Jaipur:
The sixth edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2013, the high profile gathering of litterateurs in Asia, kicked off today. Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the festival every day.
The LitFest has been surrounded by controversy with fringe elements objecting to Pakistani authors and supporters of Salman Rushdie. But the state government says all arrangements have been made to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly.
Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were amongst those present at the inauguration. The inaugural session "O To Live Again", played to an overflowing house on the front lawns of the heritage resort of Diggi Palace, which has been hosting the festival since 2005.
The culture and music stage has been shifted to a hotel this year to make room for more literary events and people. "We can accommodate another 5,000 more people this year," a senior functionary of the festival said.
There are 283 authors participating in the LitFest amid heavy police presence following threats from extremist groups. "We are not here to be bullied," said event producer Sanjoy Roy.
The coming five days will see literary sessions addressing subjects as diverse as cinema, sensuality, Buddhism in literature, Afghanistan, extremism, art, yoga, poetry, Shakespeare, philosophy, James Bond, women's issues, politics and the Arab world.
At least 40 women writers from all over the world will discuss aspects gender justice and empowerment.
The flavour of India will dominate the festival with an extravagant spread of vernacular literature in 17 languages, including Bengali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Magadhi, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Sanskrit, Santhali and Urdu.
The hype around literature and the presence of big names generate brisk business in sale of books every year. A book stall set up by Full Circle drew dozens of first-time buyers who went on virtual shopping spree to get books autographed by their authors.
"The spirit of Jaipur has changed from the royal pink city of the Rajputs and the Mughals to a democratic literary destination," said a visitor.
(With inputs from IANS)