After a hiatus forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Gateway LitFest (GLF), the largest platform for Indian language writers, is set to return to Mumbai on March 1 and 2, 2024. This year’s event, organized by the quarterly magazine Kaakka, will focus on celebrating the global success of Indian writings under the theme of ‘Indian Literature Going Global.’
The festival, now in its 7th edition, will bring together top writers, including Jnanpith laureates and Akademi awardees, from various regional languages. It will be held at the prestigious Convocation Hall, Fort Campus of Mumbai University, providing a vibrant platform for literary discussions and interactions.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the chairman of the advisory panel of the GLF, along with eminent personalities like Jnanpith winners Pratibha Ray and Damodar Mauzo, and leading writers such as Subodh Sarkar, Sitanshu Yashaschandra, Sachin Ketkar, AJ Thomas, S Prasannarajan, Vivek Shanbhag, Paul Zacharia, Devibharathi, Anwar Ali, N Kalyana Raman, Fathima EV, Shanta Gokhale, Jameel Gulrays, Farook Shaheen, Ramu Ramnathan, Resul Pookkutty, and Vetrimaaran, will grace the event as speakers.
Mohan Kakkanadan, Festival Director, expressed his joy at the festival’s return, stating, “When the Covid forced us to shelve the event that was held successfully for six years, we felt depressed. Now we are extremely glad to make a comeback.” He emphasized the importance of physical events for literary discussions and the camaraderie of letters.
Joseph Alexander, Festival Executive Director, highlighted the recent global recognition of Indian writers, citing Geetanjali Shree’s “Tomb of Sand,” which became the first Hindi-language novel to win the International Booker Prize in 2022. He noted, “There is a new-found interest in Indian writings especially after writers like Perumal Murugan, Vivek Shanbag, and Bennyamin have made a big impact beyond the boundaries.”
K J Bennychan, GLF Executive Director, emphasized the role of translators in this global success, stating, “This current success is partly because of the hard work and talents of a bunch of translators who are also responsible for the new thrust of translations happening from one Indian language to another. We are going to make a special tribute to them and honor some of the best translators in the country at present.”
Over the years, GLF has hosted hundreds of writers from all Indian languages, offering a diverse platform for literary discussions. This edition will feature sessions covering translations, drama, poetry, and regional themes, providing a comprehensive overview of the rich tapestry of Indian literature.
