Jaipur Literature Festival 2013 has mastered the art of raising controversies of one kind or another. Last year it was Rushdie who attracted undue attention and this year when it looked things would sail through smoothly came the remark by social commentator Ashish Nandy. Notwithstanding the controversy this edition of J-LitFest would be recalled for several highs that it achieved over the 5 days of literary extravaganza.
Michael Sandel, the rockstar professor from Harvard enthralled the packed audience in the two sessions that he participated in - 'What Money Can't Buy' and 'If Rape is the Most heinous crime'. The mixed audience of academics, literature buffs, writers, housewives and children enthusiastically participated in both the sessions. He truly democratized the sessions. My guess is he acted as an anchor rather than a monologue professor and carried the audience with him to the logical conclusion of the issues that he discussed. Assertion of a lady participant from Mumbai - "I do not need virginity but my limbs to live a dignified life" during his debate on "If Rape is the most heinous crime" told a million tales about what Indian women want today.
The arguments that flew thick and fast between the speakers and poet, lyricist Javed Akhtar during the session on Caste and Religion and the audience engaging in the discussion goes long way to prove that freedom of expression has certainly come of age in India and JLF is one such forum which provides ample opportunity for thinkers to express their view freely and for the common audience to counter and question the argument put forth by the authors.
Prasoon Joshi and Shabana Azmi engaged in what sounded like monologue to me deriding the vulgar portrayal of women in Hindi cinema and the rising trend of raunchy 'item numbers' and 'item songs' being added in the hindi movies to make the film sell-able. I would have appreciated, if they could expand their view point beyond the Hindi cinema with which most of the audience are largely acquainted with. Blaming the audience for the growth of vulgarity can not be put squarely on the audience. The film makers are also largely to be blamed. The thinkers should have known that till sixties and early seventies love and romance had a different meaning and imagery in Hindi Cinema and things changed from 70's not because the audience wanted it but because the film makers started serving trashy remakes of south Indian films. The film makers lost their way in early eighties certainly.
Shabana Azmi and Prasoon Joshi in conversation with Sanjoy Roy, the organizer of JLF
Shabana Azmi putting across her views about portrayal of women in Hindi Cinema and the vulgarization of songs and dance.
Baithak, the grand Hall of the palace is a good venue for Baithak but bad for acoustics. Authors had difficulty in connecting with the audience with faulty lighting and sound system. Here the Sri Lankan author reading from his book Serependity.
Author William Darlymple, the brain behind JLF in conversation with a journalist. This photograph aptly portrays the informal air of JLF. Here no one is a VIP and no one gets a seating preference, however powerful you may be, if you're not the author participating in the session, you find a place for yourself in the area for audience and make yourself comfortable. Such contrast with the "You don't know me" refrain of Delhi.
Festive look of the Festival venue
Sharmila Tagore, Malashree Lal, Nasreen Munni Kabir listening to Jeet Thayil during the DSC South Asian Literature Award ceremony conducted by actor Kabir Bedi
Glamour quotient was not missing from JLF. Sunanda Pushkar seen here talking to Sharmila Tagore
Sharmila Tagore in conversation with the renowned film writer Nasreen Munni Kabir, talking about her journey into the world of cinema through films of Satyajit Ray.
The attendance at JLF 2013 surpassed its previous best with about 3 lakh people attending it over the 5 days. The festival venue wore a festival look where acclaimed authors and thinkers mingled freely with the common people.
Jeet Thayil won the DSC South Asian Literature Award for his Mumbai centric novel Nacropolis. The award comes along with a prize money of 50,000 us dollars. 'Nacropolis edged past Jamil Ahmed's 'The Wandering Falcon', Tahmima Anam's The Good Muslim, Amitava Ghosh's River of Smoke, Mohammed Hanif's Our Lady of Alice Bhatti and The Walls of Delhi by Uday Prakash. All fine wordsmiths! Jeet after receiving his award from film actress Sharmila Tagore and Bhanwri Devi, the lady who fought for justice after subjected to rape in a Rajasthan village. Her fight against cruelty against women led to the now famous Bhanwri Devi judgement by the Supreme Court of India which is a landmark judgement for dealing with cruelty against women. Her presence at JLF was symbolic of the mood that prevails in India today.
Notice the Monroe print dress of Oscar Award winner Pakistani film maker articulating if Pakistan qualifies to be branded as a 'Failed state'. Moderated by Barkha Dutt, the leading TV journalist of NDTV Group had a tough time making the panelist agree even to the definition of a 'failed state'. The panelist with as broader representation as Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine and Iran, however were of the view that the Americanized definition of a failed state is not the only definition. Somalia may be a filed state, but Pakistan or for that matter India is certainly not a failed state and there is hope for the world despite the sense of despair.
To catch the next round of JILF in Jan 2104, plan in advance. Accommodations become scarce in Jaipur during this 5 day festival. My recommendation is Hotel Arya Niwas off MI Road on Sansar Chand Road built in a renovated haveli, it offers all modern amenities while retaining the old age charm, greenery and feeling of space. Passionately run by the owner family, Arya Niwas aims to provide comfortable stay in elegant surroundings at reasonable prices. Write / call them for booking in advance since they are favourites of Literature buffs.
info@aryaniwas.com +91 141 407 3450, +91 98290-40549.
The galleries are open on all days from 10 am to 6 pm. One can watch plays, musical soires, mushaira and other cultural programmes which is organized on regular basis. The annual Drama Festival is a marquee event here.
