Sri Lankan creative expression at A andK Lit Fest 2018
If there was a place where creative expression in a variety of forms found inclusivity, it was indeed at the A & K Lit Fest held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Hosted for the 4th consecutive year, this year’s festival created a platform for local creative talent in the true Annasi and Kadalagotu style.
The ‘warm up’ sessions were stages for budding writers, with the launch of the book The School Detective Gang by young Abdul Azeez, and creative writing workshops running parallel for adults and children. However, the entire attention of those present was directed at the next session ‘Literature in Governance – the Politics of Writing’ with eminent politicians present not in their usual roles, but as those who have contributed to literature of their own accord. The discussion led by Malinda Seneviratne had Prof. Rajiva Wijesinhe, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Imthiaz Bakeer Markar speaking about creativity and the effects of regulatory on it.
The diversity of creative expression continued throughout the day with Gihan De Chickera speaking about ‘The inherent Sri Lankan ability to see humour in everything’ and Anoja Rajapathirana presenting a heartwarming session on ‘ Writing with Disabilities’.
The late afternoon was dedicated to three distinct panels; ‘ Women in Writing’, ‘Science Fiction’ and ‘Poetry Corner: from Bard to Verse’, the latter featuring modern Sinhala poets. Each gained a significant audience, reconfirming an objective of the A and K Lit Fest from its inception – celebrating the diversity of literature in Sri Lanka.
Following ‘Cornerstone Speeches’ – a panel, which was as diverse as it could be, demonstrating tips on comedy, publishing, writing and diplomacythe closing session was a tribute to the venue of the A and K Lit Fest, the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Mohan Raj Madawala, whose novel Lovina brought to life the legacy of the hotel and presented the historical background to his book. The curtains came down on the festival with an amazing performance by up and coming Sri Lankan folk rock band ‘Bambaroo’, who also had a song specially titled ‘Lovina’.