6th edition of Tata Literture Live opens today

Tata Literature Live!, the annual literary event that the Tata Group hosts in Mumbai, is back. The timing couldn't have been better considering the recent turn of events where quite a few writers returned their Sahitya Akademi awards.

Over 120 celebrated writers and thinkers from over 14 countries will participate in the festival, making this a truly international literature event. Among them are Egyptian-American Mona Eltahawy who is creating waves for her recent book, ‘Headscarves and Hymens’, Germaine Greer, one of the pioneers of the international feminist movement, India’s ‘Suitable Boy’ – Vikram Seth and Hussain Zaidi – investigative journalist and author of Dongri to Dubai, among others. 

On her participation at the festival, Germaine Greer says, “First of all I am looking forward to being in India. I believe that everyone in the rich world needs regular exposure to the glory and the anguish that is India, and I need it right now. I'm also looking forward to being in Mumbai. I hope I can meet up with some of the women I taught at Sophia in 1982 (such a long time ago!), and I'm looking forward to talking with Vikram Seth, whom I haven't seen for ages. Literary festivals are always fun; a literary festival in wonderful Mumbai will be better than fun.”

Vikram Seth says, “It is with great pleasure that I look forward to going there. And having attended the Mumbai LitFest once before, I know that my usual nervousness when I speak or read (or am heckled) will be more than balanced by the pleasure of meeting other writers - and, needless to say, readers.”

Seven awards will be presented to celebrate and recognise outstanding works – Tata Literature Live! First Book Award for Fiction and Non-Fiction, Tata Literature Live! Book of the Year Award for Fiction and Non-Fiction, Tata Literature Live! Business Book Award, Tata Literature Live! Poet Laureate Award and Tata Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Founder and Director, Literature Live!, Anil Dharker, says, “Mumbai has made Tata Literature Live! an intrinsic part of its cultural scene and it is heartening to know this has happened in a short span of five years. We’re thrilled to announce a fantastic line-up for the sixth edition of Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest. This year’s edition also brings a riveting line-up of international performances from across the globe.”

The performances that Dharker is referring to are: Comedy of Horrors (Mumbai), Schlock! (UK), Storm Still (Kolkata), The River Runs Deep: Rhythm Divine II (Manipur), Ila (Mumbai), When it Rains (Canada), Seasick (Canada), Blank Page (Mumbai).

The fest is on from Oct 29th - Nov 1st, 2015.