. So sit back and enjoy a sumptuous literary feast.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
- 2.15pm: The Moderate Writes Back | Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Azad Essa discuss extremism, moderates and their writings. In conversation with Pritha Kejriwal
- 4.25pm: Arabesque | Ahdaf Soueif discusses being Egypt’s chronicler and the importance of women’s writing in unquiet times. In conversation with Ritu Menon
- 5.30pm: Thoroughly Tharoor | Shashi Tharoor on the first 25 years of published writings, and everything in between. In conversation with Sanjeev Sanyal
- 6.35pm: Faith, Fiction and Fame | Amish Tripathi in conversation with Jash Sen on his much-awaited Oath of the Vayuputras
- 12.30pm: Double Take | David Davidar discusses the occupational hazards and the unexpected joys of being a writer and publisher at the same time, with Nilanjana S. Roy. At Adda Zone
- 12.30pm: Literature Across Frontiers Poetry Workshop | Featuring Doris Kareva, Kathryn Gray, Sampurna Chattarji, Mamta Sagar, Binayak Bandyopadhyay, Nilanjan Banerjee and Akshay Pathak
- 2.15pm: The Second One | Ruchir Joshi, Jeet Thayil, Amitabha Bagchi and Mridula Koshy discuss the challenges presented by the second novel. In conversation with Arunava Sinha
- 3.20pm: A New Link Language | Farah Ghuznavi, Sampurna Chattarji and Sreemoyee Piu Kundu discuss English writings on both sides of the border. In conversation with Yajnaseni Chakraborty
- 4.25pm: Tiger’s Tales and the Search for a New Cricket Memoir | Sourav Ganguly unveils Sharmila Tagore’s new book on Tiger Pataudi, and discusses whether today’s cricketers have the time to put pen to paper. In conversation with Suresh Menon
- 6.35pm: The Ibis in Mid-voyage | Amitav Ghosh discusses his books, his inspirations and the fate of the Ibis. In conversation with Sukanta Chaudhuri
- 7.40pm: KaLaM Power of Reading Award | To be given to Third Eye Charitable Trust for helping the visually impaired discover the joy of literature
- 8pm: Nayikar Bhumikay — Satyajiter Naari Choritro | Madhabi Mukherjee, Sharmila Tagore and Aparna Sen discuss Satyajit Ray’s female protagonists. In conversation with Rituparno Ghosh
- 2.15pm: All in the Family | Nabaneeta Dev Sen discusses the writing gene with Antara Dev Sen
- 2.15pm: Thriller Cities | Anita Nair, Corban Addison and Ravi Subramanian discuss why India’s metros provide a perfect backdrop for crime and crime busters, in conversation with Arunava Sinha. At Adda Zone
- 3.20pm: Epic Fascination | Amruta Patil and Madeline Miller discuss their interest in ancient epics and how their generation seeks to interpret it. In conversation with Supriya Chaudhuri
- 4.25pm: A Tryst with Dynasty | Tavleen Singh on why writers and readers never tire of the Nehru-Gandhi family. In conversation with Sayan Bhattacharya
- 5.35pm: Praaner Bhasha: Bangladesh’s Fight for a Linguistic Identity | Anisul Hoque and Belal Chowdhury discuss Bangladesh’s language and identity Ranjan Bandyopadhyay
- 5.35pm: Writing East, Looking West | Corban Addison, John R. Schmidt and Bharati Mukherjee on writing about India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for Western audiences. In conversation with Sujoy Bhattacharya. At the Adda Zone
Unless otherwise mentioned, the venue for the event is the Google Dome at Milan Mela. All information is correct as on the time of posting. The programme is subject to change.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: litmeet@gameplan.co.in
Website: http://www.kolkatalitmeet.in
