A treasure trove of literary delights awaits the visitors at Chinar Book Festival, with a range of genres including graphic novels, fiction, romance, drama, and Sufi literature taking center stage.
From young children immersing themselves in picture books to eager school students delving into fiction, and the youth exploring renowned international and local authors such as Kahlil Gibran, Khaled Hosseini, the festival has something to captivate every literary enthusiast.
The festival presents an invaluable opportunity for readers to explore the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir through a diverse collection of literary works, including poetry, dictionaries, and Sufi poems by eminent Kashmiri writers. The event also witnessed a surge in interest from students seeking academic resources for various competitive examinations, with a particular emphasis on career-oriented and academic materials.
Many are seen lined up for buying books to prepare for career-oriented exams such as GATE, NEET, JEE, NDA, CUET, Banking, and UPSC. Dr. Yogesh Chandana, a Vedic mathematics expert from Haryana, mentioned, "We are receiving a very positive response from students who are interested in learning Vedic mathematics.” There is also a stand selling washable and reusable books in English, Urdu, Maths etc.
At the Literary Stage, Chinar Talks about Kashmiri Architecture, Arts & Handicrafts, Veer Munshi, a renowned artist from Kashmir said – “There is a need to adapt to change according to time but we also need to preserve our traditional art, architecture, which is the identity of Kashmir. Change means adding new things to the design of your art, such as paper mesh, not ending art like paper mesh because of modernity."
In another session, the Dean, of the Faculty of Arts, University of Kashmir, Prof. Arifa Bushra discussed the role of books in the mental development of children and the need for support groups to be developed in the family.
At the Children’s Corner, the workshop on Emotional Intelligence and the Art of Conversation was a hit among young visitors who actively participated in the session.
An array of engaging activities has been curated, including storytelling sessions, workshops, and musical performances, creating an enchanting environment for the exchange of ideas and creativity.
Looking ahead, the festival promises an exciting lineup of events, including workshops on puppetry and letter writing for children, and insightful discussions on the great poets & writers of Kashmir. Tomorrow at the Chinar Talks there will be a spotlight on filmy stalwarts Aswath Bhatt, Mir Sarwar, Hussein Khan, and Mushtaq Ali in a session moderated by RJ Vijdan on “Lights, Camera, Kashmir: Exploring Theatre and Acting as Career Paths”. Additionally, Shadaj Band will be performing live at the cultural stage.