3-day ‘bookies’ delight at Jayamahal Palace

The much awaited Bangalore’s own Namma literature festival is set to kick off this evening at Jayamahal Palace. The inaugural session of the three-day litfest would be a discussion on the craft of poetry by acclaimed poet Gulzar and writer and Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan Varma.

This will be followed by a crossfire session with author Chetan Bhagat. The evening would conclude with a cultural performance by Jayanthi Kumaresh on the veena and Vidwan R Kumaresh on the violin.

Other literary bigwigs who would be talking on the second and third days include Shehan Karunatilaka, Tarquin Hall, Shashi Deshpande, Jahnavi Barua, Jaishree Misra, Banu Mushtaq, Amish Tripathi, UR Ananthamurthy, Shobhaa De and Sir Mark Tully.

On Saturday, columnist Tavleen Singh would be releasing her book titled Durbar. And on Sunday, Akash Banerjee would release his book Tales from Shining and Sinking India along with Shobhaa De who would be launching her latest book, Sethji’. The book launch will be followed by a discussion with Sunil Sethi.

On Thursday evening, the BLF hosted the launch of John D Balian’s Gray Wolves and White Doves, a gripping coming of age tale of an Armenian boy who faces relentless persecution in Turkey and Jerusalem. The novel is more a personal account of the experiences of the author than fiction. The book was launched by former Indian ambassador to China and France, CV Ranganathan. Acclaimed writer Jahnavi Barua and brand expert Harish Bijoor were in conversation with the writer.