Bhubaneswar: Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Literary Meet, back in the city for its Sixth Edition, celebrated the Odia language on the second day of the three-day festival. A special session on the legendry Manoj Das and his contribution to Odia literature had leading authors Jatindra Nayak, Gourahari Das and Sangram Jena in discussion. The Bhubaneswar Literary Meet, which celebrates not just literature but all allied cultural activities including music and theatre, also had a session today to celebrate India’s Nightingale – Lata Mangeshkar. 

On Day 2 of the Literary Meet, the event started with Tony Joseph and Sujaan Mukherjee discussing on the history of migrations that made India. Apart from the enthralling sessions celebrating the Odia language and regional art and culture, as well celebrating Manoj Das, the event also recognized the immortal legacy of Lata Mangeshkar in the presence of Sonam Karla, Antara Salil Choudhury and Surya Deo. In the evening, celebrated thespians Lillete Dubey and Ira Dubey performed ‘Lockdown Liaison’ at the Rail Auditorium.

On the concluding day, sessions will be held to celebrate the centenary of Satyajit Ray. IT legend Nandan Nilekani will speak with co-author Tanuj Bhojwani on his forthcoming book ‘Art of Bitfulness’, while Rahul Bose and Jayant Kripalani will discuss the impact of web series on big screens. Discussions will be held on wildlife tourism in a post pandemic world with author Bikram Grewal through his new book. Women’s writings have been celebrated and discussed across all of Tata Steel’s Literary Meets, and in this edition Sahitya Akademi awardees Yashodhara Mishra, Sanghamitra Mishra and Hiranmayee Mishra will be discussing women writers writing on women’s issues. The event culminates with a musical evening with Sonam Karla.

Malavika Banerjee, Director, Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Literary Meet said, “We are extremely happy to be back physically with the Tata Steel Literary Fest to the culture-loving people of Bhubaneswar. I am humbled that stalwarts like Manoj Das and Lata Mangeshkar were remembered through their rich immortal legacy that they left behind them in the Literary Meet.”

The Sixth Edition of Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Literary Meet is being organised at Bhubaneswar Club from March 11- 13. The festival was inaugurated yesterday by Odisha’s celebrated poet Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath. On the inaugural day,the audience had the privilege of interacting with Ruskin Bond in a unique discussion on writing in a world that is moving towards podcasts and audiobooks. The audience was also informed about the various Ghost, Monsters and Demons of India through Rakesh Khanna’s latest novel.