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Chandigarh, a city known for its unique tapestry woven from its vibrant culture, style and sophistication, set out to explore yet another feather in its wing. The AWWA Lit Fest, 'Abhivyakti' turned to Chandigarh for its fourth edition kindling a passion for literature, poetry and storytelling. ‘Abhivyakti,’ which translates to articulation or simply, to express oneself, was held at the Khetarpal Officer’s Institute (KOI), Chandimandir Military Station, from 8-10 November, 2024. This particular Lit Festival is one of the many philanthropic programs steered by AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association) to bolster the ‘force behind the forces’.
The Fest featured a zesty list of authors, an array of engaging panel discussions, book launches, creative workshops and even stand-up performances. Themed ‘Explore, Express and Experience”, the event beheld the presence of myriad artists ranging from established authors like Amish Tripathi and Neelesh Kulkarni to the acclaimed Bollywood actor Boman Irani as well as the army-brats turned famed actors, Pooja Batra and Maj (Dr) Mohammad Ali Shah.
The introductory spell unfolded with Boman Irani’s poignant tales, where he fervently recounts his aspiring journey through a series of heartfelt anecdotes. Reminiscing on his life’s narrative, Irani painted an emotional picture of his early tussles interweaving it with moments of vulnerability and perseverance unto his triumphant rise to fame in Bollywood. His life's story resonated tunefully with the audience, as he shared profound lessons accumulated along the way.
Following that, an engaging panel discussion titled, “Timeless Voices: Celebrating Women Writers and Contributions of Army Spouses” unfurled. The panel featured Anuja Chauhan, the acclaimed author behind her best-selling novels like “The Zoya Factor,” Aditi Mathur Kumar, an Army wife, TEDx Speaker and author of "Soldier & Spice: An Army Wife's Life" and Meenu Tripathi, a freelance Hindi author. The audience was treated to rousing narratives and reflections revealing women writers' impact across both creative and cultural pastures.
Renowned author, Amish Tripathi, celebrated for his trailblazing novels that intricately weave together the threads of mythology and imagination engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the theme 'Mythical Modernity: Indian Legends Re-imagined.’ His insights stirred audiences to find a “balance” between traditional narratives and the sensibilities of contemporary life. His compelling chronicles have not only captivated the readers but also notably shaped theunderstanding of our mythical fables.
Author Neelesh Kulkarni delved into the rich aspects of Indian ethos in a thought-provoking discussion on "India’s Civilizational History: A Brilliant Mosaic” revealing the elegant montage of history, traditions and values that have shaped India through the ages.
On the other side, talented women authors took the spotlight for their much-awaited book launches. As each author took the stage, they unveiled touching narratives radiating the tender defiance of the feminine spirit. These gentle yet assertive expressions add fertility to the literary ethos and confirm the resilience and creative forte of womanhood.
The festival's final day began with an invaluable keynote address by renowned author Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai, who passionately stressed the importance of fostering a reading culture. Urging aspiring writers to venture beyond the confines of traditional textbooks and embrace the art of storytelling, Dr Pillai stated, “Each of us has a story to tell!”
The final panel discussion resonated with the rhythm of the event and the need to expand our literary experiences. Themed, “Rekindling the habit of reading,” the conversation featured Ajay Jain, founder of Kunzum, a chain of boutique bookstores, founder of Highbrow Scribes Publications, Vandana Bhatia Palli and Saguna Jain. Inspiring listeners to explore a wider array of literature to kindle the deepest levels of their imagination, the panel shared their valuable sentiments on the “shift in reading habits of people in the age of digitalisation”, where they feel more connected to digital books than the traditional ones.
The AWWA Lit Fest turned out to be a vibrant celebration of literary fortes, bringing together an eclectic mix of authors, poets and reading enthusiasts. The fest not only saluted the gallantry and heroism of the armed forces but also forged a deeper bond between the military community and the creative realm, highlighting the profound interplay between art and service. Through a sequence of enchanting readings, discussions, and performances, the fest eloquently ‘articulated’ the intricate relationship between art and service, illuminating how creativity can emerge from personal sacrifice to a larger cause.
- Simran Maharaj
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