Welsh, Coetzee, Pamuk to grace Jaipur Literature Festival

Literature enthusiasts can rejoice as the sixth edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival opens its doors on January 21st at Jaipur’s Diggi Palace.

Some of the most renowned names in the world of English writing, such as JM Coetzee, Irvine Welsh, Orhan Pamuk, Chimamanda Adichie have confirmed their participation.

Over the last few years, the festival has become one of most popular cultural gatherings in Asia, hosting over 20,000 delegates over the five-day long event.

The attendance is expected to rise in its forthcoming edition, as a wide range of debates, discussions, readings, literary lunches, music and workshops, even for children are in store.

Over 210 authors from across the globe will attend the event.

Some of these include Atiq Rahimi, Candace Bushnell, Javed Akhtar, Jay McInerney, Jon Lee Anderson, Jung Chang, Junot Diaz, Kamilla Shamsie, Kiran Desai, Mamang Dai, Martin Amis, Patrick French, Richard Ford, Rory Stewart, Shehan, Sheldon Pollock and Vikram Seth.

Namita Gokhale, festival co-director, said that a variety of themes would be touched upon through participation of authors and audience.

“Besides, a special focus on writing from the Northeast, we’re also expecting discussions on writers from China. There’s also an important session on the Ramayana, besides discussions on literature from regions of conflict such as Israel-Palestine and Kashmir,” she said, speaking to DNA.

Every year, regional language authors at the festival claim to feel side-lined because the interest levels are much higher for international names, but Gokhale says that’s not true. “There is no festival in India which has done as much as JLF has done for regional authors. For the forthcoming edition, we’ve kept sessions on about 12 Indian languages, with a major focus on Hindi , including Hindi blogging.”

William Dalrymple, festival co-director, said, “When I see the amazing list of names we have assembled this year I almost have to restrain myself from hugging myself with pleasure and amazement: the world’s very greatest writers are assembling in Jaipur at the end of January and my only anxiety is how are we ever going to match this!”

As is the tradition, entry to the festival will free for the general public. Every evening they can feast their senses to a wide variety of music from across the world.