#Bookaroolitfest
Let me tell you how my #srinagarstories happened.
On a hot afternoon, there was a call wondering if I would say ‘Yes’ to a fabulous opportunity.
To be amongst some varied and multi-dimensional Bookaroons who would bring with them the immersive world of Books and would light up this magical place called Srinagar with their presence in this thoughtfully curated Litfest.
I was getting invited to speak at this prestigious gathering with two workshops for the age groups of 10-12 and 12-14 years. This was my second outing with this wonderful team
The head said ‘No’ and the heart was always a ‘Yayy’
The heart won and the head then made cautious and copious notes
It all started with acing those nagging fears and taking a leap of faith!
And then prepping for the trip, finishing pending work, assuring family and shushing doubting Thomases
I finally landed on a beautiful Saturday morning in a city that has hogged the headlines for all the terrible reasons.
As I inhaled lungfuls of the fresh Kashmir air, so very unlike the exhaust fumes of G-Town, I was hit with contrarian emotions. I was like an excited child waiting for her goody bag wondering what magnificent presents it held, and what myriad gifts I would receive but I also had dragon-sized butterflies doing a violent flamenco because I barely knew anyone.
But as they say, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it and I chose to be brave.
The drive to the venue is great but the venue - Delhi Public School, Srinagar - set across sprawling 12 acres of land with the backdrop of beautiful mountains is breathtaking. Without a doubt, one of the best spaces for many an engaging discussion on literature for children.
Once I reached the fest and met the brilliant and diversely talented Co-Bookaroons, it felt as though I was with my tribe, where strangers became more than acquaintances and mere pals turned closer friends.
Plus I had to do what I like the best - telling stories to young ones and making them write some stirring takes on the traditional tales that I would narrate.
Who says LitFests are only for chatathons?
Once the sessions were over, we let our hair down and zipped to the famed Dal Lake, the landmark Clock tower at Lal Chowk, feasted on the local cuisines, guzzled the traditional Kahwah, stuffed ourselves till our insides were ready to burst
We managed to pack in a day trip to the spectacular Gulmarg as well.
Seeing the snow peaks up close on a riotous and rapturous canvas painted by the Lord himself is a treasure-worthy experience in itself. I am extremely grateful for the weekend I have had at Srinagar.
As we all spent a cosy evening savouring the enormous spread by the gracious hosts, the Dhars, who are the force behind DPS Srinagar, we couldn’t help but wonder why a place that is said to be heaven on earth has had so much turmoil and bloodshed over its ownership.
Writing for children and adults gives me the privilege of attending litfests of both. I had a great time being amongst distinguished authors, storytellers, illustrators, and creativity specialists who engaged the young with various innovative exercises transforming Srinagar into a hub of creativity and wonder.
The bracing air of Srinagar, the love and warmth I received, the scenic venue of the festival and our stay, and my passionate and receptive young attendees, made this literary experience all the more memorable.
Happy to share that my sessions where I explored the timeless appeal of stories, by delving into how themes of love, friendship, hatred, and villainy resonate across generations, have been mentioned in the press coverage of Bookaroo, Srinagar.
Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must’ve done something good
All it took to lose my heart to Kashmir was to get rid of my biases built by the mainstream media and WhatsApp University.
Truly peace does come dropping slow and when it does, hang on to it.
Anupama Jain, who writes for both children and adults, is the author of 5 well-received books (Padma-Paula Series and Katha Sarita Sagara Books) and 13 anthologies across genres, one of which is a LIMCA book record holder as India’s first Composite Novel. She is also an acclaimed community builder, mentor, educator, creative writing consultant and multi-award-winning blogger across various coveted forums.
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