Chandigarh, a city known for its unique tapestry woven from its vibrant culture, style and sophistication, set out to explore yet another feather in its wing. The AWWA Lit Fest, ‘Abhivyakti’ turned to Chandigarh for its fourth edition igniting a passion for literature, poetry and storytelling. ‘Abhivyakti,’ which translates to articulation or simply, to express oneself, was held at the Khetarpal Officer’s Institute (KOI), Chandimandir Military Station, from November 8 to 10. This particular Lit Festival, is one of the many philanthropic programs steered by AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association) to bolster the ‘force behind the forces’.
The Fest featured a zesty list of authors, an array of engaging panel discussions, book launches, creative workshops and even stand-up performances. Themed ‘Explore, Express and Experience” the event beheld the presence of myriad artists ranging from established authors like Amish Tripathi and Neelesh Kulkarni to the acclaimed Bollywood actor Boman Irani as well as the army-brat turned famed actor, Pooja Batra.
The introductory spell unfolded with Boman Irani’s poignant tales, where he fervently recounts his aspiring journey through a series of heartfelt anecdotes. Reminiscing on his life’s narrative, Irani painted an emotional picture of his early tussles interweaving it with moments of vulnerability and perseverance unto his triumphant rise to fame in Bollywood. His life’s story resonated tunefully with the audience, as he shared profound lessons accumulated along his life’s journey.
Following that, an engaging panel discussion titled, “Timeless Voices: Celebrating Women Writers and Contributions of Army Spouses” unfurled. The panel featured Anuja Chauhan, the acclaimed author behind best-selling novels like “The Zoya Factor” and “Battle for Bittora,” Aditi Mathur Kumar, a TEDx Speaker and author of “Soldier & Spice: An Army Wife’s Life” and Meenu Tripathi, a freelance Hindi author, who’s penned more than 200 stories in Hindi. The audience was treated to rousing narratives and reflections revealing women writers’ impact across both creative and cultural pastures.
Renowned author, Amish Tripathi, celebrated for his trailblazing novels that intricately weave together the threads of mythology and imagination engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the theme ‘Mythical Modernity: Indian Legends Re-imagined.’ His insights stirred the audience to find a “balance” between traditional narratives and the sensibilities of contemporary life. His compelling chronicles have not only captivated the readers but also notably shaped the understanding of our mythical fables.
Author Neelesh Kulkarni delved into the rich aspects of Indian ethos in a thought-provoking discussion on “India’s Civilizational History: A Brilliant Mosaic.” revealing the elegant montage of history, traditions and values that have shaped India through the ages.
The festival came alive with the amusing performance of Harpriya Bains, a mom-turned-comedian, whose unique blend of humour and candidness struck a chord with the audience. She gave a side-splitting commentary on the delightful madness of raising two spirited teens, the complexities of being a wife, and the overwhelming pressures of conforming to familial expectations and still finding laughter amid the chaos of everyday life – the audience surely enjoyed her relatable narratives.
On the other side, “Abhaya: Breaking the Silence” an anthology of 27 fearless expressions captures musings of hurt and shame, tales of survival and resurgence, and an outpouring of poetry from women writers who openly shared their plaintive experiences of sexual harassment. These 27 powerful voices utter the agony censored beneath a deceptive calm and the bold defiance of the feminine spirit.
As these talented women authors took the spotlight for their much-awaited book launches, they unveiled powerful narratives that radiated the defiance of the feminine spirit. These gentle yet assertive expressions added richness to the literary ethos and reinforced the resilience and creative forte of womanhood.
The festival’s final day began with an invaluable keynote address by renowned author Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai, who passionately stressed the importance of fostering a reading culture. Urging aspiring writers to venture beyond the confines of traditional textbooks and embrace the art of storytelling, Dr Pillai stated, “Each of us has a story to tell!”
The final panel discussion resonated with the melody of the event and the need to expand our literary horizons. Themed, “Rekindling the habit of reading,” the conversation featured Ajay Jain, founder of Kunzum, a chain of boutique bookstores and Saguna Jain, entrepreneur and founder of Media Consultancy and also an avid golfer, in conversation with the moderator, Soni Sangwan. Inspiring the listeners to explore a wider array of literature to kindle the deepest levels of their imagination, the panel shared their valuable sentiments on the “shift in reading habits of people in the age of digitalisation”, where they feel more connected to digital books than the traditional ones.
The AWWA Lit Fest turned out to be a dazzling celebration of literary fortes, bringing together an eclectic mix of authors, poets and reading enthusiasts. The fest not only saluted the gallantry and heroism of the armed forces but also forged a deeper bond between the military community and the creative realm, highlighting the profound interplay between art and service. Through a sequence of enchanting readings, discussions, and performances, the fest eloquently ‘articulated’ the intricate relationship between art and service, illuminating how creativity can emerge from personal sacrifice to a larger cause.
Shared By : Simran Maharaj
Authors Bio: Simran finds joy in a variety of creative pursuits, whether it’s expressing herself through writing, curating beautiful interiors or floral arrangements or capturing her moods on the canvas. Being married to an Army officer and having a background in Philosophy; kindles her spirit for exploration, and allows her to immerse herself in new and unique cultures and experiences, which inspire her to weave together the diverse narratives of human experiences.
