The complexity of Leonardo Da Vinci’s creativity, the legacy of Raja Ravi Varma and glimpses into the lives of Irrfan Khan, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Pranab Mukherjee — these will be some of the promising sessions at the Jaipur Literature Festival, in February next year.
At an event held in Mumbai this week, festival producer Teamwork Arts shed light on some of the themes that will be explored at JLF’s 17th edition to be held in Jaipur from 1 to 5 February. It was also announced at the event that Crossword would be the official bookstore for JLF in 2024.
Addressing the audience at the event, writer, historian and festival co-director William Dalrymple said every year the event tried to “raise the bar” and that 2024 “will be our finest festival yet”.
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director (MD) of Teamwork Arts, added, “At the Jaipur Literature Festival, we inspire people through the power of stories. It is an opportunity to engage with a cross section of the arts, knowledge and innovation… a celebration of the joy of literature.”
What’s in store?
Two books of Ganesh V. Shivaswamy’s six-volume series Raja Ravi Varma: An Everlasting Imprint would be taken up in a session and the discussion will focus on the everlasting impact of Raja Ravi Varma’s creative journey.
In another session, museum curator, art historian and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, Luke Syson, will talk of Leonardo da Vinci’s reputation as an inventor and scientist, and the complexity of his creativity and personality that have sometimes almost overshadowed the importance of his aims and techniques as a painter.
Syson, through his acclaimed Leonardo da Vinci – Painter at the Court of Milan, has attempted to understand the complex nature of one of the most sought-after artists of the Renaissance period.
Also in store is a session on Irrfan: A Life in Movies by film critic and writer Shubhra Gupta. The book is a collection of conversations with the late actor’s contemporaries and their memories of him.
In another session, Pulitzer Prize winning historian Kai Bird will speak on his writing life and literary journey. Bird co-authored American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer along with the late Martin J. Sherwin. The book was the inspiration for the Christopher Nolan film, Oppenheimer.
Sharmistha Mukherjee’s biography Pranab My Father: A Daughter Remembers will also feature at the 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival, offering a fascinating glimpse into the illustrious life of the late Pranab Mukherjee, the thirteenth President of India.
There will also be a session on poet Gulzar’s works, through translator and writer Rakhshanda Jalil’s Baal O-Par – a definitive collection of Gulzar’s work, comprising six volumes.
The global journey of fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani will headline another session. His book, Journey to India Modern, written with journalist Alia Allana, will reveal the paths he took for his craft, and the significance of his luxury design studio in today’s world.
The spiritual history section would discuss several books that explore the sacred terrain of the high Himalaya and the timeless traditions of spiritual and mystic quests.
Also in store will be leading classicist and cultural commentator Mary Beard’s recent book, Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern, which explores how Roman art has shaped the Western world’s understanding of power for over two millennia.
In conversation with historian, writer and podcaster Tom Holland, she will discuss changing identities, deliberate misidentifications and the often-uncertain representations of authority.
This time too, the festival is offering an exclusive Friend of the Festival (FOF) package, which gives access to a private lounge, where one can unwind and mingle with speakers. The package also includes lunches and dinners, priority access to select sessions, and entry to the live music performances at the Jaipur Music Stage.
‘Friend of the Festival’ packages can be booked using this link:
https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/friendsofthefestival-registration
For further information on the Festival, please visit:
https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/