CHANDIGARH SAHITYA AKADEMI ANNUAL ROUND-UP
The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi (CSA) held an impressive function at the Govt Museum auditorium in Sector 10, on 24th April, 2009. The event comprised a Round-Up of the Akademi’s activities during 2008-09, a Book Release Event, and a Poetry Session. Mr Pradip Mehra, Adviser to the Administrator, presided over the proceedings which were attended by a highly appreciative audience in a hall packed to its capacity.
Prof Manju Jaidka, Chairperson, CSA, made a power-point presentation listing all the activities held during the past year. These included Creative Writing Workshops, Kavi Sammelans, Book Readings, Panel Discussions, Quiz Contests, Literary Discussions, Lectures and Symposia. The CSA has been actively engaged in reaching out to a cross-section of people, involving them in all its events. Highlighting major events of the coming year, Prof Jaidka urged the audience to join the CSA’s efforts in adding vibrancy to the intellectual atmosphere of the city. An illustrated brochure, “Round-Up 2008-2009”, listing the main achievements of the Akademi was presented to Mr Mehra.
The function also marked the release of four anthologies published by the CSA, two in Hindi and two in Punjabi. These anthologies showcase the talent of writers from Chandigarh, compiling their short stories and poems. Their publication is the result of the dedicated effort of a team of editors headed by Dr DS Gupt. In the forthcoming session the CSA proposes to bring out poetry /short story anthologies in English.
The final event of the day, chaired by Principal Dr Harinderjit Kaur, was aptly called “A Gathering of Nightingales”. It brought together a dozen women writers who recited their poems in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. A senior poet, Taaran Gujral, in particular, went down extremely well with the audience with her poem on “Titli”. Other women poets who recited their poems included Roopa Saba, Yojana Rawat, Gurdeep Kaur “Gul” and Gurminder Sidhu.
Compered with great dexterity by Mr Madhav Kaushik, Secretary, CSA, and Ms Suchitra, the function was an extremely successful event, rich and satisfying. The audience was highly appreciative of the Round-Up. In fact many of them were heard commenting that such an event made history, being the first of its kind in Chandigarh. The Chief Guest, Mr Mehra, complimented the CSA’s effort to make a difference to the culture of the City and expressed his hope that in the coming years this would be not just a beautiful city built of brick and mortar, but a place where literature, culture and art flourish in abundance.
The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi (CSA) held an impressive function at the Govt Museum auditorium in Sector 10, on 24th April, 2009. The event comprised a Round-Up of the Akademi’s activities during 2008-09, a Book Release Event, and a Poetry Session. Mr Pradip Mehra, Adviser to the Administrator, presided over the proceedings which were attended by a highly appreciative audience in a hall packed to its capacity.
Prof Manju Jaidka, Chairperson, CSA, made a power-point presentation listing all the activities held during the past year. These included Creative Writing Workshops, Kavi Sammelans, Book Readings, Panel Discussions, Quiz Contests, Literary Discussions, Lectures and Symposia. The CSA has been actively engaged in reaching out to a cross-section of people, involving them in all its events. Highlighting major events of the coming year, Prof Jaidka urged the audience to join the CSA’s efforts in adding vibrancy to the intellectual atmosphere of the city. An illustrated brochure, “Round-Up 2008-2009”, listing the main achievements of the Akademi was presented to Mr Mehra.
The function also marked the release of four anthologies published by the CSA, two in Hindi and two in Punjabi. These anthologies showcase the talent of writers from Chandigarh, compiling their short stories and poems. Their publication is the result of the dedicated effort of a team of editors headed by Dr DS Gupt. In the forthcoming session the CSA proposes to bring out poetry /short story anthologies in English.
The final event of the day, chaired by Principal Dr Harinderjit Kaur, was aptly called “A Gathering of Nightingales”. It brought together a dozen women writers who recited their poems in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. A senior poet, Taaran Gujral, in particular, went down extremely well with the audience with her poem on “Titli”. Other women poets who recited their poems included Roopa Saba, Yojana Rawat, Gurdeep Kaur “Gul” and Gurminder Sidhu.
Compered with great dexterity by Mr Madhav Kaushik, Secretary, CSA, and Ms Suchitra, the function was an extremely successful event, rich and satisfying. The audience was highly appreciative of the Round-Up. In fact many of them were heard commenting that such an event made history, being the first of its kind in Chandigarh. The Chief Guest, Mr Mehra, complimented the CSA’s effort to make a difference to the culture of the City and expressed his hope that in the coming years this would be not just a beautiful city built of brick and mortar, but a place where literature, culture and art flourish in abundance.
