Summer Bonanza day 2

The Summer Bonanza organized by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi concluded this afternoon. Although the 'star' speaker of the vent, Deepti Naval the actress, failed to turn up, the remaining sessions were held successfully, much to the satisfaction of the organizers and the audience.

Manju Kapur, the celebrated writer of novels like Difficult Daughters and the recentCustody, held the listeners riveted to a scintillating conversation with the vivacious Aradhika Sharma who quizzed her about her books, her likes and dislikes, and her work habits. Ms Kapur read excerpts from one of her books and explained how her books are committed to women's issues.

A panel discussion on "Literature in a Globalized Context" brought together four eminent writers /scholars in an animated discussion with Madhav Kaushik and Manju Jaidka. Prof Harish Narang, speaking on the subject, drew attention to web literature, thanks to which the total concept of literature in contemporary times

has undergone a change. Prof Alok bhalla joined the discussion with a reference to the need for emerging from provincial chauvinism that gnaws into the vitals of our society. Anirudh Joshi struck a different note and mentioned that there are unignorable pockets of society untouched by computers or by the internet. Atamjit gave examples from Punjabi literature, stressing on the need for translation. All these views were rounded off deftly by the secretary of CSA, Madhav Kaushik.

The session was followed by the Annual Round-Up of the activities of the CSA and saw the release of a illustrated brochure recording the events and landmarks of the year that has ended. Prizes for printed books were given to four city writers who had submitted their books for the competition. Narinder Pal Singh Komal received the prize for Punjabi fiction, Manoj Tiwari for his Hindi novel. The prize for Hindi Poetry went to Rajendra Nishesh, and for Hindi Short Stories to Jaswinder Sharma.

The Round-Up marked the culmination of the year's activities and ended with the audience praising the effort

s of the CSA, appreciating its role in bringing zest to the intellectual life of Chandigarh.

Pictures of the event online:

https://picasaweb.google.com/sahitakad2008/SummerBonanza2?authkey=Gv1sRgCNmI7ozy-5nZZA#

Day 1- Summer Bonanza

Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi is holding a Summer Bonanza at the UT Guest House. Sessions spread over two days include a panel discussion, creativity sessions, meet-the-author events, a commemorative session on Shiv Batalvi to mark his death anniversary, and the annual round-up of the CSA

Today's events began with a session devoted to Shiv Kumar Batalvi. Dr Yograj Angrish, who teaches Punjabi at the Panjab University, spoke on the contribution of the talented poet to Panjabi literature. the session was chaired by Shri CR Maudgil who has headed the Punjabi Sahitya Akademi of Haryana. The audience took an active part in the discussion that followed, with several people reminiscing their personal experiences with Batalvi.

In another session, the Oriya writer, JP Das, who has had an illustrious career and received several notable awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award, spoke of his works -- poetry, plays, fiction and translation -- in conversation with the Academic and critic GK Das.

Vishvjit Singh, who hails from the royal family of Kapurthala and has been a member of the Indian parliament, is also a sensitive writer and has recently published his Hindi poetry, "Kuchh Shabd Kuchh Lakeerein". He was in conversation with Nirupama Dutt in a Face-to-Face session. Raj Chengappa, Editor in Chief of The Tribune, chaired the session.

The final session of the day unfolded creativity and brought together invited and local writers who made brief presentations of their writing. Harish Narang and Alok Bhalla, better known for their critical and academic work, are also skilled translators and creative writers. While Narang read a short story, Bhalla read some powerful poems based on his experience of Jerusalem. Other poets who read their poems in the session included Vijay Kapoor, Roshan Sharma, Gurpreet Kaur, Geetanjali Bhagat, Aradhika Sharma, and Reenu Talwar.

On the second day of the Bonanza, i.e., the 8th of May, the noted writer Manju Kapur will be in conversation with Aradhika Sharma. There will be a panel discussion on Literature in a Globalized Context. This will be followed by the grand finale of the Bonanza, the Annual Round-Up of the CSA's activities in 2010-2011.

Photos of the event: https://picasaweb.google.com/sahitakad2008/SummerBonanza1?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWDv-2Snof6-QE#

Amber Habshi

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi today held a play reading at the CSA Auditorium in Sector 34.

Dr Narendra Mohan, has been a professor of Hindi and is a well-known name in literary circles. He read from his new play, “Amber Habshi” to a select gathering of literature and theatre lovers. He has published several plays which have been translated into different languages and performed to great acclaim. Dr Mohan's reading was in tandem with the theatre thespian Prof Harish Bhatia who also read portions of the play.

The eponymous hero of the play, Malik Amber, was a historical figure born in Ethiopia, sold into slavery in Baghdad. His master, Mir Qasim brought him to Ahmednagar. Later Amber rose to the post of the Prime Minister of the Deccan Empire under Ahmed Shahi and fought against the Moghuls. He was secular in his outlook and considered himself a staunch Indian.

Madhav Kaushik, Secretary of the CSA compered the event. The Chairperson, Manju Jaidka, also addressed the gqathering and expressed her appreciation of the playwright. Further, she announced that a major CSA event is round the corner. On the 7^th and 8^th of May CSA will hold a “Summer Bonanza” in which several noted litterateurs will participate. Details will be posted on CSA's Facebook and Blog.

April 9, 2011. Goshti

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi today held its monthly Goshti at its Mini-Auditorium in Sector 34. Altogether 19 poets, young and old, participated in the event which brought together several literature enthusiasts. Some of the participants in the Goshti were debut poets who came to the stage for the first time while others were veterans in the field.

Diljit Singh Kaiffy's book comprising paintings and poetry, entitled "Poornima" was released by Dr Atamjit who praised the young artist-poet's endeavor. Other poets whose poems were highly appreciated included Puneeta Bawa, Narinder Thakur, Anil Kumar, Geetanjali Bhagat, Reena Talwar and Aradhika Sharma.

Today's event was tri-lingual. It was part of the Akademi's venture to promote literature in the city, to bring people back to the love of the book, and to encourage a bonhomie amongst the established and emerging writers of Chandigarh who usually tend to work in isolation. These events have become popular of late and several participants flock to the city from other places to attend CSA's events. This evening one of the participants, Vivek Sachdeva, had come from Delhi especially to take part in the Goshti.

The next event of the CSA s a play-reading by Narendra Mohan on 16th April, again at the CSA's Audtorium. The title of the play is "Ambar Habshi" and the reading will begin at 4pm.

Thereafter, on 7th and 8th of May, a bigger event, the "Summer Bonanza" will be held at the UT Guest House. It will bring together several noted personalities, poets and writers, including
Deepti Naval and Manju Kapur. Further details will be circulated on CSA's Facebook and Blog.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100000212495273&aid=68206

Sharyar and Sheen Kaaf Nizam

CHANDIGARH HERITAGE WEEK

The Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi organized a two-tiered interactive event with well-known personalities under the auspices of the Third Chandigarh Heritage Festival. The venue was the UT Guest House where the Akademi has been holding many of its events over the last three years. Whereas in the last two Heritage Festivals the CSA invited writers in English and Hindi, this time the focus was on Punjabi and Urdu.

In the first session the Akademi show-cased the work of two local celebrities, Neelam Man Singh Chowdhary and Atamjit, both very well-known and popular in the city. Neelam has recently been awarded a Padmashri by the President of India and Atamjit is the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. While the latter writes play in Punjabi, Neelam has been staging plays in Punjabi. Both have received accolades at home and abroad and Chandigarh is proud to acknowledge them among its eminent citizens. This morning they were in conversation with an interested audience about their work and achievements. Interacting with them were well-known theatre, literature and art persons like Kamal Arora, Indu Bali, Seema Bhalla, Meera Malik and Mina Surjit Singh.

The post-lunch session focused on Urdu Shayari. Invited speakers were again well-known names: Shahryar and Sheen Kaaf Nizam. Shahryar, who is formally called Dr. Akhlaq Mohammed Khan is a doyen of Urdu poetry, best known for the lyrics he penned for films like Gaman and Umrao Jaan. He is from Aligarh and has taught at Aligarh Muslim University. He was awarded the 1987 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for his poetry collection, Khwab Ka Dar Band Hai(1987). He became the fourth Jnanpith winner in Urdu

Sheen Kaaf Nizam hails from Jodhpur. He is an Urdu poet and critic. He has published 'Lamhon kee Saleeb', 'Dasht mein Dariya', 'Naad', 'Saya koi Lamba na Tha', 'Bayazein Kho Gayi Hai' and many other collections and anthologies. He has edited many Devnagari volumes of poets besides editing Deewan-e-Ghalib and Deewan-e-Mir. He has been honoured with many prizes including the Iqbal Samman, Bhasha Bharti Samman, the Urdu Akademi Award and the Begum Akhtar award. He has won the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in December 2010.

In his soft-spoken way Shahryar recited his poems to a receptive gathering while Sheen Kaaf Nizam's forceful nazms and ghazals disarmed the audience completely. There was a lively interaction with the audience moderated by Madhav Kaushik, the Secretary of the CSA.

Prof Manju Jaidka, Chairperson of CSA, who earlier welcomed the speakers, gave a brief overview of the Akademi's activities. She announced that in the coming months the CSA would have its annual Round-Up, disburse awards for published manuscripts (now under consideration), invite fresh contributions, release new publications, and also organize a "Summer Bonanza" involving local and outstation writers. Also present and supporting the event was the Vice-Chairperson of CSA, Simar Onkar. Today's function was attended by a large and appreciative audience.

https://picasaweb.google.com/sahitakad2008/HeritageFest27Mar2011#

Heritage week, 2011

During the coming Heritage week Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi will organize an interface with selected writers / artists. Details are given below. Do attend.

Date: 27 March 2011

Venue: UT Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh

INTERFACE WITH LOCAL CELEBRITIES:
Time: 10.45 AM to 1 PM

Neelam Man Singh Chowdhary
Atamjit

FACE TO FACE WITH INVITED URDU POETS:

Time: 2PM to 4PM
Shahryar
Sheen Kaaf Nizam

Goshti (English)

CHANDIGARH SAHITYA AKADEMI today organized a Writers Goshti bringing together city poets and writers of short fiction who compose in English. This is the first time the Akademi has brought together creative writers in English. Earlier Goshtis have focused on writers from Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

City residents who write in English are generally shy of coming into the limelight with their compositions.

This evening, however, the CSA provided a forum to ten such creative writers at the CSA auditorium in the State Library of Sector 34. A short but sweet program saw the recitation of poems on diverse subjects ranging from spirituality to worldliness, from divinity to humanity, from serious and somber poetry to the satirical. Those who read their poems / short stories included Vandana Shukla, a well-known name in art and literary circles of Chandigarh, and SS Bhatti who is an architect-poet. Jasbir Soin who is a member of the present CSA, read her poems along with Maninder Bains, Lalita Jagmohan, Nidheesh Tyagi, Renee Singh and Chander Bhargava. Suneeta Pattanayak, who teaches in DAV College, Chandigarh, read a short prose piece, as did Suparna Puri. Chairperson of the Akademi, Manju Jaidka, presented a humorous poem on cyber love.

The CSA will hold its next event on 27th March, in the UT Guest House, during the Heritage Festival of Chandigarh Administration. Details will be announced over its Blog and Facebook.

It may also be mentioned that the CSA has invited submission of printed books for Publication Awards. Writers residing or working in Chandigarh may submit printed books in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, or English (Poetry, Fiction, Plays) published in 2009 or 2010 to the CSA office. Details are available on Facebook and Blog. Deadline for submissions is 15th of March 2011.

Pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/s

ahitakad2008/GoshtiEnglish5march2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyWn5Kj5tPXxgE#