Dateline Dehradun: On 27th September 2024, the VoW Hindi Literature Festival 2024 made a grand opening at Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun. This three-day literary extravaganza, held in collaboration with the University, runs from 27th to 29th September. The event promises to be an immersive experience into the world of Hindi literature, featuring book launches, panel discussions, cultural performances, and exhibitions. The festival focuses on the contributions of authors in Hindi fiction, non-fiction, and translations from regional Indian languages, making it a landmark event for literature lovers.
Leading up to its Signature Event in its hometown Dehradun slated for 16-17 November, the Team hosts numerous events around their shortlisted authors in Indore, Pune, Delhi and Chennai and in the same string ‘Hindi Literature Festival 2024,’ is being held during the Hindi Pakhwada month.
This year, among shortlisted authors, Upasana, Joram Yalam Nabam, Prabhat Singh, Ramita Gurav and Subhash Nirav will be attending the fest where they will interact with students, faculty and several literary figures, poets, students, faculty, speakers, administrative officials and readers from Uttarakhand.
The day began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp symbolising knowledge and enlightenment, by Chief Guest Praveen Shukla, an esteemed Hindi poet, Mr Lakshmi Shankar Bajpai, Mamta Kiran, Neelesh Raghuvanshi, Dr Sanjeev Chopra, Rashmi Chopra, Prof Dr. Sanjay Jasola along with the melody of Mangal in the background.
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of the 3rd edition of VoW’s Hindi Magazine “Sadaneera”, which features comprehensive reviews and critiques of the 40 shortlisted books for the VoW Book Awards 2024. This was followed by the launch of the Hindi translation of Dr Sanjeev Chopra’s book, titled “Hum Bharat Ke Rajyon Ke Log: Bharat Ki Antrik Seemaon ka Nirman aur Punarnirman”, translated by Sachin Chauhan, launched by Hitesh Kumar S. Makwana, Surveyor General of India, along with Lakshmi Shankar Bajpai and Prof. Dr. Sanjay Jasola, Dr Praveen Shukla, adding to the intellectual fervour of the event.
The launch included a detailed presentation by translator Sachin Chauhan, offering a comprehensive portrayal of the ‘Nirman and Punarnirman’ (Creation and Reorganization) of the Indian states. Chauhan’s presentation captivated the audience, providing insights into the historical and political processes that led to the formation of India’s modern states, along with the subsequent redrawing of boundaries post-independence. Chauhan used maps, archival documents, and historical references to illustrate the intricacies of how India’s states were shaped over time.
His presentation also explored regional conflicts and identity movements that led to further state reorganizations, such as the creation of Telangana in 2014 and the emergence of smaller states like Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand in 2000. The session underscored the delicate balance between regional aspirations and the need for national cohesion, a theme central to Dr Chopra’s book. Sachin Chauhan’s translation work, along with the detailed historical context provided, ensures that the book will serve as an important resource for readers interested in India’s political history and the factors that influenced the creation of its current states.
Pic Courtesy: Devang Budakoti
The day continued with stimulating sessions featuring insightful discussions with celebrated authors. Ramita Gurav, the translator of the much-talked-about collection “Mannat aur Anya Kahaniyan”, shared her thoughts on crafting narratives that blend everyday struggles with profound human emotions along with the discussant Sushil Upadhyay and Chairperson Indu Pande.
Prabhat Singh, the translator of “Dheemi Wali Fast Passenger”, explored the challenges of translation, especially in maintaining the essence of the original text with discussant Indrajit Singh.
Discussion led by Neelesh Raghuvanshi for Upasana, author of “Dariya Bandar Kot”, provided an in-depth view of her writing journey and how her work reflects contemporary societal issues. Each session was moderated by literary scholars, enriching the discussions with critical perspectives.
One of the most insightful discussions of the day centred around “Uttarakhand: The Culture of the Himalayas”. This session, moderated by Girish Lakhera, discussed the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Uttarakhand, a region deeply connected to the Himalayan range. The panellists, Beena Benjwal, Nand Lal Bharti and Nand Kishor Hatwal, highlighted the unique blend of literature, art, folklore, and traditions that make Uttarakhand distinct and vibrant with its Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar cultures.
Cultural elements played a significant role in enhancing the festival’s atmosphere. Audiences were treated to performances by Devsthali and Uttarayani groups, which showcased the rich cultural and artistic traditions of the Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsar regions of Uttarakhand. Their performances highlighted the region’s vibrant folk music, dances, and artistic expressions, reminding the audience of the deep connection between literature and cultural identity.
In addition to these captivating discussions and performances, the festival featured photography, painting, and art exhibitions, allowing visual artists to share their interpretations of literature and culture. A curated book stall was set up by Natraj Books, Dehradun, providing a curated selection of works from the festival’s featured authors and publishers, allowing visitors to engage directly with literature.
This edition of the VoW Hindi Literature Festival marks a significant step towards promoting Hindi literature and fostering cultural dialogue, especially in the scenic backdrop of Uttarakhand. The festival also aims to engage the younger generation, with many students attending the sessions and interacting with the authors. As noted by Dr Sanjeev Chopra, Founder of the Valley of Words, this event is a golden opportunity for readers to meet their favourite authors and for aspiring writers to gain inspiration.
Graphic Era Hill University and Valley of Words have extended an invitation to literature enthusiasts and the general public to attend the remaining days of the festival, which will feature more engaging sessions, cultural performances, and opportunities to interact with prominent figures in the world of Hindi literature.
