Snapshots From the Jaipur Literature Festival 2014

A popular photo-opp for festival goers, this traditional painting at the entrance of Diggi Palace is the work of a former tea vendor, Shamboo, and exudes the richness and diversity of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2014.

From high school students to curious office goers, the 17th century Rajput-built Diggi Palace was brimming with literary enthusiasts from around the world.

It was Indian Nobel Prize winning economist, Amartya Sen who attracted the biggest crowds with his opening speech on seven wishes for a better India.

Pulitzer Prize winner, Jhumpa Lahiri, got the crowd talking as she declared the American literature was “massively overrated” and the current reading habits are “transformed by the mainstream”.

Some of the other sessions included the CIA’s engrossing discussion on shape-shifting since 1970’s, Narendra Kohli’s discussion on his book, Mahasamar, Irrfan Khan’s talk on the influence of films on Indians and Amish Tripathi’s candid and light-humored conversation.

Diggipurri ki chai was a big hit among authors, celebs, speakers and participants alike. Needless to say, it was also the crowd-puller in between sessions.

JLF is packed with surprises for one and all. Some of the celebrities we bumped into at the pulsating venue were Anupama Chopra, Imam Siddique, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Kabir Bedi.

Evenings brought us up close with yet another facet of the Festival at Hotel Clarks Amer. Talented artists like Karsh Kale and Midival Punditz set the stage on fire with their musical performances.

The Kutle Khan Project, led by the man himself, had everyone swaying to the tunes of Rajasthani folk music.

Music to the ears accompanied by a visual treat for the lively audience. The dancers were truly gifted and the performances left everyone in the audience starry-eyed.

Contributed by literary enthusiasts: Ragini Mehra & Shreya Sachar

Photo Credit: Swati Talwar, Ragini Mehra & Shreya Sachar