A three-day mini literature festival at the Nehru Centre Library, aims to promote reading and literature among the youth with interactive sessions, discussions on Indian history, and riveting storytelling
A bust of Rajaram Maharaj in Florence. Pic courtesy/Nandita Ghatge
This week promises a delightful literary experience for young bookworms, history buffs and literary wizards in Mumbai. The Nehru Centre Library is hosting a mini litfest across three days; each day offers a new experience, with specialists in varying arenas putting up a display of their storytelling skills, imagination and knowledge.
“The Nehru Centre Library is a major public reference library in Mumbai. We regularly have outreach programmes for audiences,” Arati Desai, head librarian, shared with us. “Public outreach is important as we cannot remain seclusive.”
Nandita Ghatge
The first day hosts The POFFS Collection of Funny Stories (Pets, Other Animals, Friends, Family, and School), open to children and families. Three authors — Lavanya Karthik (author of Blame it on the Untz), Sanjana Kapur (author of The Great Sneak-Out) and Cyrus Broacha (author of Doggie Day Out) — will read out amusing stories from their own books. The books revolve around types of friendships, school life, family and pets. The primary aim is not just to introduce children to these books, but to nurture their love for reading.
Shalini Bajaj Surve. Pic courtesy/Mumbai Storytellers Society
The second day holds a bilingual conversation in English and Marathi, between author Nandita Ghatge and renowned journalist Kumar Ketkar, about Ghatge’s book, A Maharaja in Florence: Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj. Ghatge shared, “Rajaram passed away in Florence, where [the Italians] have a statue and bridge in his honour; the idea for this book began when I was researching about him. Our talk aims to cover not only his life, but the history of Kolhapur and its rulers; it’s commendable how rulers over 100 years ago were inclusive with their educational and social policies, how they imbibed different cultures and customs, which is valuable in the current age of polarised views.”
A previous session at the venue. Pic courtesy/Nehru Centre Library
On the final day, four voices from the Mumbai Storytellers Society — Shalini Bajaj Surve, Manisha Bhise, Simran Nagwani and Niyati Vaidya Mehta — will entertain audiences with captivating Hindi narrations (including translations) of folktales from across India, in honour of Hindi Diwas.
(From left) Cyrus Broacha, Sanjana Kapur and Lavanya Karthik. Pics courtesy/Harpercollins India
“The event is titled Katha Karavaan. There are Bengali, Gujarati and Marathi folktales included, each deeply woven into the cultural fabric of India, aiming to tell audiences stories that make them think deeply,” explains Shalini Bajaj Surve, the co-ordinator, who is also one of the speakers. “It’s a medley of ancient wisdom with modern themes, to champion the cause of language, and keep the oral storytelling tradition alive.”
Arati Desai
On September 17, 10.30 am; September 18, 4.30 pm; September 19, 11 am
At Who Are We Hall, first floor, Discovery of India Building, Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
Log on to nehrucentrelibrary@gmail.com
Entry RSVP mandatory
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