Javed Akhtar sets the tone for 10th Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet
Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa, Kolkata, 22nd March 2022: The 10th edition of Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet or KaLam was inaugurated today by Padma Bhushan awardee renowned poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar in the presence of Dr. Jayanta Sengupta, Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel and Malavika Banerjee, Director, Kolkata Literary Meet at Victoria Memorial Hall.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Shri Javed Akhtar said, “I am extremely honoured to be invited at the Kolkata Literary Meet. For past 2 years, there has been lot of difficulties, problems but people who are optimistic believed that good things will come back and here it is. It is through books and literature where people connect with each other.”
Javed Akhtar and Srijato set up the tone of the literary meet with an engaging discussion on the translation of Javed Sa’abs Shaayri in Bengali and launch of the book.
Right after the inaugural session, an engrossing conversation with Noble Laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee and Cheyenne Olivier was held on their newly published illustrated cookbook. This was followed by journalist, author, and columnist Vir Sanghvi sharing his memoirs with Sandip Roy. The day ended with a Bangla session with Chandril Bhattacharya, Srijato and Anupam Roy discussing the challenges of writing columns and recording vlogs.
The Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet will be held from March 22 – 27, 2022 at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall and GD Birla Sabhaghar (March 23). The 6 days will host some of the best literary minds across the country. The annual literary festival will also feature enthralling performance every day in various art forms.
Mr. Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President – Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “It is extremely gratifying to bring back the most elite literary meet back to Kolkata in its physical form. Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet has connected, empowered, and mobilized new voices and ideas since its inception in 2012. Over the next 6 days, we will be bringing eminent authors, cultural luminaries to the city and are certain that the culture loving people of Kolkata will take the opportunity to participate in a big way in this literary festival.”
Sessions will be held to celebrate the centenaries of RK Laxman, Sahir Ludhianvi, cinema maestro Satyajit Ray. Works of legendary actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay will be remembered by Madhabi Mukherjee, his daughter Poulomi Bose and Suman Mukhopadhyay. Usha Uthup and Remo Fernandes will be unplugged, and audience will have the chance to hear their untold stories.
This year’s edition of Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet coincides with 100 years of Victoria Memorial Hall. On the occasion Dr. Jayanta Sengupta, Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall said, “In our centenary year celebration, we are extremely delighted to host one of the elite literary meets of the country where cultural stalwarts will be present.”
Notable performances that will be held during the 6-day long festival include jugalbandi by Ustad Rashid Khan and Srijato on March 24. Renowned Bharatnatyam dancer Mallika Sarabhai will mesmerise audiences in the backdrop of magical Victoria Memorial on March 25. On the concluding day, actress, director, producer Simi Garewal will share her experience of working with one of the greatest filmmakers of all time Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen. This will be followed by a live performance by classical sitar maestro Ustad Shujaat Khan.
Ms Malavika Banerjee, Director of the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet, said: “The on-ground, Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet in association with Victoria Memorial is back after a year to enthrall the people of the city by organising 6 days of power packed sessions, exchange of ideas and magical performances. I am sure that the discerning book lovers will make the festival a grand success.”
Schedule of Day 2 – Wednesday 23 March enclosed. Venue: GD Birla Sabhaghar
