The coastal city of Mangaluru is set to host a confluence of distinguished intellectuals, diplomats, and artists at the 8th edition of the Mangaluru Lit Fest. The two-day festival, organized by the Bharath Foundation, will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre.
Promoting the 'Idea of Bharat'
Addressing the media on Thursday, Bharath Foundation trustee Sunil Kulkarni outlined the festival's core mission: to promote the 'Idea of Bharat'. A significant highlight will be a tribute to the legendary Kannada novelist SL Bhyrappa. A dedicated session titled 'Literature Inspired by Bhyrappa' will be conducted by Shatavadhani R Ganesh and GB Harisha.
The inaugural session will feature a special interaction with Rajya Sabha member and historian Meenakshi Jain, setting the tone for the intellectual discourse to follow.
High-Profile Sessions on Global and National Issues
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of speakers tackling pressing contemporary issues. Former RAW chief Vikram Sood and China expert Professor Sriparna Pathak will delve into the complex dynamics of 'Global Power Games'.
In another key panel, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, will be joined by expert Swasti Rao and journalist Aditya Raj Kaul to deliberate on 'India's Challenging Neighbourhood: Role of Extra Regional Powers'.
Further enriching the global perspective, Ambassador TS Tirumurti, alongside Dr Sreeram Chaulia and Vijit Kanahalli, will explore the theme of 'Indian Thought in a Globalised World'.
Diverse Tracks: From Literature to Digital News
Beyond geopolitics, the festival offers a rich tapestry of sessions across arts and media. Shatavadhani R Ganesh and Ajakkala Girish Bhat will speak on 'Search for Values Through Literature'.
The evolving media landscape will be under scrutiny in a discussion featuring ANI's editorial director Smita Prakash, Padmaja Joshi, and Surabhi Hodigere, focusing on how digital news is shaping public discourse.
The world of cinema will be represented by noted filmmaker P Sheshadri, actor Malavika Avinash, and writer Pallavi Rao Karanth in a session on 'Film and Thought'. Additionally, a session on 'Imagination, Narrative, and Camera' will include actress Ranjani Raghavan and author Seema Burude.
Celebrating Regional Culture and Language
Staying true to its roots, the lit fest will shine a spotlight on regional culture and languages. Sanskriti Bharathi, Mangaluru, will present a Sanskrit session titled 'Chinnara Angala'. Dedicated sessions on the Kodava language and Tulu script are also scheduled, emphasizing linguistic diversity.
Adding a local flavour, journalist Vishweshwar Bhat's book 'Badukulidavaru Kandante' will be discussed by Shrikant Shetty Karkala. For sports enthusiasts, journalist Jayanth Kodkani will converse with Manuja Veerappa on 'Red Cherries on the Canara Coast: The Story of Cricket in Mangaluru and Udupi'.
The festival will also feature cultural performances, including a Bombeyata (puppetry) presentation by Ujjwala Krishnara, ensuring a blend of intellectual rigor and artistic expression for all attendees.
