Best talks at Mumbai's first major lit fest
Mumbai's first major lit fest has a large cinematic component, with Indian film director Anurag Kashyap and others speaking. This weekend (December 2-4) sees the first edition of "Mumbai Fully Booked", The Times of India’s literature carnival taking place at Mehboob Studios.
Besides being a free, wander-in style lit fest spread over two halls and a lawn, "Mumbai Fully Booked" also promises to discuss "everything that Mumbai loves."
What would that be? Expect large doses of movies, money and sport -- with dashes of food, social commentary, politics and journalism in the session mix.
And Pakistan's finest writers are taking part too.
"It's a crossover festival focused on South Asia, curated in a way that brings people together from different fields via books," says associate festival director Namita Devidayal, who worked alongside festival director Bachi Karkaria, a veteran Times of India columnist.
The straight-talking Karkaria "wouldn't tolerate any author nonsense," says Devidayal. "She's fantastic to work with."
With Karkaria at the helm you can expect Mumbai's first major annual lit fest will be open-minded, all-inclusive and not restricted to intellectual circles. In other words, Mehboob Studios in Bandra is not going to feel like a stodgy teatime session at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in town.
6 talks Devidayal reckons will define the festival
1. Karachi Noir: Pakistani author Mohammed Hanif in conversation with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap about Hanif's new book "Our Lady of Alice Bhatti." Saturday, December 3, 4 p.m.
"They're fans of each other and come from different fields. Should be interesting when they get together, as their perspectives will be different."
2. Snakes On Ladders: Queen bee and king cobra of the Indian social scene join hands to discuss if, as Arundhati Roy averred, India's elite has seceded into outer space. Shobhaa De and Suhel Seth "refereed" by Bachi Karkaria. Saturday, December 3, noon
"This will be fun by default, I think. In light of Mihir Sharma’s scathing review of Suhel Seth's new book on social-climbing, which has become a talking point in Indian social media this week."
3. The Sufi Way: Madan Gopal Singh sings and recites while art critic Ranjit Hoskote reads out Lalla Ded's poetry. Saturday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.
"This is a personal favorite. Madan Gopal Singh, a sufi singer, has been around much before sufi music became a fad. There's a lot of love and authenticity about him."
4. The Idea Of India: Fact And Fiction: Cerebral heavyweights Patrick French, M.J. Akbar and Jerry Rao in conversation with Swapan Dasgupta on the many Indias and whether they can meet. Sunday, December 4, 10:30 a.m.
5. The Changing Caste, Colour And Creed Of Money: Old-money guru Deepak Parekh and screen playwriter Jaideep Sahni, who has made new money his muse in films "Rocket Singh," "Bunty aur Babli" and "Khosla ka Ghosla", discuss India's nouveau materialism with columnist Aakar Patel. Friday, December 2, 4 p.m.
"This is interesting because it brings together an old-world financial guru and a filmmaker dealing with the whole culture of new money. And it's moderated by Aakar Patel, who's really bright."
6. Bombay Boys: Mumbai is a seductive muse. Four very different writers talk about how they fell for its charms. Manu Joseph, Naresh Fernandes, Gyan Prakash and Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghavi chat with Bombay girl Manjeet Kripalani. Friday, December 2, 4 p.m.
"This is a seriously diverse bunch. Should be fun."
For the full festival calendar, click here.
