First edition of Jaipur Literature Festival in Houston hits a chord with audience

Some excellent panel discussions on literature, art and history, a joyous spontaneity and democratic spirit were the highlights of the first edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival here, organisers said Saturday.

"Shared Narratives", the first edition of ZEE JLF at Houston, took place at the Asia Society Center, Texas. It featured more than 15 fast-paced packed sessions over 25 authors, and was attended by hundreds of book lovers who met their favourite writers and conversed with them.

JLF, a confluence of East and West, brought together enlightened voices from across the world, to highlight contrasts, recognize similarities, engender empathy, and acknowledge the right of every individual to have the freedom to dream, and to express, they said, adding that it also showed a joyous spontaneity and democratic spirit.

"It is this dream that binds communities together and gives fruition to a creative force, celebrating and embodying every aspect of being human," Sanjoy Roy, festival producer told PTI.

"Looking at the audience response and sponsors interest here, we are certain to make JLF an annual event in Houston," he added.

Festival director Namita Gokhale said that in its first edition, the festival brought in the spirit of Jaipur and shared stories from around the world.

"We celebrate the arts, listen in to writers and thinkers, and investigate and interrogate our ever-changing planet.

"From the personal to the political, from myth and memory to the poetic imagination, from the fictional leap to dreams and dystopias, from the genetics of health to a conspiracy of bones, we welcome all to a weekend of journeys across time and place, language and culture, subjects and situations," Gokhale said.

Among the authors who participated in the JLF Houston included acclaimed writer and politician Shashi Tharoor, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh and Shobha Rao, and Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna.

Indo-American authors, including Chitra Divakaruni from the city, Milan Vaishnav, Rajesh Parameshwaran and Australian Sharad Paul also shared the stage with them.

Apart from them, American authors Mimi Swartz, Roberto Tejada and Kathy Reichs, Nigerian author Novuyo Rosa Tshuma and Pakistani-origin Anis Shivani also featured in the interactive sessions, they said.

Tharoor shared the stage with Gokhale and discussed topics related to his latest book: "Why I am a Hindu."