Renowned Authors and Artists Gather at 6th Jharkhand Literary Meet
The sixth Tata Steel Jharkhand Literary Meet, inaugurated by famed author Devdutt Patnaik, brings together distinguished writers, filmmakers, and artists in Ranchi for a culturally rich exchange.
RANCHI – At Ranchi’s historic Audrey House, the prestigious Tata Steel Jharkhand Literary Meet marked its sixth edition with a grand opening.
The event was attended by the presence of Devdutt Patnaik, an author who launched the meet with his latest book, ‘Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism.
This was followed by a profound discussion on the relevance of the Bhagavad Gita in modern times.
The literary meet also witnessed the attendance of veteran poet and writer Mamta Kalia, recipient of the Vyas Samman, who reflected on her illustrious literary journey.
Highlighting regional literature, Mahadev Toppo, a notable Jharkhand writer and Birsa Munda Award winner, shared the stage with Parvati Tirkey, an emerging local writer, discussing tribalism’s impact.
The event also featured a stirring performance by Padmashree Shubha Mudgal.
Her music, inspired by Sufi-bhakti traditions, set the tone for the evening.
Engaging discussions continued with Jerry Pinto, who delved into the enduring charm of classic literature.
Adding a cinematic perspective, Jharkhand filmmakers Seral Murmu and Niranjan Kumar Kujur spoke about breaking stereotypes in regional storytelling.
Bikram Grewal, a writer and bird expert, alongside Raza Kazmi, a wildlife historian, shared captivating stories from Jharkhand’s wilderness and discussed Jamal Ara, India’s first ‘Birdwoman’.
The session with Prashant Pandita, a former engineer turned author, was equally riveting.
He spoke about ‘The Jhelum Boys’, his debut novel exploring the intricate friendship of two Kashmiri boys amidst the Pandita exodus.
The event’s director, Malvika Banerjee, emphasized the literary meet’s significance, stating it has consistently attracted top talent who resonate with the region’s cultural essence.
She expressed confidence that this year’s event would continue to highlight groundbreaking ideas and voices.
