The second day of the Chinar Book Festival 2025, being held at SKICC Srinagar till 10 August, unfolded with an enriching mix of literary discussions, cultural exchange, and children's activities. A strong turnout of readers, students, and visitors continued to engage with books, authors, and thinkers at one of the Valley's most vibrant literary gatherings.
Day 2 began with the 'Rajatarangini workshop', inaugurated by Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of the National Book Trust (NBT). The workshop marks the beginning of a unique literary project in which selected Indian authors will reinterpret key historical characters from Kalhan's Rajatarangini in the form of novels for young readers. Renowned writers from across India presented draft excerpts and engaged in collaborative discussions. NBT Chief Editor and Joint Director, Mr. Kumar Vikram, advised authors to focus on style, structure, and reader connection.
The day featured several impactful sessions, including two panel discussions as a part of Tamil-Kashmiri Samvad' under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, where speakers explored the lives and legacies of spiritual figures across geographies and centuries, building a unique poetic and spiritual bridge between the two regions. The panel discussion was led by experts on both Tamil and Kashmiri Literature, like Prof. Chellaperumal, Prof. Sajad Ahmad Wani, Prof. D Umadevi, Prof. Master Showkat AN and Prof. Rinku Pawar.
The conversation on "Cybersecurity: Your Shield in the Digital Age", led by cybersecurity expert Mr. Amit Dubey and moderated by Mr. Manoj Kumar Pandita, featured expert insights from Mr. Amit Dubey, shedding light on practical strategies and tools to tackle cyber risks. This enlightening session emphasised the need for awareness and vigilance in navigating the digital landscape.
The gripping book discussion on Mukhbir, authored by Brigadier Sushil Tanwar and moderated by Zafar Choudhary, offered insights into the book's themes of trust, conflict, and local realities in conflict zones.
The Children's Corner on Day 2 was a vibrant celebration of creativity, imagination, and regional heritage, offering engaging and interactive sessions that kept young minds joyfully involved.
The day began with Akh Kath - Kashmiri Folktales, an enchanting storytelling session by Vinita Zutshi, where children were introduced to age-old folk stories from the Valley, filled with magical creatures, clever animals, and age-old wisdom.
This was followed by Mural Art Magic!, where children worked on a canvas, depicting library shelves. The session blended brush strokes with the power of imagination, where children created inspiring book covers for their ideals.
A calligraphy workshop was also conducted by the renowned artist Malik Mukhtar, where children explored the art of beautiful writing in Urdu, with many experiencing the elegance of calligraphy for the first time. The session bridged language learning with artistic exploration, leaving a lasting impression on the young participants.
As the evening set in, Kala-e-Kashmir once again lit up the stage with its celebration, continuing the festival's cultural spirit. With musical performances by artists like Ustad Gulzar Ganai and Ghulam Ahmad Sofi, and an engaging theatre play by Saquib and his group, the evening was a rich portrait of Kashmiri art, music, and theatre.
Day 3 promises a lively blend of children's workshops, literary voices, folk traditions, radio nostalgia, and soul-stirring music , ensuring something for every curious mind and creative spirit. Literary and cultural voices such as Prof. Ghazanfar Ali, Satish Vimal, Sudhakar Adeeb, and Abdul Rashid Hafiz will also join us to enrich the festival.
The Chinar Book Festival continues till 10th August, offering daily cultural and literary experiences at SKICC, Srinagar. We warmly welcome the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir to join us in celebrating books, history, and storytelling.