Banking on the
fact that Goa’s literary and cultural diversity made the State a fertile place
to host the international Writers and Readers Festival, Founder Alaham Anil
Kumar organised the first edition of the three-day festival in Goa, which
commenced on October 4, 2014 and concluded yesterday. Bringing together an
enviable bank of not only seasoned and new writers/authors, but also
well-established publishing houses, Kumar’s purpose, besides its literary
interaction, has been to provide a platform and international window for voices
coming out of Goa. During the course of
the three-day event, the festival has in a large measure been able to hold good
on its promise despite the fact that some authors/panelists were no shows. The
more lamentable fact however was that despite such a ‘literary’ enriched
festival happening in the heart of the capital city itself, there were hardly
any Goans in attendance.
“I must salute
the fact that it was Goa-centric with the involvement of many Goan English
writers in the festival. We were given equal footage,” affirms writer and art
historian Savia Viegas who spoke on the topic ‘The Unsevered Connection: Goa
and Portugal’. She also commends the
fact that the festival was linked to programmes like the one Kirsty Murray
conducted at Hamara School in St Inez. “When a festival happens in a particular
location, it is important that it impacts on the local fabric and I am so happy
to see this happen at this festival,” she states. “The fact that the festival
included publishers; touched upon themes that were well-linked and a schedule
that was well-designed, looping in panels into one another effortlessly is
indicative of the fact that a lot of thought went into the organisation.”
“Why did the locals not take advantage of such
a festival that has been brought to their doorstep?,” queries Savia.
“It would have
been nice if there was a greater participation from Goans,” endorses political
editor The Caravan, and author of ‘Waters Close Over Us: A Journey Along the
Narmada’, Hartosh Singh Bal. “The prospect of meeting other writers and
interacting with people from all over the country as well as expatriates living
in Goa has been an enriching experience,” he adds.
Closely connected
to the festival, C P Surendran is confident that Goa is the place to hold such
festivals and promises to be back with a bigger bank next year.
From those across
the borders, like Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka, the festival has been
an eye-opener and an opportunity to interact with various writers from across
the globe and exchange views. “India is
rich in literary festivals and I am glad that another has taken place in Goa,”
he avers. To Goa-based German culinary
author, Kornelia Santoro, the Writers and Readers Festival has been one of the
best yet. Not only was it an opportunity
for her to participate with her panel discussion on ‘Food for thought’, but was
a great platform to meet other writers and exchange notes.
To the literary voices, from Goa and elsewhere, the first edition of the Writers and Readers festival has been an unforgettable fest.