JLF Enthralls Houston’s Literary Palette
Manisha Koirala signs books at JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
It is quickly becoming a wonderful Houston tradition. For the second year in a row Teamwork Arts, producer of the world-famous Jaipur Literature Festival, brought to the Bayou City an iconic event of intellectual interaction that entertained and enlightened local literati on September 13th and 14th at Houston’s Asia Society Texas Center.
Founded in 2006, the JLF is an annual event held in Jaipur, India each January. Aptly described as “The Grandest Literature Festival,” JLF has experienced a spectacular growth in India. Its irrepressible founder, Sanjoy Roy, with his trade-mark shoulder-long gray hair, is an impressive figure presiding over this event. He proudly reports that, from its humble beginning with a mere 300 people in attendance, last year some 500,000 people attended over the five days of the festival. It featured several parallel tracks on fiction and non-fiction book releases, insightful interviews and provocative panel discussions on a breathtakingly wide range of subjects with ideas and issues relevant to our times presented by experts in various fields.
In response to its popularity and overwhelming demand, in recent years the organizers have started bringing the event in an abridged form to various cities in the world. Last year was the first time for Houston. Keeping with its spirit, JLF Houston 2019 was a celebration of ideas through debate and discussion of written words, with the objective of bridging the gaps in this tortured world of ours. The highlight of the first night’s opening ceremony was the keynote address by Bapsi Sidhwa, doyenne of the ethnic novel, on the journey of her literary life.
The second day was a bonanza of great presentations by wonderful writers. With the theme of “Each Other’s Stories” the speakers explored subjects like the great saint Kabir in poetry and music, a discussion of the Indian epic of Ramayana through the eyes of Sita, and a giant celestial leap to discuss the very esoteric subject of black holes and quasars.
There were other presentations on topics of great current interest that resonated very well with the audience – America’s healthcare system, and the horrors of rape. Sessions that the audience found immensely enjoyable were the very inspiring personal story of faith and courage by Bollywood actress and cancer survivor Manisha Koirala, and second an account of the workings of the infamous East India company, predecessor of the British Raj in India, narrated by historian par excellence William Dalrymple. Among the local participants were Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Debra Mouton, former Poet Laureate of Houston, and Rich Levy, director of Inprint.
While most of the rest of the world is foregoing print media, in favor of social media and electronic networking, it continues to thrive in India. As Americans watch TV, more and more Indians, especially the young people, seem to be reading. The success of JLF is a testimony to that and it makes one bullish on hope for the upcoming generations in India. From the visible vibrancy and the dynamism of its youth, any rational observer can recognize the enormous potential of India and become quite optimistic about its future. JLF is a powerful concept. Literature, like music, has a unique ability to heal and unite people. It can be a veritable spring of ideas that resonate with the thinking mind. If you are a reader or an aspiring writer, you owe it to yourself to attend the JLF.
Photos by Chris Dunn
William Dalrymple speaks at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Author Bapsi Sidhwa receives a proclamation of “Bapsi Sidhwa Day” at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Author Bapsi Sidhwa signs books at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Author Bapsi Sidhwa presents at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
His Excellency Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Ambassador of India to the United States, speaks at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Lawrence Wright and Chandrahas Choudhury in conversation in panel “God Save Texas” at JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Rekha Muddaraj and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in discussion in panel “The Forest of Enchantments” at JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Rich Levy speaks at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Sanjoy K. Roy and Manisha Koirala in conversation in the panel “The Healing” at JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Sanjoy K. Roy speaks at JLF Houston on Friday, September 13, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
Ussama Makdisi, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Mira Jacob in conversation in the panel “Migrant Wordds” at JLF Houston on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Asia Society Texas Center.
