The atmosphere was thick
with excitement as a scintillating mix of Indian and international authors and thousands
of lovers of literature gathered together to kick off the third edition of Tata
Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest.
The highlight of the first day was the honouring of Nobel Laureate Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul with the Landmark Literature Live! Lifetime
Achievement Award by Festival
Director and fellow litterateur Anil Dharker at Tata Theatre, NCPA. A special audiovisual
presentation chronicling the life and significance of Sir Vidia’s role in the
world of literature was screened, following which he was presented with the Landmark Literature Live! Lifetime
Achievement Award as well as a
silver plaque along with a shawl and a cash prize of 5 lakhs.
“Sir Vidia is among the most important literary figures of the century and his
contributions have undeniably enriched literature for the benefit of humanity,”
said Anil Dharker, Festival Director. “His courage and
persistence in holding sometimes unfashionable beliefs has made him the
universal writer and humanist that he is. This is one of the rare cases where
an award is honoured by its recipient!”
The audience was treated to a session filled with Sir Vidia’s
characteristic wit and fierce opinions as he engaged in an onstage conversation
with renowned writer and playwright Farrukh
Dhondy. Also attending the event was Mr.
K. N. Suntook, Chairman, NCPA.
“The thing about writing is that you got to keep on”, said Sir Vidia “Reality alone doesn’t make a
book, it involves fantasia as well.”
The day’s first book launch saw London Company, the latest work by renowned writer, playwright and activist Farrukh Dhondy presented to the keen audience by noted Indian novelist and publisher David Davidar. The evening was host to the launch of India Grows at Night, a literary work of bravardo by prolific Indian author, commentator and public intellectual Gurcharan Das that was released by eminent Indian business entrepreneur, writer and speaker Jaithirth Rao, popularly known as Jerry Rao. The day’s last book launch drew hordes of admirers as former journalist and internationally acclaimed author Ashok Banker’s latest literary delight Kali Rising was unveiled by notable Canadian writer Trevor Carolan.
