Day 2 of Prabha Khaitan Foundation Kitaab Festival deliberates on women, Poetry, Love, Laughter and Photography
· Day 2 of Kitaab Festival comprised four-session, first session began with the launch of the book Hindi Ki Pahli Adhunik Kavita authored by Sudipti, second Rangon ki Manmani by Waseem Nader, third was Law, Humor and Urdu poetry by advocate Ejaz Maqbool and last one was on Satyajit Ray by eminent photographer Raghu Rai.
· The day was spent discussing bizarre humor in courtroom proceedings, the magic of transforming emotions into a visual medium for instance photography, languages and the evolution of modern Hindi
NEW DELHI: Prabha Khaitan Foundation commenced its second day of Kitaab Festival at the plush green ground of India International Centre and released four books with engaging discussions. The release of books was spread over four brief sessions involving discussions and entertaining conversations available on the foundation’s Youtube channel for public view. All the sessions were initiated and felicitated by different eminent members of Ehsaas – Women of Delhi NCR followed by interviews and conversations with respective authors. The day pronounced photography, the love for languages, modern Hindi, and Urdu poetry.
In chronological order, the first session belonged to Hindi ki Pahli Adhunik Kavita by Sudipti, second to Rangon ki Manmani by Waseem Nader, third for Law, Humour and Urdu poetry, a book by Ejaz Maqbool, and last but the most important, for the release of book Satyajit Ray by eminent photographer Raghu Rai.
Ehsaas Women celebrated books & authors with a very special programme in the capital. Ina Puri said, “ On the second day I was delighted to be in conversation with the legendary Raghu Rai on his newest release Dadu/ On Satyajit Ray which I had collaborated on as a writer documenting the incredible friendship of Ray & Rai. Our dialogue was interspersed with anecdotes & personal memories that had the listeners rivetted. This was Raghu Rai’s first interaction with Ehsaas women & since it was a Prabha Khaitan Foundation publication it was even more special.”
The first two sessions were dedicated to Hindi and Urdu poetry. The first session announced the release of a book by Sudipti, author of Hindi ki pahli adhunik Kavita, where, Sudipti in conversation with Anushakti Singh joyfully revealed her research about where do we find original marks of new and modern Hindi poetry, in the trajectory of the history of Hindi literature. Sudipti’s debut book “Hindi ki Pahli Adhunik Kavita” talks about how Hindi evolved over a period of time with shades and hues of Urdu, Arbi, and Farsi.
The second session belonged to the launch of the book ‘Rangon ki Manmani’ by Waseem Nader in conversation with Abhinandan Pandey. This captivative and charming session in Urdu was started with the felicitation of Waseem Nader and Abhinandan Pandey by Shazia Ilmi. The discussion was concluded after Waseem expressed his thoughts on what he thinks about the strong Arabic influence on the Urdu language. Waseem said any language which gives you a strong connection with the masses and doesn’t offend is good, and for that matter, the influence of a foreign language doesn’t really matter. Waseem also answered why youth today are so fond of Shayari and ghazal instead of other intricate formats like rubai and nazms etc.
The third session captured the highest laughter. During the course of conversation at the book release ‘Law, Humour, and Urdu Poetry’, a book edited and compiled by Advocate Ejaz Maqbool, he said ‘Paida Huaa Wakeel To Shaitaan Ne Kahaa Lo Aaj Hum Bhi Sahib -e Aulaad Ho Gaye; when a lawyer was born demon said, I have become father to a child). Speaking about humor in the most stressful moments of legal proceedings and other amusing legal cases from the book, advocate Maqbool shared his experiences and stories stating how Urdu is innately and intrinsically linked with the courtroom. In conversation with Hasan Zia he emphasized the importance of humor during the most stressful moments. The book talks about funny anecdotes given by eminent advocates and judges during the courtroom proceedings, making courtroom hearings more humor absorbable, humane, and realistic. The audience was intrigued by the long hours and hard work which went into compiling humour and Urdu poetry used during legal proceedings and case discussions.
The fourth and last session took place for the release of the book Satyajit Ray by Raghu Rai, In conversation with Ina Puri, Rai said, “the mystery of every individual comes across only once in a while when you make yourself available mentally, physically, spiritually to feel, to understand, to perceive the person. This is where his book is unique” he also spoke about the astonishing shots of Satyajit ray in his book and his skill in translating emotions into the visual experience. He disclosed what he felt about his relationship with Satyajit Ray, whom he fondly called Manik da. In an instance he recalled, once when Ray denied meeting people, he isolated himself to experience tranquility, maybe for his creative goals, yet he agreed to meet Rai when he said I just want to be with you, I have no purpose, over a phone call. He mentioned such instances unearths an individual’s personality and was the instance when he felt close to Satyajit Ray. Rai also reminisced about his personal journey of photography during the interview.