As the Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest rounds the corner, Avril-Ann Braganza lists the must-look-out-for events this year
It’s that time of the year again when writers, poets and literature addicts gather for Mumbai’s very own literary event – Tata Literature Live! The LitFest kicks off this week.
The four-day festival beginning Thursday, November 17, will be held at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Nariman Point, and at Prithivi Theatre, Juhu. In its seventh edition, the festival has several new elements, including a Shakespeare Debate and a literary quiz.
The festival – with more than 120 writers, poets, performers, authors, historians and others from England, Israel, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Ireland and Italy – comprises panel discussions, workshops, performances and awards. For the first time, an award has been instituted for a much neglected section of literary awareness – children's literature. There is the Big Little Book Award, initiated by PARAG, an initiative of Tata Trusts.
Whether you’re in school, simply young at heart, or an experienced literary wizard, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a slice of what to expect at this year’s edition.
Venue and timings are subject to change. Check the festival website for the latest updates:
www.litlive.in
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony will be followed by the launch of Shashi Tharoor’s A Long Darkness: The British Empire in India. The author will be in conversation with Amitav Ghosh about the legacy of the Raj.
When: Thursday, November 17; 2-3pm
Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA
Panel discussion
The verse case scenario: Should songwriters be considered poets?
Panelists: Martin Amis, Prasoon Joshi, Simon Armitage
Chair: Paromita Vohra
When: Thursday, November 17; 5-6pm
Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA
Debate
India and Pakistan can never be friends
For the motion: Mahroof Raza and Shiv Kunal Verma. Against the motion: Shashi Tharoor and Pavan Varma. Chair: Vir Sanghvi
When: Thursday, November 17; 8-9.30pm
Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA
Performances
Going Viral
Going Viral is a show that explores the spread of disease of ideas and of panic.
When: Friday, November 18, 6:30-7:30pm
Where: Sunken Garde, NCPA
When: Saturday, November 19; 9-10:30pm
Where: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu
Mada's Marvels featuring Cardistry
An interactive performance that ensures there’s only one word on everyone’s mind... magic!
When: Friday, November 18; 8-9pm
Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
A script waiting in a sealed envelope on stage. No rehearsal, no director, a different actor each night, and It’s the World Premiere of the Hindi version performed by Anurag Kashyap.
When: Sunday, November 20; 5-6pm
Where: Godrej Theatre, NCPA
Conversation
Backstage Boy
Sam Cutler talks to Karsh Kale about managing the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead.
When: Sunday, November 20; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Prithvi Theatre, Juhu
Workshops
Tales of Horror
Writing spine-chilling stories by Darryl Jones
When: Friday, November 18; 4-6:30pm
Where: Sea View Room, NCPA
How To Draw Everything
Reading an Illustrated Story by Gillian Johnson (exclusively for children aged 9-12)
When: Saturday, November 19; 11-1pm
Where: Easel Art Hub, near Prithvi Theatre
Special events
Shakespeare debate: The Greatness of Shakespeare in his language
For the motion: Alyque Padamsee, Suhel Seth.
Against the motion: Carlos Gamerro, Simon Choa-Johnston. Chair: Soumya Bhattacharya
When: Sunday, November 20; 12-1pm
Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA
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