In 1874, Thomas Hardy’s literary masterpiece Far from the Madding Crowd became a pragmatic metaphor. The novel still transcends in multiple forms – critical assessments to movie adaptations. Its one more contextual adaptation was witnessed in the recently concluded inaugural edition of Seemanchal International Literary Festival (SILF) in the pastoral Kisahnganj region of Bihar.
Inaugural SILF fest was the brainchild of Singapore based journalist, author and publisher Zafar H., Anjum, who also hails from Kishanganj. Located in the lap of the country’s chicken neck adjoining the queen of hills, Darjeeling at Bihar-Bengal intersection surrounded by Bangladesh and Nepal borders, Kishanganj connects Northeastern Indian states with the rest parts of the country.
Held in the collaboration of Kitaab International, Singapore and Insan School Kishanganj, SILF was first of its kind in an area which was not familiar with such literary fests earlier. Distinguished literati from worldwide locations spoke their minds on this occasion.
Often considered rich men’s jaunt in urban societies, literary festivals are held throughout the world but usually end up like elite popping sprees. SILF brought newest contour in the backdrop which revived countryside plot of Thomas Hardy. Inaugural edition at Insan School campus coincided with the school’s golden jubilee celebration to add more value to the fest.
Eminent writers’ and authors’ participation made the two-day long literary fest a grand success. Speaking on various issues in many sessions, they included eminent bilingual critic, translator and reviewer and Professor of Mass Communication at AMU, Aligarh, Professor Shafey Kidwai; Senior Deputy Editor of The Hindu-Frontline, Ziya Us Salam; Editor in Chief of Commercial and Business Books at the Penguin Random House India, Milee Ashwarya; co-Founder of Bangalore Writers Workshop Write Leela Write, Rheea Mukherjee; Singaporean journalist, PN Balji; Malay novelist cum poet, Isa Kamari, UK-based Urdu poet Dr. Nadeem Zafar Jilani; Mumbai based Urdu novelist Rahman Abbas; USA based academician, writer & columnist Dr. Debotri Dhar; eminent poet, author, editor and translator, Abha Iyengar; creative head of IDream Production and Percept Picture Company, Aditya Kripalani; journalist Percy Fernandez and Dr. Kamlanand Jha, Associate professor at Central University of South Bihar.
Inaugural SILF began with India’s National Anthem and Insan School Tarana recitation. Minister of Culture, Arts and Youth Development, Bihar, Chandra Ram formally inaugurated the fest. Insan School Foundation’s Saba Syed Hafeez welcomed guests while local leaders invited dignitaries on stage. SILF Founder-Director, Zafar Anjum welcomed their views.
Singapore’s journalist cum author, PN Balji spoke on Indians Abroad: A Singaporean Perspective in the opening keynote. Moderated by Rheea Mukherjee, panel discussion on Reclaiming Humanity through Literature had Rahman Abbas, Isa Kamari, Shafey Kidwai and Ziya Us Salam as participants.
Writer and journalist Anant discussed in detail Appreciating the Life and Works of Phanishwar Nath Renu, the Pride of Seemanchal. Professor Kamalanand Jha spoke at length on Contemporary Hindi Literature–Opportunities and Challenges. Professor Shafey Kidwai opined in a panel discussion on Challenges & Difficulties of Writing Fiction in Urdu, moderated by author Rahman Abbas.
Moderated by Professor Shafey Kidwai a book Tweet by Singaporean novelist and poet, Isa Kamari was released on the opening day. Kidwai said that Kamari’s novel Intercession is a first Malay novel to be translated into Urdu. Moderated by Dr. Nazia Hasan from AMU another panel discussion in the opening day on Gender in Fiction—the Role, Stereotypes and Similarities of Women in Writing had panelists Rheea Mukherjee, Abha Iyengar and Jayanthi Sankar.
First day of the fest concluded with a Mushaira in which poets Mushtaq Ahmed Noori, Nadeem Zafar Jilani, Rehana Nawab, Habib Hashmi and many others from nearby Araria region recited poems.
Second and concluding day of inaugural SILF began with a workshop on Creative Writing with an Emphasis on Short Story by Abha Iyengar. Development Economist Amir Ullah Khan spoke about Urdu Poetry and Hindi Cinema. He conversed with Ziya Us Salam in conversation on Urdu and its Causal Relation with Indian Cinema.
Percy Fernandez in conversation with Aditya Kripalani discussed Into the Wild while Nadeem Jilani in conversation with Zafar Anjum discussed Iqbal as a poet, philosopher and politician.
Moderated by Dr. Nazia Hasan, authors Rheea Mukherjee and Abha Iyengar discussed The Art of the Short Story. In conversation with Milee Ashwarya, Zafar Anjum discussed A Publisher’s Journey.
Moderated by Debanjan Chakrabarti, panel discussion on India and Indians in the International Imagination had participation of writers Isa Kamari, PN Balji, Jayanthi Sankar and Zafar Anjum.
Moderated by Rheea Mukherjee the evening session had book launch of Jayanthi Sankar’s collection of short stories, Horizon Afar. It followed with a talk An Evening with Aditya Kripalani on Music, Movies and Literature with Zafar Anjum’s introduction.
Anjum emphasised that “unlike several other literary festivals taking place in metropolitan cities SILF was organised in entirely rural setup to feel taking literature into the grassroots.” Majority Indians live in villages or small cities so this idea was worthy and attention seeking in a location that could touch common masses’ hearts and minds,” he said.
Kishanganj, Araria, Purnea and Katihar districts comprise of the Seemanchal region. An extremely neglected area in Bihar it still boasts remarkable achievement including being birthplace of globally famed Hindi writer Phaneshwar Nath Renu. Region’s diverse ethos is vivid in people’s lifestyles. They profess many faiths; speak several languages or dialects and maintain unity in diversity.
SILF received support from Insan School Kishanganj management and alumni, region’s book lovers & inhabitants, the British Council (Eastern India), Urdu Academy Bihar, and AP Foundation besides Kitaab International, Singapore.
Insan School Director, Shefa Syed Hasan said that “idea of SILF is an effort to further the vision of founder of INSAN Mission, Padma Shri late Dr. Syed Hasan. His contributions to enlighten this region with light of education can’t be ignored.”
SILF Founder-Director Zafar Anjum was born in a small village on the fringes of Kishanganj town. He studied at Insan School Kishanganj; AMU, Aligarh; JNU and IIMC, New Delhi and finally moved to Singapore which is his second home. He authored seven books that also include recent bestsellers.
“Organised in Insan School campus in northeastern Bihar’s Kishanganj, two-day long inaugural SILF session on 17-18 November was a huge success,” said Mr. Jamalul Haque, Co-Founder of SEO Content India, event’s media partner. Unlike metro culture, this international literary fest’s successful execution in rural setup in itself makes it distinct, said Haque further.
“Successful SILF fest witnessed spirit of humanity through literature for that inaugural session dedicated to region’s inhabitants,” said Mausoof Serwer, a SILF volunteer.
Films by Filmwallas and British Council were screened before Zafar Anjum had the closing remarks on the successful completion of first SILF fest.