The Banaras Literary Festival or Kashi Sahitya Kala Utsav is all set to begin from February 10 to celebrate the rich literary culture of the ancient city of Varanasi. The three-day cultural celebration (February 10-12) promises an amalgamation of literary luminaries, artists, critics, storytellers, poets, musicians, dramatists and intellectuals from diverse disciplines, music, theatre, cinema, fine arts and the media. According to the organisers, there will be a special session in memory of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee. Renowned figures such as Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjan, actor Ashutosh Rana, artist and writer Abid Surti, poet Alok Dhanwa, Sahitya Akademi awardee Arun Kamal, Dr Vinay Kumar, Prem Kumar Mani, Uday Prakash, Badri Narayan and Udaya Narayan Singh will grace the event. The Banaras Lit Fest 2024 will feature engaging sessions such as Kavi Sammelan - Mushaira, poetry reading, Batkahi, book discussions, theatre performances and meet-the-author sessions. The grand opening ceremony on February 10 at the Rudraksha Convention Centre at Sigra in Varanasi will set the stage for a literary and artistic extravaganza. The festival, dedicated to the cultural richness of Varanasi and broader literary concerns, has gained national importance since its inception. The chairman of the literary festival, Deepak Madhok, shared the festival's themes this time: ‘Kashi Tumhe Naman’, ‘Vishwa Bhasha Ke Roop Mein Hindi’, ‘Vishwa Ekatva Ka Mool (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Prithvi Parivar)’, and said they will explore literature, democracy and nationalism. "It (Banaras Lit Fest 2024) promises a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees. The festival aims to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich literary and artistic tradition of Varanasi,” said Madhok. Notable personalities such as Akhilesh, Shailendra Sagar, Santosh Singh, Yatindra Mishra, Awadhesh Pradhan, Vyomesh Shukla, O P Singh, Ashutosh Kumar Thakur and many others will participate in various sessions. English writers and journalists, including Ghazala Wahab, Utpal Kumar, Banibrata Mahanta, Atul K Thakur and Omair Ahmed, will also be a part of this literary celebration. Special segments like ‘Talk on Pranab’ will feature Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, discussing her book ‘Pranab My Father: A Daughter Remembers’. Brijesh Singh, the Festival Director, shared that the first edition of the festival, Banaras Lit Fest: Kashi Sahitya Kala Utsav, held on February 11 and 12, 2023, at Swatantrata Bhawan of the Banaras Hindu University, received overwhelming support from literature and art enthusiasts in Varanasi, India and beyond. “The upcoming second edition is made possible by the continued goodwill and expectations from our supporters,” Singh said. The festival's diverse programmes include book discussions with Prof Rana P B Singh, Dr Anand Singh, Rajshekhar Basu, Neeta Kumar, and Pradeep Narayan Singh. Meanwhile, Padmashree Rajeshwar Acharya, Dr Nagendra Pandey, Dr Ramsundar Singh and Acharya Chandramouli Upadhyay have also extended their best wishes to the event. On February 12, the Gomati Devi Excellence Award will be conferred upon seven individuals for their significant contributions in various fields and 11 others will receive the Nav Bharat Sarjak Samman. Pramod Pandey, coordinator of Banaras Lit Fest, emphasises, "Varanasi is the organizer. Amidst parties, politics, leaders, and diverse events, ours event stands out as an interactive occasion, fostering complete creativity and establishing an authentic platform for meaningful dialogue. This uniqueness sets it apart in the realm of literary events, both nationally and internationally.” He added, "The Banaras Lit Fest is not just an event; it is a celebration of creativity, dialogue and the rich cultural sphere of Varanasi. As the literary world converges in this ancient city, the festival promises to be a unique and authentic platform for meaningful conversations.”
