ANTHOLOGY IN THE MAKING!

CHANDIGARH SAHITYA AKADEMI PROPOSES TO COMPILE A SELECTION OF POEMS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH

Writers working or residing n Chandigarh may submit up to five poems (not exceeding 5 printed pages in all) and / or one short story along with a brief CV. Poems and stories should relate to the culture and milieu of Chandigarh. Submissions should be certified as original and unpublished.

Deadline: 31st July 2009

respond to:
sahityaakad2008@gmail.com
or
mjaidka@gmail.com

MITTER SAIN MEET

RU-BA-RU
with

MITTER SAIN MEET
Sahitya Akademi Award-Winner 2009 (Punjabi)

Chaired by: Prof. Ramesh Kuntal Megh

Date: Sunday, 7 June 2009

Time: 11.00 AM

Mr. Mitter Sain Meet was invited by the Aakdemi for a Face-to-Face programme. In his deliberations Mr. Sain declared that he had started his Journey in the literary world by writing Short-Stories but later on switched over to novels. His latest Novel is SUDHAR GHAR. The earlier novels are Ag De Beej (1971), Taphthish (1990), Katehra(1993), and Kaurav Sabha (2003). Mitter Sain Meet is bold in his attempt to expose corruption in high places. He works as a Public Prosecutor in Ludhiana and knows the ins and outs of the Judicial system.

Dr. D.S. Gupt, Vice-Chairman of the Akademi, welcomed and introduced the writer. Eminent critic, Dr. Ramesh Kuntal Megh, presided over the function and highlighted the achievements of Mr. Meet. Shri Sham Singh another Punjabi writer and member of the Akademi proposed a vote of thanks. Chairperson Prof. Manju Jaidka honoured Mr. Meet & Dr. Megh, gifting to each a set of books recently published by the Akademi.

Fellowships

One of the objectives of the CSA is to encourage talent, especially among the younger generation. Keeping this in view, a promising writer of the city has been nominated for fellowship / travel grant to attend a Writer's Workshop in Pune.

Susheel Kumar a budding writer, will be attending a week-long Writer's Camp at Pune. The Camp is being organized by India Inter-continental C Association/ Writers Club International and Pragati Mitra Mandal Mumbai.

Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi will be supporting his participation.

Shiv Batalvi

Chandigarh, May 6
On his 36th death anniversary, the legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi was paid rich musical tributes by admirers and artistes in a musical soiree organised by Chandigarh Sahitya Akademy. Old associates and young artistes recited his poems and spoke eloquently in his praise. Taran Gujral, Gurdev Singh from England and Govardhan Gabbi presented ghazals of Shiv. Choreography on the poet’s songs by Wamiqa Gabbi and Chandni was well received. CSA vice-chairman DS Gupt honoured the artistes.

ANNUAL ROUND-UP

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.

Round-Up and More!

MEET THE WRITERS

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.