This event, the largest Indian language literature festival, features around 300 writers from Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and English.
Published Aug 09, 2024 | 5:41 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 11, 2024 | 10:59 AM
Book Brahma Literature Festival.
With an aim to promote the rich traditions in the literature of the regional languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, the Book Brahma Literature Festival-2024 (BBLF 2024) kicked off at St John’s Hall in Koramangala in Bengaluru on 9 August and received an overwhelming response from writers and literature enthusiasts.
This event, heralded as the largest Indian language literature festival, promises to be a vibrant confluence of literary voices from across India, featuring around 300 writers from Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and English.
The three-day festival, till 11 August, is packed with over 80 panel discussions, performances, and exhibitions, making it a cultural extravaganza that celebrates the rich literary heritage of India.
The festival began with a warm welcome and keynote by Satish Chapparike, the Director of BBLF 2024, who set the tone for what promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees.
The inaugural session, titled “Tenkana Nudi Kaudi at Book Brahma Literature Festival. (Supplied)
BBLF 2024 director, Satish Chapparike, speaking to South First articulated the vision behind the festival.
“India hosts numerous literary festivals but the focus often remains on English literature, sidelining the rich traditions of Indian languages. Our festival fills this gap by providing a vibrant platform for Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam to be celebrated and discussed. This is about growing together in literature, language, and culture,” said Chapparike.
Chapparike highlighted the significant contribution of Indian languages to world literature, stating, “We have a literary history spanning 2,500 years, with languages like Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam continuing to produce remarkable works today. BBLF2024 is about celebrating this legacy and fostering connections between these languages.”
The inaugural session, “Tenkana Nudi Kaudi,” featured prominent literary figures like HS Shivaprakash, B Jeyamohan, Volga, Vivek Shanbhag, and K Satchidanandan.
This session explored the nuances of South Indian languages and their influence on literature, setting the stage for the thought-provoking discussions that followed.
The morning session saw a deep dive into the impact of Artificial Intelligence on literature with the panel “Age of AI – The End of the Classics?” featuring Poornima Malagimani, Krishnamurthy Hanur, Rajendra Chenni and Deepa Ganesh.
The crowd attended the Book Brahma Literature Festival on the first day. (Supplied)
The session raised pertinent questions about the future of traditional literature in the face of rapid technological advancements.
Simultaneously, another intriguing panel discussed the “New Wave of Translations into Telugu,” where authors like Kathyayani, Purnima Tammireddy, Avineni Bhaskar and Dhurjati Venkata Subhashri shed light on the emerging trends in Telugu literature.
The session highlighted the importance of translations in preserving and propagating regional literature across linguistic boundaries.
One of the day’s highlights was a performance titled “Poetry in Action” by Manasi Sudhir, which brought poetry to life through an enthralling performance that captivated the audience.
Following this, the Tamil panel on “Modern Poetry: Inner & External World” with Deepu Hari, Isai, Samraj and Sukumaran delved into the evolution of Tamil poetry in reflecting the internal and external struggles of contemporary life.
“Poetry in Action” by Manasi Sudhir. (Supplied)
Celebrating Kannada literature and honouring excellence
The afternoon session, focusing on Kannada literature, brought together stalwarts like Purushottam Bilimale, Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy, Sabiha Bhoomigowda, and Vikram Visaji in a panel titled “Languages: From Conventional to Commercial.”
This discussion examined the transition of Kannada from a traditional language to one that adapts to modern commercial demands.
The day also witnessed the much-anticipated “Book Brahma Kadambari Puraskara-2024” award ceremony, where renowned author Perumal Murugan announced and presented the prestigious awards.
The ceremony was followed by a riveting conversation with Perumal Murugan, moderated by P Gopalakrishnan and Paavannan, offering attendees a rare insight into the mind of one of India’s most celebrated writers.
In addition to the main sessions, parallel discussions took place in various sections, including Mathana, Angala, Akshara, Pustaka, and Chinnara Loka, catering to diverse interests.
Mathana hosted panels on autobiographies, Malayalam novels, and the untrodden paths of Kannada stories while Angala explored the intersection of poetry and cinema, children’s songs, and the beauty of regional languages like Tulu, Konkani, and Kodava.
There is an exhibition of various literary books at the event. (Supplied)
The Akshara section featured panels on the terrain of Indian language publishing and market trends in the publishing world, offering valuable insights to budding writers and publishers.
Meanwhile, Pustaka and Chinnara Loka provided a space for children’s storytelling sessions, traditional board games, and art masterclasses, ensuring the festival had something for everyone, regardless of age.
Reflecting on the first day, HS Shivaprakash expressed his admiration for the festival’s diverse lineup, stating, “It is heartening to see so many languages represented here, each with its unique flavour. The exchange of ideas across linguistic and cultural boundaries is what makes this festival truly special.”
Manasi Sudhir, who performed “Poetry in Action,” shared her thoughts, “Bringing poetry out of books and into performances is a powerful way to connect with the audience. The energy in the room today was electrifying, and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”
Attendees also echoed this enthusiasm. A young participant, Aditi Rao, said, “As a literature student, this festival is a dream come true. The panels are so insightful, and I’m thrilled to see my favourite authors in person.”
The first day of the Book Brahma Literature Festival 2024 has set the bar high for the rest of the weekend.
With a packed schedule of panels, performances, and cultural shows, the festival is not just a celebration of literature but also of the rich, diverse culture that defines India.
As the festival continues, attendees can look forward to more engaging sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and an unforgettable experience in the heart of Bengaluru.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from K Nitika Shivani)
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