National & International fame celebrated authors, writers, poets and creative thinkers descended in Bhopal between 12th to 14th January 2019 at the first-ever Bhopal Literature and Art festival. The venue at Bharat Bhawan which was aesthetically decorated in tribal motifs and colourful tapestry served as a platform for convergence of some very well known names in Indian and International literature and arts around diverse genres of writing.
Jagran Lakecity University was designated as the festival’s academic Partner. Students from JLU’s various schools i.e. Jagran School of Journalism and Communication, JLU School of Hospitality and Tourism, JLU School of Law, Jagran Lakecity Business School, JLU School of Humanities and Arts, JLU School of Engineering and Technology and JLU School of Commerce and Economics participated proactively in the various events scheduled over the span of the 3 day Festival collaborated to curate & write synopsis for the books, anchored the sessions, documented various sessions and interviews of authors through still and video shoots, managed guest relations & registrations at the venue.
Amphitheatre ‘Bahirang’, which has the famous Lake of Bhopal as its backdrop was the venue for the inaugural show. The dais and its surroundings were draped with flowers and colourful silk streamers, as the warm winter sun and the gentle breeze from the lake welcomed us all. Raghav Chandra, the President of Bhopal Litfest in his inaugural speech, invoked Gandhi’s message, on his 150th Birth Anniversary, and said that his thoughts, will be central to the theme of this festival.
The festival began with mesmerizing classical Dhrupad singing performance by the famous Gundecha Brothers who sang their classical compositions such as Toote Sakal Banga and more along with Saraswati Vandana. The dignitaries comprised of Vijay Lakshmi Sadho, Cultural Minister of MP, Pawan Verma, Amitabh Kant from NITI Aayog, John Bowles, Art Collector from USA, Anthony Desa, Raghav Chandra, Director of BLF, Meera Das, co-director of BLF, Renu Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Alphons Kannanthanam, member of Rajya Sabha cum author of book, India 2017.
Sushila Devi Award organised by Ratan Lal Foundation was given to Namita Gokhale for her book, Things To Leave Behind (The story of Kumaon). She was also given a reward of Rs 2 Lakhs. She was awarded by the Chief Guest of the event, Alphons Kannanthanam and Vijayalakshmi Sadho.
The festival culminated with a spellbound cultural night which left the audience wanting for more. Jagran Lakecity University’s credo “Igniting Minds, Changing Lives”, came alive, as the student volunteers from JLU actively contributed to this much-awaited festival of literature and arts in Bhopal.
