Dr. Yash Goyal

JAIPUR (TIP):”Who is Indian and what is ‘nationhood’ was a big question that took centerstage during a conversation between Congress politician and author Shashi Tharoor and journalist Faye D’Souza at the first ever virtual edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival here on second day today.

Speaking on two broad concepts of nationalism, Tharoor replied, “One which is anchored in an identity defined by place of birth, ethnicity, language and religion or ‘identity nationalism’. ” The second which is linked to Constitutions and institutions – ‘a civic nationalism’, he added.

He mentioned how civic nationalism was first enshrined in the Indian Constitution after three years of debate and dialogue.

The conversation then traced India’s journey post Partition, and how the freedom struggle gave birth to a nationalism of shared sorrow. The duo also raised several other pertinent questions over the course of their hour-long conversation, related to delegitimizing dissent, conformity, and India’s cultural identity.

The session, titled ‘The Battle of Belonging’ takes inspiration from Shashi Tharoor’s book of the same name, and evaluates the historical and current political trends impacting the ‘idea of India.’ The book explores the changing interpretations of nationalism, patriotism, citizenship and belonging as well as the nature and future of nationhood. The duo, in turn discussed these themes and ideas in the context of the past, the present and the emergent future during their virtual conversation.

Inaugural

Hailed as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’ and the ‘Kumbh of Literature’, the Jaipur Literature Festival 2021, has begun on February 19 with an inauguration ceremony in which Rajasthan Minister of Art & Culture Dr B D Kalla said, “Despite Corona pandemic, JLF brings together a diverse mix of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business leaders, sports people, and entertainers on one stage”

“This collaborative approach is one of the key foundation pillars, he asserted. Rajasthan government specially the Art and Culture Department believes in this ethos and is always open to collaborating on such likeminded ideas and take the festival to other parts of the state like Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bharatpur as well”, he added.

Prasoon Joshi

The first session began with an insightful conversation between Prasoon Joshi, poet, songwriter and Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, and musician and scholar Vidya Shah.

The duo explored interrelated genres of Indian music during a session titled Across Genres: Classical, Folk and Popular Music. They discussed the importance of understanding, feeling, and getting lost in the beauty of music and art and delved into how the world would change if people really began to understand the importance of art.

“A person who makes art is important, but a seeker of that art is equally important. Art is beyond communication. These days, we have become too obsessed with the message. Maybe there is no message, and just losing yourself in the moment is all you need,” said the award-winning lyricist.

He also spoke of the struggles and limitations of a songwriter due to a shrinking lexicon. “I recently said to Gulzar sahib that the usage of beautiful and meaningful words has decreased from his generation to mine. I have fewer words now to convey my message. During his time, he had more words to describe and convey what he felt because people understood the meaning of those words.”

Vidya Shah echoed his thoughts and spoke of the importance of being attentive to the message while listening to music. She said, “The sheer range of emotions and the possibilities that listening to music can offer are immense. If we allow ourselves to submerge into that experience, the world will be a much better place.” Speaking about folk music, he said that it has the sense of the collective and is the work of the collective. “No one can lay a singular claim to it. The shine in folk music reflects the collective,” Joshi said, explaining how the finesse of folk music is a work of generations of artists. Many of our traditions are alive due to folk music, he added, explaining how there are songs that depict different occasions and values. Together, the two, who often broke into little renditions of musical compositions to elaborate on one idea or another, threw light on the cultural diversity as well as the intrinsic unity of this vast heritage and its new offshoots.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Joining a questionnaire on her book with Shobhaa Deon session ‘Unfinished’ or the session Priyanka Chopra, top Bollywood star, said, “When I came to Hollywood about six years back, I heard an ‘insider’ say that films with black and brown people in lead don’t do well. I was out to change that and look today The White Tiger is number one film on world’s largest streaming platform. We are a fifth of the world’s population and not to have a brown find the significant place in the mainstream entertainment is not done. I am glad to be a part of actors from South-East Asian Diaspora who are continually pushing the boundaries.” On being asked if she sees herself doing the Kamala Harris feat, she remained non-committal, “I don’t think that far in the future.”

Puppet Show 

Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) organized a colorful puppetry display today at the Central Dome at JKK. Mesmerizing puppet performances were given by 7th generation puppeteer, Shri Bengali Bhatt from the Jijot village of Nagaur district. The programme is being held from 11 am onwards and will be on till Sunday, 21 February. There are puppet demonstrations like Jogi Sapera, Magic Man, Raja Maharaja, Laila Majnoo, Chari Dancer, and much more. They were accompanied by Dholak and singing. The puppets are also available for sale. The programme aims to revive arts and artistes who have struggled during the lockdown period to earn their livelihoods. It is being held with the initiative of showcasing the inherent capacities of the art of puppetry to the audience. On the occasion, Shri Bengali Bhatt said: “We make these puppets by hand. The faces are painted and the outfits are also carefully crafted by us. This craft has been passed down in my family through the generations. We travel both in the country and abroad performing shows everywhere. The Covid pandemic brought with itself many struggles for performing artistes. However, we are hopeful that slowly with people venturing out of their homes our fortunes will change.”