NEW DELHI: Prabha Khaitan Foundation commenced its second day of Kitaab Festival at the plush green ground of India International Centre and released four books with engaging discussions.
The release of books was spread over four brief sessions involving discussions and entertaining conversations available on the foundation’s Youtube channel for public view. All the sessions were initiated and felicitated by different eminent members of Ehsaas – Women of Delhi NCR followed by interviews and conversations with respective authors. The day pronounced photography, the love for languages, modern Hindi, and Urdu poetry.
In chronological order, the first session belonged to Hindi ki Pahli Adhunik Kavita by Sudipti, second to Rangon ki Manmani by Waseem Nader, third for Law, Humour and Urdu poetry, a book by Ejaz Maqbool, and last but the most important, for the release of book Satyajit Ray by eminent photographer Raghu Rai.
Ehsaas Women celebrated books & authors with a very special programme in the capital. Ina Puri said, “ On the second day I was delighted to be in conversation with the legendary Raghu Rai on his newest release Dadu/ On Satyajit Ray which I had collaborated on as a writer documenting the incredible friendship of Ray & Rai. Our dialogue was interspersed with anecdotes & personal memories that had the listeners riveted. This was Raghu Rai’s first interaction with Ehsaas women & since it was a Prabha Khaitan Foundation publication it was even more special.”
The first two sessions were dedicated to Hindi and Urdu poetry. The first session announced the release of a book by Sudipti, author of Hindi ki pahli adhunik Kavita, where, Sudipti in conversation with Anushakti Singh joyfully revealed her research about where do we find original marks of new and modern Hindi poetry, in the trajectory of the history of Hindi literature. Sudipti’s debut book “Hindi ki Pahli Adhunik Kavita” talks about how Hindi evolved over a period of time with shades and hues of Urdu, Arbi, and Farsi.
The second session belonged to the launch of the book ‘Rangon ki Manmani’ by Waseem Nader in conversation with Abhinandan Pandey. This captivative and charming session in Urdu was started with the felicitation of Waseem Nader and Abhinandan Pandey by Shazia Ilmi. The discussion was concluded after Waseem expressed his thoughts on what he thinks about the strong Arabic influence on the Urdu language. Waseem said any language which gives you a strong connection with the masses and doesn’t offend is good, and for that matter, the influence of a foreign language doesn’t really matter. Waseem also answered why youth today are so fond of Shayari and ghazal instead of other intricate formats like rubai and nazms etc.
The third session captured the highest laughter. During the course of conversation at the book release ‘Law, Humour, and Urdu Poetry’, a book edited and compiled by Advocate Ejaz Maqbool, he said ‘Paida Huaa Wakeel To Shaitaan Ne Kahaa Lo Aaj Hum Bhi Sahib -e Aulaad Ho Gaye; when a lawyer was born demon said, I have become father to a child).