Kalinga Literary Fest Concludes. Usha Uthup, Laxmi Murdeshwar Puri Honoured With Special Awards

Kanishka Gupta's session on Laxmi Murdeshwar Puri's debut novel, 'Swallowing the Sun', delves into the book's themes and influences. 

Indian playback singer Usha Uthup also attended the festival. (Image Source: KLF)

Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) concluded on Sunday. The festival featured a variety of seminars, debates, and the recognition of literary figures, , according to an official press release..

Film director Rahul Rawail attended the festival with two sessions, exploring the legacy of Raj Kapoor. "The discussions delved into Kapoor’s idiosyncrasies, underrated movies, and his lasting impact on the film industry. Rawail shared personal anecdotes and insights," reads the official statement. 

Kanishka Gupta's session on Laxmi Murdeshwar Puri's debut novel, 'Swallowing the Sun', delves into the book's themes and influences. 

Another session, moderated by Prabhat Ranjan, explored the experimentation in Hindi literature. Panelists Pratap Somvanshi, Avinash Das, and Avinash Mishra discussed the evolving voices within Hindi poetry, urging emerging writers to embrace change and experimentation.

Ashwani Kumar led a discussion on Chandan Gowda’s book, ‘Another India’, delving into themes of cultural anthropology, caste dynamics, and modernity. The discussion provided insights into the diverse experiences captured in the book.

Panelists included notable Odia writers Ashwani Kumar, Angshuman Kar, Rabindra K Swain, Durga Prasad Panda, and Kedar Mishra discussed the origins of 'Scent of Rain,' an anthology of poetry in remembrance of the great Jayanta Mahapatra compiled by Ashwani Kumar. Prof. Kar underlined Mahapatra's importance in developing future poets, as well as his deep connection to Odisha.

Indian playback singer Usha Uthup also attended the festival. Reflecting on her journey, she stated: "I never engage in a battle with time; I embrace each moment, letting it shape its own harmony. The songs that came my way brought me joy, and I never fretted about overtaking the lead. If a song became a hit, that was my triumph.’ Usha Uthup, expressing her love for Odia music, added with a smile, ‘I would be delighted to sing some Odia songs if given the chance.'”

Speaking about the festival, Founder and Director of Kalinga Literary Festival, Rashmi Ranjan Parida said: “I believe in the transformative power of literature to shape minds, bridge cultures, and ignite the flame of curiosity. The Kalinga Literary Festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of the boundless potential of words to inspire, provoke, and unite humanity.”