The line-up of speakers and performers at the Chinar Book Festival at Srinagar is growing stronger day by day. The book festival has been much more than a book fair, where perspectives and narratives add value to the books at the stands. Speaking at the Literary Stage of the Festival, Chinar Talks today, renowned film director Vishal Bhardwaj expressed his deep connection to Kashmir. “I’m always looking for an excuse to come to Kashmir. The story could be set anywhere, but I want to film it in Kashmir,” he stated, reflecting his admiration for the region. Bhardwaj captivated the youth with anecdotes from his childhood and insights into his film career. He highlighted the importance of creativity behind the scenes in filmmaking, saying, "The real joy of filmmaking lies in the creativity behind the camera, which is why I chose to be a part of this world."
Emphasizing the influence of cinema on young minds, Bhardwaj advocated for establishing film clubs in schools, suggesting that children should watch inspiring films weekly. He encouraged the youth of Kashmir to showcase their talent on a global stage, saying, "Just as I learned new things when I moved from Meerut to Delhi, the youth of Kashmir can also make their mark in the world by unleashing their talents."
Bhardwaj also spoke about the unique allure of Kashmir, noting, “The air of Kashmir has a spirituality that draws artists and filmmakers. It’s crucial for the youth of Kashmir to tell their own stories through cinema.”
Passion for Writing in Professional Life
On the seventh day of the Chinar Book Festival, Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohi ud din Bhat spoke about his passion for writing, even amidst his demanding administrative duties. “When work becomes your passion, there is no distinction between day and night. Young people should nurture this passion within themselves,”. Deputy Commissioner Bhat further stressed the importance of allowing children to choose their own future paths, suggesting that parents should create an environment where children can thrive and follow their passions. Dr. Bilal also discussed his book on Environment and Ecology, highlighting the significant progress made in cleanliness over the last decade and urging the community to see cleanliness as a collective responsibility.
Jammu and Kashmir Police Telecom Director Manoj Pandit also shared his thoughts, emphasizing that the passion for a hobby or interest often remains unchanged throughout life. Dr. Suresh Kaul, a professional in the discussion, urged the youth to prioritize becoming good individuals before pursuing any profession. “First, know what you want to be,” he advised.

National Space Day Celebrations- The photoexhibition by ISRO at Chinar Book Festival was centre of attraction on the day India commemorated its first National Space Day on August 23. Thousands of children and young people visiting the Book Festival in the last 7 days, have visited the exhibition, learning about India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, ISRO, and the country's journey in space exploration. The exhibition included photos showcasing the development of Indian satellites, PSLV, GSLV, the regional navigation system, and key missions from 1998 to 2023, including Aditya L1.
Mushaira and Rock Performance goes hand by hand at Kala E Kashmir, the cultural stage of the Book Festival -
The festival was graced by the presence of renowned poets from Jammu and Kashmir, including Parvez Manus, Sabzar Ahmed Bhat, Surat Singh, Md. Mansha Khaki, Dr. Mudassir Ahmed Bhatt, Dr. Suresh Kaul, Fayaz Tilgami, Rozeshwar Singh Raja, Dr.Shayda Shabnam, Promila Manhas, Dr.Shabnam Ashai, Prof. Nirmal Singh, Dr.Satish Vimal, Gulab Saifi, and Tousif Raza. The poets recited poetry in Hindi, Urdu, English, Dogri, Pahari, and Gojri languages, and the youth enjoyed a performance by the band YUGM from Jaipur, visiting Kashmir for the first time.
Children's Corner is abuzz with Stories & Creative Skills
Jayashree Sethi, a renowned storyteller, and member of the Story Ghar Sanstha, emphasized the importance of stories in children's mental and emotional development. On Friday, she captivated the children with her narration of "Chironjilal's Story" and the Kashmiri folklore "Akhrot Aur Kaddu," using engaging character-acting techniques. Following this, Seema Wahi, , conducted a workshop where children learned to create various bookmarks as part of an Arts and Craft session.
Saturday Highlights
On Saturday, August 24, the Chinar Book Festival will provide the youth with an opportunity to meet the famous young musician,Rahgir. RekhaBhardwaj and Vishal Bhardwaj will also perform in the evening’sMahfil-A-Evening. Attendees will have a chance to engage with RJ Nasir, RJ Rafiq, and RupaliTalan as they share their experiences at Chinar Talks. Additionally, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts will lead a discussion on the architecture of temples and pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir. Litterateurs S. N. Pandita and Prof. Shad will discuss the intellectual tradition of Ramadan in Kashmir, while Vedic mathematics expert Vivek Kumar will conduct a workshop on Quicker Maths and the Department of School Education, Government of India will organise Orientation Porgramme for Rashtriya E Pustakalaya (National Digital Library for Children & Adolescents).