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Journalism of Courage
It was an absorbing session for the literati of the city,as the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi had writers Susan Morgan,Eric Goodman and Chandigarh-based Vivek Atray talk about various aspects of their work and inspirations. Morgan,who is a distinguished professor of English at Miami University,Oxford,Ohio,has published widely and travelled across the globe on academic visits. During the course of her travels she was fascinated by the story of English travel writer and social activist Anna Leonowens,who has been immortalised in the Yul Brynner film The King and I. Probing deep into the available resources,Morgan discovered new information on Anna that has eluded researchers for years. These findings were published in her book titled Bombay Anna.
In her talk,Morgan went into the details of Annas life and her adventures across the globe,from the UK to India,Australia,Thailand,America and Canada. Her stint as governess of the children of the King of Siam has been recorded in the iconic film Anna and the King,which became the main source of information on Siam and its people. Anna Leonowens travelled all over the world and became a well-known travel writer,journalist,teacher and lecturer, said Morgan,talking about the fascinating journey of her research,which gave birth to the riveting biography.
Eric Goodman,professor of creative writing and novelist,discussed the challenges of writing about race and the unspoken and sometimes unsavory secrets of our hearts. His fifth novel Twelfth and Race,from which he read excerpts,speaks of the story of a mixed-race couple,Richard Gordon and LaTisha Nelson,set against the backdrop of race riots in a fictional Midwestern metropolis,Calhoun City,Missouri. The novel published in early March has been receiving enthusiastic reviews and Goodman agreed it was an emotional journey.
Vivek Atray,author of Move on Bunny,made a powerpoint presentation highlighting the life and achievements of Charles Dickens,who was born 200 years ago and continues to be a great favourite among readers of all ages. For many in the audience,it was a chance to share their own experience of Dickens magic.
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