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Bhubaneswar: The 5th edition of Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) kick-started here with the presence of eminent personalities who represent Indian literature, politics, media and public services, Friday.
Noted author Amish Tripathi, former diplomat Pavan Verma, veteran actor Piyush Mishra, writer Ramendra Kumar, poet Rajendra Panda and other personalities from the field of literature took part on the inaugural day of the fest.
Amish’s next a book on King Kharavela
Amish mesmerised the audience with his answers and statements during an interactive session. He talked about his books, including the Ram Chandra series, Sita, Shiva Trilogy and others, and reasons behind writing them.
He said that he writes books to connect with the people. Amish also announced that his next book will be on King Kharavela. “Ancient Kalinga has a rich legacy and was influential in not just east India, but entire India. This legacy must be retold to new generations. As I had lived in Odisha in early childhood, it has become my duty to write about King Kharavela to showcase the rich culture of Kalinga,” said Tripathi.
I am a bad love poet: Mohapatra
Noted poet Jayanta Mohapatra admitted that he is not a love poet. He can hardly write about love.
“I write whatever is happening around me, whether it is a political issue, social matter or burning topics. I can’t write love poems,” said Mohapatra.
Mohapatra also revealed that he never wanted to be a poet. However, a book by Fakir Mohan Senapati inspired him to write. “The words and language used by Fakir Mohan touched my soul. One day, I looked up and said ‘Dear Fakir Mohan; please help me to write like you.’ Though I never knew him, his writings captivated my heart,” he added.
His poems have appeared in most of the reputed journals of the world. He received the prestigious Jacob Glatstein Memorial Award (Chicago) in 1975. He is the first Indian poet in English to have received the Central Sahitya Akademi Award (1981) for his book Relationship.
Piyush Mishra enthralls audience
The auditorium was charged with new energy when veteran actor Piyush Mishra took the stage. From the beginning, he left the audience mesmerised singing his famous song Arambh Hai Prachand. He also released the book Arambh Hai Prachand, which contains several of his lyrics, at the festival.
The audience went berserk when actor sang another song Teri Keh Ke Lunga, which was adapted in the film Gangs of Wasseypur. He also performed a song which was penned after demonetisation.
Felicitation
Eminent writers were felicitated on the first day of the fest for their inspiring work in the field of literature. Padmaj Pal received the Kalinga Sahitya Sanman (Odia), Amish Tripathy received the Kalinga International Literary Award (writing in any global language) and Nirupama Rao accepted the Kalinga Karubaki Literary Award (for women writers).
Art exhibition
Over 100 paintings on different themes were exhibited at the venue. The paintings represented moral teachings, devotion, rural subjects, love and landscapes. Eminent personalities also participated in a session on contemporary art and culture sharing their thoughts.
Poetry sessions
During the three-day event, young writers and poets from several districts of Odisha will receive Kalinga Literary Youth Awards for their excellence in literary field. The youth awards have received great response and excitement in the small towns across Odisha.
Mystic Kalinga multi-lingual poetry sessions will see many senior poets reciting their poetry in different languages – Odia, Hindi, English and Bengali. Litterateurs Rajendra Panda, Harihara Mishra, Amaresh Patnaik, Paramita Satpathy Pavan Varma, Nirupama Rao, Jayshree Tripathi, Pravakar Satapathy, Hrushikesh Mallick, Husaain Rabi Gandhi, Mamata Dash, Ashutosh Parida and Kedar Mishra will recite their poems.
The three-day festival will also witness over 10 book releases. Leading names like Ramakanta Rath, Gourahari Das, Jatin Nayak and Swaraj Mishra will participate in book discussion sessions.
