More literature fests for the city, please

On a high after attending a recent literature festival in the city, our sutradhaars wish that their favourite place be the setting for more events around all things literature

Well, look what we have here! Little wonder you wanted me to see it ‘with my own eyes’,” Lady Flora exclaimed at the sight that was in front of her. Sir PM was surrounded with a pile of new books in the courtyard of St Thomas Cathedral. “Pheroze, that’s quite a collection that you’ve picked up; are you relooking at your bookshelf? I am mighty impressed with the range–everything from TS Elliot to Ambedkar to Hemmingway.”

Sir PM beamed; his friend’s approval meant the world to him. “I got quite carried away. There is this literature festival that’s underway in the city; so, I decided to head there, attend a few sessions, and re-acquaint myself with the world of books. Viegas was going gaga about it all of yesterday. I was sorely missing this universe, especially now, since it’s so easy for city worriers like us to lose out on these small joys of life.” Anything to do with the world of literature was enough to pique Lady Flora’s brain, “And how long is this going to continue? Do you think you would like to return, assuming we can make a quick dash?”

Sir PM’s eyes widened once again. “Of course, My Lady. I’ll meet you in the morning near the reclamation, and we’ll make plans as the day rolls on?” By Sunday night, both friends were seated at the Cathedral with their “loot” as Sir PM had called it. They had gone berserk, and had returned with a huge collection. “Pheroze that was quite an experience—to attend sessions, move around literary circles, overhear gupshup, and yes, buy countless books spanning genres. It was such an immersive experience. Thank you for the experience.” Sir PM was happy; his day was made.

“We are starved of such stimulating sessions around the world of words, so much that when these events happen, it feels extra wonderful,” shared Sir PM. He was clearly enjoying flipping through the pages of his new finds. “Tell me, Pheroze…if I am not mistaken, is this the only full-fledged festival in the city that is centred on literature? Yes, there is the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, where literature forms a huge part of the programme, and that’s about it, right? I find that surprising in a big city like ours. More needs to be done…” Lady Flora trailed off. “Absolutely. It’s a city of discerning readers; people are up to speed with goings-on in the literary world in conversations that I tend to overhear, from my pedestal, of course, and yet I feel enough isn’t happening. See, Bombaywallahs might be busy with their commutes, and hectic routines, but will always support books, and this will trickle down to their children as well. An ecosystem needs to be fueled with year-long activities and mini-festivals to become a robust one. And it isn’t only about festivals around books. In general, I sense that reading spaces in the city—be it libraries or bookstores, or even one-off big book sales that were quite popular a few decades earlier, are insufficient,” Sir PM opined, adding, “Even with the festival that we just visited, I wish it could have been of a longer duration so more people could have come by, and if there were more venues in other parts of the city, so larger numbers could have benefitted from it. I understand it must be a logistical and financial challenge to host even this big an affair, but perhaps it’s something that we can consider in the coming years.”

Lady Flora was beginning to understand what was amiss. “Yes, round-the-year events would be lovely in our city. These can continue even in the torrid monsoon, since you can head indoors, into one of our lovely bookstores. Then again, I feel those are far too few for this population. You want to know what my secret wish is? To have an independent bookstore festival that covers all the indie spaces that promote reading. Oh, Pheroze! How I wish large-hearted philanthropists in this city would decide to back the idea to promote books in a bigger way.”

Sir PM’s eyes widened, “I fully agree. I was sad as we left the venue. I actually began to count down to the next big literary event – which will be early next year, for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival . We must definitely look at ways to fill this void; to keep the Bombay reader gripped and gung-ho about a vibrant ecosystem that survives and thrives on books beyond it being just the odd annual, or two-even spectacle for a city.”

Both friends continued to exchange notes on their purchases from that day. But the biggest realisation that emerged from that conversation was that one big literature festival is not enough. The city surely deserves better after having given the world so much to write about its rich legacy, vibrant chaos, multi-hued character, unique identity and yes, its cosmopolitanism. 

mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana

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