Lit minds, on a virtual path
It’s a little late than usual, but once again lit minds will come together for the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), albeit in a virtual way in 2021. Littérateurs from across the globe can hear various authors, speak their mind, as well as soak in some soulful music without having to worry about travelling during the pandemic. The long list of speakers at the 10-day event, which starts today, includes authors Philip Pullman, Deepa Anappara and Annie Zaidi, actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nandita Das, badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, and more.
One wonders if going virtual posed a challenge to curate the line-up, but William Dalrymple, writer and festival co-director says, “The problem used to be to persuade people to set off for a week to the other side of the world. And my job became much easier this year because all I had to do is pursue people to go on a video call!”
Although happy that the “festival is happening”, historian Rana Safvi says she will miss the “physical camaraderie”. Safvi, who will moderate two sessions this year, opines, “People like us, we feed off the audience reaction... When you are in front of an audience, you conduct the discussion differently; that isn’t possible virtually.”
The regulars might miss clicking selfies, but there won’t be any dearth of literature for bookaholics. “We’ve attempted to capture the essence of the festival online by incorporating components such as an online book store, a crafts area, music, shooting our links from Diggi Palace...,” says Sanjoy K Roy, festival producer.
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Literature
What: Jaipur Festival 2021 www.online.jaipur
Where: literaturefestival.org
On till: February 28