As part of the Chandigarh Arts and Heritage Festival being held by the UT Administration, the Chadnigarh Sahitya Akademi organized a "Meet the Writers" event at the Govt. Arts Museum Auditorium today. Two very well-known writers were brought in from Delhi --Githa Hariharan and Manjula Padmanabhan. They read from their recent works and interacted with the audience over a question and answer session. The event was chaired by Prof M.L. Raina, a well-known and well-loved intellectual from the city.
In conversation with Manjula Padmanabhan was Prof Gulshan Rai Kataria from Punjabi University, Patiala. He introduced the writer to the audience, outlined he main contribution to literature, and asked her questions related to her work. Ms Padmanabhan read from her recent novel, Escape.
Likewise, Githa Hariharan was introduced by Prof Mina Surjit Singh, formerly from Panjab Univeristy, Chandigarh, who synopsized the literary achievements of Githa Hariharan, spoke briefly about the writer's earlier works, and asked her questions on her craft and ideology. Ms Hariharan read from her new book, Fugitive Histories.
The readings and the question answer session turned out to be very absorbing. After the event two writers were thronged by the audience who wanted signed copies of their books. It was evident that the event was enjoyed by one and all.
Prof Rajnish Wattas, Director of TagoreTheatre and Coordinator of the Chandigarh Heritage Program, was also present in audience.
