The best, but unknown English writers in India

The best, but unknown English writers in India

Elizaveta Pogodina

Thiruvanthapuram: The two–day literary festival of English writers in India, “Indian Ruminations Literary Fest 2011” concluded today at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan here. About 70 writers and poets from different parts of India were present.

Literary fest held at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan

            The festival was organized by Indian Ruminations, a monthly literary web-journal specially dedicated to Indian English literature with a focus on young and unknown writers. The main theme of the festival was “Exploring Indian Alternatives in Reading and Writing”. Writers of both prose and poetry from all over the country exchanged their views, ideas and thoughts about the problems of Indian literature in English.

            Writer and poet Anita Nair, who inaugurated the festival expressed regret that Indian English writers do not get acceptance like foreign writers.

            K. Jayakumar, additional chief secretary of Kerala government, asked the Indian publishers to promote the native english writers. He underlined the importance of the role of interpreters in familiarising the English books by Indians.

            ‘Roots and Wings’, an anthology of Indian women poets' writing in English, edited by Annie George, was released in the festival. Two books – ‘Of the lesser known' by Anu Joshy and ‘More beads unstrung' by Anna Maria were also introduced in the festival.

            Indian Ruminations Literary Awards were presented on the first day. In English writing section Amit Upadhyay from Delhi bagged the best fiction award for his book ‘Evil is Evil, Good is God.' Nayanathara from Kerala received the best English poetry award for ‘The Scent of Frangipani.' The best Malayalam poetry award was won by Rajesh Chithira for his ‘Unmathathakalude crash landingukal.' Ajoykumar M.S and Sulfikkar shared the best Malayalam non-fiction award for ‘Angane oru mambazha kalam' and ‘Nithya Chaithanya yathi randu sanyasikalkkayacha kathukal'.

            After the award ceremony there were discussions on the themes, ‘Exploring Indian Alternatives in Reading and Writing' and 'Introduction of poets and poetry reading.'

            Panel discussions were also held on the future of literary publishing in India and book reading. The festival ended with a feedback session.