Delhi gears up for its own LitFest

: With a slogan of 'Aapka Apna literature festival', the fourth edition of Delhi Literature Festival will begin on Friday at Dilli Haat. The festival will bring together more than 50 authors, publishers, diplomats and eminent personalities from different walks of life with stimulating discussions spread over three days from Friday to Sunday.

The festival, scheduled to be inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will have thought-provoking sessions on intolerance, publishing, the issue of identity, contemporary India and more for the Delhi audience.

"We have a good line up of writers for the fourth edition. We are looking forward to more footfalls than the previous editions as we have shifted the venue to a more spacious Dilli Haat this time and the entry is free. With the presence of authors like Munnawar Rana, William Dalrymple, Vikas Swarup and many others, we are promising a treat for Delhites," said Bharti Bhargava, Founder Director, Delhi Literature Festival.

Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Munnawar Rana will be felicitated for his contribution to the field of poetry, she added.

Contemporary social issues and issues of identity will be brought to the forefront with sessions like 'Idea of India' with panelists Rajya Sabha member Pavan Kumar Verma, author Tarun Vijay, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and author William Dalrymple.

"We have relevant discussions like the session 'Coming of the Age of intolerance'," said Bhargava. The discussion can expect heated exchanges with panelists like diplomat turned politician Mani Shankar Aiyar, columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni and Seshadri Chari.

While Sankarshan Thakur will discuss his latest release 'The Brothers Bihari' which talks about the evolution of Nitish Kumar-Laalu Prasad alliance, literature takes central focus as political Journalist and analyst Omair Ahmad, discuss his book 'The Storyteller's Tale' with crime fiction writer Madhulika Liddle.

With bestselling authors like Vikas Singh of 'The Big Fix fame', Suhail Mathur, author of The Bhairav Putras, and Christopher Doyle, author of 'The Mahabharata Secret', the session on mythology will definitely evoke interest.

" The session 'Trends in Publishing' with participating publishers like Penguin India, Harper Collins, Om Books and Red Ink will provide useful insights to budding writers on how to get their book published, " said Bhargava.

The session 'Bare it all' will explore voyeurism and tell-alls in discussions with author Anuj Dhar, Avirook Sen, author of the stirring book "Aarushi" and Neeraj Kumar, Delhi's former police commissioner.

Poetry lovers have reasons to cheer as there are two sessions focused on Hindi and Urdu. The session 'Populism of Poetry' will have illustrious Hindi poets and writers like Om Thanvi, well known hasyakavi Rasbihari Gaur and writer Atul Kanakalong with Kumar Vishwas.

The concluding session, 'Rediscovery of India' will pay tribute to India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His great grandson and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will engage in session with noted television journalist Barkha Dutt.

The festival will also see the release by William Dalrymple of his 'Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan' apart from books by Rakshanda Jalil and Neelima Kota.

The audiences can also look forward to live performances of sufi, fusion and Bollywood mixes by the Aanch band.