Indo-American Arts Council to hold virtual literary festival

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The sixth annual Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) Literary Festival taking place from Dec. 4 -13, 2020 will celebrate diversity in literature influenced by the Indian subcontinent.

Authors will come together over the course of 10 days to present their literary works. Run in the virtual space, readers globally will be able to experience internationally renowned authors discussing their work, according to a press release from IAAC.

This year’s theme for the festival is “Stories of Humanity” and it will feature international bestselling and award-winning authors.

“Our Literary Festival promises to have blockbuster book launches, with stories that will move the heart and the mind,” IAAC Vice-Chairman and author Rakesh K. Kaul is quoted saying in the press release. “This carefully curated selection reflects IAAC’s unique sense and sensibility, which pays homage to the principle that grand stories unite us and are forever.”

“The IAAC Literary Festival celebrates our voices that have been shaped by the Indian ethos and experience,” said Festival Director Nili Lakhani. “Notwithstanding these unprecedented times, our stories capture our collective shared experiences that have reshaped our perspectives and uplifted us. We are especially proud to present the young, emerging, powerful authors from within our global community.”

Internationally acclaimed actor Anupam Kher will launch his new book Your Best Day is Today in-conversation with British Indian author Jay Shetty (Think Like a Monk).

Indian American Avni Doshi will discuss her 2020 Booker Prize nominated debut novel, Burnt Sugar. Megha Majumdar will delve into her New York Times’ bestselling debut novel, A Burning, with writer Eshani Surya.

Film journalist and film festival director Aseem Chhabra will discuss his newest book, Irrfan Khan: The Man, The Dreamer, The Star, an emotive look at the artistic and personal life of the international star, in conversation with film critic and television host Rajeev Masand.

Other famous authors at the festival will include, Diksha Basu (Destination Wedding), Oliver Craske (Indian Sun), Sopan Deb (Missed Translations), Ambassador Haksar, Balli Kaur Jaswal (Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widow), Rajiv Malhotra (Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power: Five Battlefields), Dr. Pratapaditya Pal (Quest for Coomaraswamy: A Life in the Arts) and Sejal Shah (This is One Way To Dance),

IAAC Chairman Dr. Nirmal Mattoo pointed to the wide-ranging and inclusive programming in this year’s festival allows for an even greater range of participation.

Featuring both debut authors and established voices, the IAAC festival puts a spotlight on various topics including spiritual journeys, the challenges and joys of translation, the power of claiming one’s identity, mental health issues, the intimate creative lives of beloved artists and performers, and emerging threats to individual freedom, the press release noted.

Each evening of the 10-day festival will include two in-conversation events and many of the featured authors will have their premiere launch at the festival.

Visit https://iaac.us/iaac-literary-festival-2020/ for the complete festival lineup, including dates and times for every presenting author.