3 min readPatnaMar 16, 2023 10:19 PM IST
First published on: Mar 16, 2023 at 04:18 PM IST
Bihar is all set to hold its first-ever literary festival ‘Ahad Anhad — A festival of words and performances’ at Bihar Museum from Friday. The three-day festival will see participation from over two dozen authors, poets, economists and artistes, including Jatin Das, Raghu Rai, Lord Meghnad Desai, Alok Dhanwa, Arun Kamal, Usha Kiran Khan, Tripurari Sharan, Alakh N Sharma and Ajit Pradhan.
The festival would discuss migration, economics of development and social cohesion besides various shades of literature. Author of ‘Idea of Revolution, A biography of Jayaprakash Narayan’ and festival director Sujata Prasad said: “Ahad Anhad is more than a literature festival. It is a quest to speak up for the creative imagination in an increasingly cynical world and to question the binaries between the cosmopolitan and the provincial. We are bringing together a bevy of English and Hindi writers. At the core of Ahad Anhad is the idea to champion freedom of expression and to present inclusive yet diverse ideas in words as well as performances.”
Prasad added that the logo of the event incorporated Islamic calligraphy, signifying the intent of Ahad Anhad. “The circle reflects divine presence and the pen corresponds to the point of arrival, reflecting the essence of the intellect,” she said.
The session would open with a speech of renowned photographer Raghu Rai besides introductory addresses by cardiologist Ajit Pradhan, economist Alakh N Sharma and author Sujata Prasad. Ace painter Jatin Das’s works would define the theme of the event. Some leading artists would also celebrate works of Amir Khusrau, Mir Taqi Mir, Mirza Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
The second day of the literary festival would begin with a discussion on literary thinking by writers Rishikesh Sulabh, Vandana Raag, Milee Aishwarya, Prakash Uday, Rakesh Manjul and Ravindra Bharti and Vinod Anupam. Leading journalist Urmilesh will discuss a wider context of Ashutosh Bhardwaj’s book ‘Mrityu Katha’ on moving tales on Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh.
Noted Hindi writer Praveen Kumar will discuss his book, Amar Deswa, which deals with the impact of Covid on society, with writer Geeta Shree. Columnist Atul K Thakur will discuss “unspooling stories from Bihar” with poet-diplomat Abhay K, Outlook editor Chinki Sinha and The Indian Express’ senior assistant editor and author Santosh Singh.
Singh’s book, ‘Kitna Raj Kitna Kaj — Lalu-Nitish Ka Bihar’ would also be launched by Vani Prakashan’s executive director Aditi Maheshwari Goyal.
Litterateur Shquipe Malushi would recite and discuss war poems with writer Savita Jha. Meanwhile, renowned Maithili writer Usha Kiran Khan will discuss her life story. In another session, filmmaker Saeed Mirza would be in conversation with bureaucrat Tripurari Sharan and educationist Shah Alam Khan on ‘psychology of creative depiction’.
Amrita Datta would discuss migration with the author of ‘Community Warriors’ on migration. Folk tales from Bollywood would also be discussed. Leading economist Lord Meghnad Desai will discuss ‘how economics abandoned the poor’ with economist Alakh N Sharma and writer Tripurdaman Singh.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Feroze Varun Gandhi would speak on “rural manifesto and urban spaces”.
At the core of Ahad Anhad is the idea to champion freedom of expression and to present inclusive yet diverse ideas in words as well as performances, said festival director Sujata Prasad. (Twitter/@AhadAnhad) 
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