It's
that time of the year again, for people of all ages to descend towards an event
like no other in the capital of the nation. Penguin India's Spring Fever 2013 is taking place as I
write this post. The cozy and comfortable (there a cushions this year)
amphitheater of India Habitat Center, which just happens to be the epicenter
(see what I did there? Well, do a bit of research and you'll understand what I
am talking about) of Delhi's cultural movement, is once again playing host to
the event that has the town, along with a number of visiting authors,
talking.
Penguin India through its yearly festival Spring Fever brings together a variety of prominent literary 'celebrities' in events ranging from book talks to discussions to readings, at times combining all three in one sitting. Having attended the event last year, the biggest change I have seen is in the number of people who are aware of the festival and moreover attending it. While sitting at a talk yesterday that featured the humorous Ruskin Bond and the humble Sudha Murthy, it was a joy to see the audience being comprised of almost all age groups, including the very young and the very elderly.
Attending the festival for the second year straight, Spring Fever has definitely become one of the sort-after and most anticipated book festivals to be held in Delhi. So, if you are traveling and are nearby Delhi, do make it a point to drop in at the Indian Habitat Center at around 7:00 pm to immerse yourself in some literary goodness.
A Few
Pointers:
1. The events are open to all and are free of cost. Although, Penguin India requests everyone to register beforehand, just so that they are aware of the number of people who will be attending. 2. It's a good idea to follow Penguin India on their social media platforms or else visit their website from time to time, to stay updated with the events. 3. While all the events start at 7:00 pm, if you want good seats, rather if you want to sit at all, make sure you are at the venue by 6:30. 4. Spring Fever is also becoming a place for some celebrity spotting. No film stars yet (okay we had Anupam Kher last year promoting his book), but during the Ruskin Bond - Sudha Murthy event I spotted Mr. Suhel Seth quietly sitting and enjoying the readings along with the rest of the audience. 5. Penguin India also sets up a 'library' during the event that opens up at 11:00 am. You can visit it during the day and just sit around and read, or also buy books if you like. 6. Most book talks end with author signings. So, to save some time, if you plan of getting a book signed, make sure you get there early and buy the book before the event. That way you can skip at least the long line at the cashier and head straight for the signing once the talk ends. 7. Photography is allowed, so take your camera. I personally make small videos (see below) when the author recites a poem or reads an excerpt. It makes for a nice little memory.
And now for some photographs, sound-bites, and comments from the talk held on 18th March 2013 with Mr. Ruskin Bond and Mrs. Sudha Murthy.
"I
sometimes use the dictionary when I am writing" - Ruskin Bond being his
humorous best when a little girl asked him if children should stop and find the
meaning of a word while reading.
Although, both Mr. Bond and Mrs. Murthy suggested that the common practice should not be to stop a child to look up a word they do not understand as it breaks the flow and might discourage the child from reading in general. So, in short, don't read with a dictionary next to you.
Sudha Murthy said that the novels she writes are first written in Kannada, her mother tongue. She then usually leaves them aside for a year or two and keeps going back to them to make changes, and then slowly translates them to English. Whereas, articles and short stories are written directly in English.
Ruskin
Bond stated that he believes to be in the humorous stage of his life, even
writing wise, since as one gets older, life seems funny.
"As I'm getting older, my stories are getting shorter" - Ruskin Bond on writing Short Stories.
"I don't believe in ghosts, but I see them everyday" - Ruskin Bond on being asked if he believed in the supernatural.
Ruskin Bond reads Hip-Hop Nature Boy Ruskin Bond reads If Mice Could Roar Reading of Sudha Murthy's The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk
