Aaj Tak is all set to host the Kolkata edition of its Literature Festival, Sahitya Aaj Tak, on February 17 and 18, 2023.
The Kolkata edition will include a number of well-known writers, scholars, authors, singers, actors, columnists, business executives, poets, and theatre performers. Over 2.5 lakh people visited the Sahitya Aaj Tak edition in Delhi in November to see over 300 luminaries from Literature, Art, Cinema, Music, Theatre, and Cultural activities. 1,200,000 additional registered for the event via walk-in/on-site registration.
The programme will begin with Anup Jalota’s performance of Saraswati Vandana. The debate on ‘’Bangali Durgay Ache, Ram E Nei?’’ will follow. (Bangaliyon me Durga hai, Ram nahi) where Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri would be in dialogue with Shankar. ‘’Banga Bhumi aur Hindi’’ will feature the conversation of three author-critics: Prem Shankar Tripathi, Prof. Manju Rani Singh, and Prof. Ramesh Mishra. Usha Uthup will deliver a presentation titled “Queen of Indian Pop,” while Surajit and Bhoomi Band will converse with singer Lagnajitta about the theme “Bengali band e bimukh!” Solo-e bhorsha holo?
Rudranil Ghosh will be in conversation with Kamaleshwar Mukherjee, Arindam Sil, and Bratya Basu during a session titled Cinemar raajneeti, Rajneetir cinema (Cinema ki rajniti, rajniti ka cinema). Anuttama Banerjee, a renowned psychologist and poet; Abhiroop Mukherjee, a poet, scholar, and columnist; and Souvik Guha Sarkar, a poet, author, and editor of the children’s magazine Meghmuluk, will discuss Digital Juge Premer Kobita (Digital yug aur prem ki kavita).
Singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo will talk on Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi, while Soma Bandopadhyay, poet-translator and Gautam Sanyal, poet-translator will discuss Bengal Ki Mati main Kavita. This will be followed by a discussion on Sarhad Paar Ka Prem featuring Alka Saraogi, Author and Recipient of Sahitya Akademy; Madhu Kankaria, author, and recipient of Bihari Puraskar, and Vijay Sharma, Author. The evening will comprise of Sur Sangeet with artist Sourendro-Soumyojit. Udit Narayan, known for his romantic numbers, will present his super hits, while Singer Javed Ali will perform at the event’s grand finale.