Retrieved via the Wayback Machine. Originally posted by Janhavi Acharekar.

Having posted my rah-rah piece on lit events, with the Times carrying on the tradition, here are stray lines picked up from DSL -

“A bookzine that introduces the best of world literature to India and Indian writing to the world.” (Launch of Atlas)

“On the scaffold, lovers do not quiver.”
(Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif translated by Anju Makhija)

“Sir, can I touch you?” (Addressed to Gregory David Roberts)

“Oops, is that bird dropping on my head?” (An unlucky member of the audience)

“Keep writing. We’ll keep striving for more readers.” (Sriram, to writers present at the launch of Atlas)

“One passionfruit-peach-herb infused tea please.” (At the hot juice/ fruit tea stall)

“A-rain-a-rain-a-rainarainaraina-RAIN!” (From Tom Alter’s reading of Sudeep Sen’s poetry)

“Lovely evening.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist that.)

Retrieved via the Wayback Machine. Originally posted by Janhavi Acharekar.

Now that the Literature festival at Kala Ghoda has truly kicked off, I can revoke my vow of ‘no-more-getting-involved-with-the-curating-of-a literary-festival’! Having met with and overcome challenges one did not dream of encountering at a literary fest, I am now happy to announce that we’ve had a full house at NGMA and David Sassoon this opening weekend (whew!). The Dark Horse by JustUs Repertory was met with much success - not even the steps inside the auditorium (allowing for little or zero stage visibility) were spared. The launch of ‘bookzine’ Atlas by editor Sudeep Sen and Sriram (on behalf of publisher Crossword), at the DSL garden gave us the best of writing talent in an audio-visual treat. Stark, sepia portraits of Julio Rebeiro, Gulzar, Medha Patkar, Nandita Das and other prominent citizens by Rafeeq Elias were projected on screen as poems and prose extracts were read in a candle-lit atmosphere. The photographs were to be part of a campaign with the caption ‘Who am I?’ during the Gujarat riots but like so many brilliant projects, it was shelved for lack of sponsors. They now find place in Atlas.

Sunday afternoon began with a delightful reading of poetry for youth, presented by Anju Makhija and Jane Bhandari. Poets Sampurna Chatterjee, Rizio Raj Yohannan, Marilyn Noronha and Priya Sarukkai Chhabria read their poems for young adults. One wished there had been more young adults at the reading, although a senior citizen sportingly raised her hand when Anju asked if there were any young students present in the audience!

However, the star of the Literature festival this weekend was undoubtedly (and no prizes for guessing) what has become a phenomenon - Shantaram. Gregory David Roberts in his dapper designer suit and dark glasses was welcomed by a crowd I have yet to see at the David Sassoon. Not only did we run out of seating, we had people perched on tables that were meant to exhibit book copies. Shivani, our compere, needed a cordless mike backstage as she couldn’t make her way past the crowd and I have a feeling the herb-fruit-tea-and-something-fusion stall owner at the venue is silently thanking us. From kids to elderly Kanjeevaram-clad aunties asked if they could touch (I swear) this new rock star of literature (move over Bryan Adams). The evening came to an end with a much-needed soothing and wonderful ‘poetry, art and jazz performance’ of Rain by Sudeep Sen along with Tom Alter and flautist Rajeev Raja.

As I made my way home from the library last night, Greg was still signing copies and belting out a popular Hindi film song for Shantaram-struck fans outside.