The three day annual event celebrating women in literature kicked off on Thursday
More often that not, regional authors are not celebrated compared to English writers. Let alone female writers. Each year the Mumbai Book Festival is given a theme and this year it takes on ‘Women power of Indian Literature.’ A brilliant choice, especially given recent worldwide events that are tackling gender inequality. The theme will focus on women authors who write in over 20 different languages. India has a number of different regional languages that include; Hindi, Sanskrit, English, Bengali, Punjabi and Gujarati. Therefore, it is understandable that national authors may find it hard to reach out to wider readers at times.
Being an author can be troublesome as it is, but as a woman, in India, the desire to write can be even more inhibiting. Not only because of gender inequality, but also because of poverty and the exploitation of young women that can make it harder for them to follow their dreams. The festival is a celebration of the achievements of female writers, acknowledging that many of them have had difficult and challenging lives.
One of the biggest celebrations at the festival, will be of Bengali writer, Baby Haldar. Her start in life was not easy, she grew up in an abusive home, until she worked in the Gurgaon home of Prabodh Kumar as domestic help. Here, Haldar was introduced to the world of literature and her interest in books started to blossom. The bookshelves of Prabodh Kumar’s study were no longer secreted by dust and cobwebs as Haldar’s love for reading grew stronger and Kumar encouraged her to follow her dream. In 2006, she wrote her first autobiography in Bengali, which was soon translated into over 20 languages.
The festival will feature five male literary writers read their favourite women writers. An interesting session it will be to say the least, one that will include Mumbai based writer, Jerry Pinto. Keynote address, Aparna Sen, who is a filmmaker and actor, acknowledge the importance of the ‘female gaze’ in literature, and expressed that it is best conveyed by female writers. Women tend to have better sympathy and so therefore the plight of women who have been victim to abuse or objectification is better communicated by females themselves.
Mumbai literature lovers can see Halder this weekend, where they will be able to hear her stories. Here, she is to be honoured with the Woman Writer of the Year award. Other inspirational authors who will be at the festival are Nalini Jameela, once a sex worker in Kerala and now an autobiograhical writer who draws upon her search for dignity. The festival will be packed with brilliant and feisty women who will be waiting to share their stories.
