On the banks of the Dal lake, books found an anchor in the Chinar Book Festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) from August 17 to August 25, the festival offered a rare opportunity for writers, poets and artists to engage with like-minded people outside the region, fostering intellectual exchange and cultural discourse.
Noted Kashmiri writer and poet Satish Vimal said that the festival “proved a trigger for intellectual stimulation in Kashmir as hundreds of people from all walks of life, including (Hurriyat chairman) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, visited the festival”. Vimal, known for his anthology of Hindi poems like Kaal Surya and Khoye Hue Prishth, highlighted the importance of such gatherings in promoting the literary and cultural heritage of the region. “Such events should be held regularly as they provide a platform for authors, poets and intellectuals to mingle and share their thoughts about the world of books, art, history and culture,”he said.
What took Vimal by surprise was the impact the festival had on youngsters. “It was heart-warming to see youngsters thronging the stalls and picking books of their choice,”he said. Agreed renowned Kashmiri literary figure Shaad Ramzan: “I thought Kashmir’s young were not keen on books and literature,”he said. “But after seeing youngsters attending the festival in good numbers, I am happy that interest in literature and books is still alive.”
Ramzan pointed out that works of Kashmiri writers had few buyers in the region owing to their price, but the festival had made these available at reasonable rates, encouraging greater participation. He praised the festival’s diverse offerings, which included discussions and poetry sessions covering topics such as Kashmiri sufism, language, history and culture. “The organiser, Amit Wanchoo, had a discussion with me before the event was held,”said Ramzan, who was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry collection Kore Kakud Pushrith Gome. “This festival has helped disseminate information about what Kashmir has to offer to the outside world in terms of literature and culture.”
The festival, a first of its kind in Kashmir, reignited the passion for books in a digital age. It featured more than 200 book stalls, representing more than 1,000 publishers across languages like Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri and English. Additionally, the event included a Children’s Corner with storytelling sessions, interactive workshops and a photo exhibition covering themes like ‘Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Through the Ages’, 25 Years of Kargil Vijay Diwas’and ‘National Space Day’.
After the event, Yuvraj Malik, director, NBT, India, thanked the people of Kashmir for their overwhelming support. “The Chinar Book Festival evolved into a vibrant celebration of art, culture and literature, drawing in students, families and book enthusiasts from across the region,”he said. “We are thrilled with the remarkable response and take pride in our mission to make books accessible to every reader in Kashmir.”
The festival was a reminder that, despite the challenges, the literary and cultural pulse of Kashmir remains vibrant.