BANARAS (INDIA), Feb 7: The second edition of The Banaras Lit Fest: Kashi Sahitya Kala Utsav is set to kick off on February 10 at the Rudraksha Convention Center in Sigra, Banaras. 

The three-day cultural celebration promises an amalgamation of literary luminaries, artists, critics, storytellers, poets, musicians, dramatists, and intellectuals from diverse disciplines, music, theater, cinema, fine arts, and media.

Renowned figures such as Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjan, actor Ashutosh Rana, artist and writer Abid Surti, poet Alok Dhanwa, Sahitya Akademi awardee Arun Kamal, Uday Prakash, Badri Narayan, Udaya Narayan Singh Nachiketa and many others will grace the event. The festival will feature engaging sessions such as Kabi Sammelan - Mushaira, poetry reading, Batkahi, book discussions, Theatre performance, and meet-the-author sessions.

Chairman Deepak Madhok shares that the festival's exciting themes include Kashi Tumhe Naman, Vishwa Bhasha Ke Roop Mein Hindi, Vishwa Ekatva Ka Mool (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Prithvi Parivar), exploring literature, democracy, and nationalism. It promises a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees. He added, “The festival aims to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich literary and artistic tradition of Banaras”

English writers and journalists, including Ghazala Wahab, Utpal Kumar, Banibrata Mahanta, Atul K Thakur, and Omair Ahmed, will also be part of this literary celebration.

Brijesh Singh, the Festival Director, said, “The inaugural Banaras Lit Fest: Kashi Sahitya Kala Utsav, held on February 11-12, 2023, at Swatantrata Bhawan of BHU, received overwhelming support from literature and art enthusiasts in Banaras, India, and beyond. The upcoming second edition is made possible by the continued goodwill and expectations from our supporters.”

The festival's diverse program includes book discussions with Prof Rana PB Singh, Dr. Anand Singh, Rajshekhar Basu, Neeta Kumar, and Pradeep Narayan Singh. Padmashree Rajeshwar Acharya, Dr Nagendra Pandey, Dr Ramsundar Singh, and Acharya Chandramouli Upadhyay have extended their congratulations on the event.

On February 12, the Gomati Devi Excellence Award will be conferred upon seven individuals for their significant contributions in various fields, and 11 others will receive the Nav Bharat Sarjak Samman.