Sights

Jeet Thayil, the author of 'Nacropolis' and 'The Book of Chocolate Saints', opened up about himself and his characters to the audience present in the session. He talked about how he had merged many real instances and a lot of experiences in his recently launched book. While talking of the protagonist, Xavier, in his recently launched book, Jeet says, "It's not easy to love him till you see the human engine that drives him. Dislike is the most genuine response to the guy till you stop seeing him from others' perspectives".

Sights

The power-packed session saw a panel of five SMEs in various fields come together to debate on what is fake news, where it originates, who does it benefit and overall how to limit it. The audience experienced a very lively discussion with views and facts and facets brought in by the panel. The discussion invoked many untouched issues and sensitized the audience of the same.

Sights

The musical genius of Mr Zakir Hussain was unfolded through conversation amongst the august panel comprising of Mr. Zakir Hussein, Ms. Nasreen Munni Kabir with Mr. Shantanu Ray Chaudhari and Mr. Bickram Ghosh. The session chronicled Ustaad's journey through several years and roles that he took up as a musician, a director and an actor and about the role of classical music in the Indian society.

Sights

Mr. Ruskin Bond recollected his old times and had a very engaging and interactive session for students in the age group 9-12. He shared stories about his school days, about his writings and his take on comics, book turned into movies, teachers and managing studies. He discussed at length about nursery rhymes, his love for Wuthering Heights and science fiction authors like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and also encouraged children to take interest in writing.

Sights

The session comprised of the writers who at some point of their writing career have faced huge resistance from society as a whole or from a sect of society. They have been blamed, written down and even been banned but they have never agreed to be put down. The discussion primarily involved around controversies that arise when a writer expresses something out of the normal and how the acceptance in Indian society is lower as compared to the countries like UK, US etc.

Sights

“Films are resemblance of expressions. The scenes you see may be totally unrealistic, but it’s just about the resemblance”
-Shabana Azmi

Sights

The session focused on how Europe as a country has countries with cultures, mindsets and beliefs so diverse that problems are inevitable. The writers put across their own perspectives on brexit and economic problems in Europe and also how these problems affect literature and the world of Journalism.

Sights

Sagarika Ghose, Devapriya Roy, and Priya Kuriyan in a revelatory session discuss their generations’ standpoint on the legacy of Indira Gandhi. An interesting exchange of perspectives at its finest!

Sights

“I had to take my t-shirt off, to show my mom that the stones she gave me were actually working. I showed all I had.” - Sourav Ganguly

Sights

The wave of nostalgia made its way to the Victoria as Konkana transported her audience to the quaint little town of McCluskiegunj, the setting of her film 'Death in the Gunj'. She reminisced her childhood days and how those memories have shaped the film. The movie is based on a story by her father and received wide acclaim for the beautiful cinematography and an evocative music and background score.

Sights

The intensely expressive Rupi made the evening come alive with the snapping of fingers. The Instagram sensation bedazzled the audience with her poetry readings on love, life and much more.

"When I am passionate about something, I become obsessed with it" - Rupi Kaur