The Kumbh Mela of literature

KOCHI: For all book lovers in Kochi, the fifth DSC Jaipur Literature Festival, is all set to enthrall book enthusiasts again from January 20-24, 2012. Like every year, the annual festival will be held at the lovely Diggi Palace in Jaipur. The fest will encompass a wide range of activities including debates, discussions, readings, music and workshops.The festival will play host to over 200 speakers from across the globe. Prominent authors who have confirmed their presence at the 5th DSC Jaipur Literature Festival 2012 include Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, Amish Tripathi, Ben Okri, David Hare, David Remnick, Deepak Chopra, Fatima Bhutto, Gulzar, Hari Kunzru, Jamaica Kincaid, James Schapiro, Javed Akhtar, Michael Ondaatje, to name a few.This year the festival will focus on a variety of issues including Bhakti and Sufi traditions, Arab Spring, Gandhi, Ambedkar & Anna, Vegetarianism, censorship,writing from conflict zones, theatre and other issues.Speaking about the literary extravaganza, Festival co-director Namita Gokhale says, “The Jaipur Literature Festival is now the Kumbh Mela of Indian and international writing. It nourishes narratives and nurtures a vibrant literary community.”Festival co-director William Dalrymple says,“This is our best Jaipur line up ever. I am particularly proud this year to have brought Tom Stoppard and David Hare, two of our greatest living playwrights. We will also be analysing the fascinatingly interwoven relationships of Tolstoy, Tagore and Gandhi”The DSC Jaipur lit fest is free for the general public to attend.  Registrations are now open for delegates and the media.Details are available on the website http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/registration/. [email protected]