http://www.navhindtimes.in/galf-2014-promises-goans-broad-literary-treat/
Full version of official release: The fifth anniversary edition of the pioneering Goa Arts and Literary Festival will be its best ever, with strong delegations from Australia, Singapore, Nepal and Pakistan, as well as the finest writers, poets, artists and musicians from around India. GALF 2014 will honour Dr. U. R. Ananthamurthy, who inaugurated the first edition in 2010. Since inception, GALF has distinguished itself as a unique labour of love and collaboration between The International Centre Goa and volunteers from the vibrant Goa Writers group. Over the past 5 years, this uniquely independent and non-corporate (and non-profit) event has grown in stature and significance while retaining its emphasis on serious deliberations and convivial atmosphere, as well as consistently showcasing the brilliant talent from regions usually considered the margins: Kashmir, the North-East, and especially our own Goa. GALF attracts the best talent from around the world: Nigerian-American writer Teju Cole, Punjabi-American rapper Himanshu Suri, Guyanese-American writer Gauitra Bahadur, Pakistani novelist Bilal Tanweer, and French graphic novelist Hugo Wild have all made their international debuts here in Goa. Many important books have also had their exclusive release at GALF: Naresh Fernandes’s history of Indian Jazz, Ranjit Hoskote’s translation of Lal Ded, Meera Kosambi’s compilation of D.D. Kosambi’s writings, Goa’s own Amriuta Patil’s latest graphic novel among many others. GALF 2014 will have many highlights. Rajdeep Sardesai’s hotly anticipated account of the 2014 elections, Janice Pariat’s debut novel “Seahorse’, and the newest books by Githa Hariharan and Dilip D’Souza will be released. The artist, novelist and translator (from Hindi) Daisy Rockwell will mount her first ever art exhibition outside the USA (incidentally, she is Norman Rockwell’s grand-daughter), and veteran Indian-American rapper Chee Malabar will make his Indian debut. The distinguished laureate of Singapore, Prof. Edwin Thumboo will read new poems inspired by Goa, author Gopalkrishna Pai will discuss his epic novel ‘Sapna Saraswata’ tracing the Goa-Mangalore diaspora, all-time great of Carnatic music T.M. Krishna will discuss his groundbreaking new history of the genre, and Ranjit Hoskote, Arundhathi Subramaniam, Mustansir Dalvi and Sridala Swami will read from their acclaimed new books of poetry. This year Nepal has shot into attention with a series of outstanding new books: a broad delegation from Kathmandu (led by Indian diplomat/ writer/ artist Abhay Kumar) will highlight new books by Prashant Jha and Thomas Bell and the burgeoning literary and artistic scene of that country. Australia is another country in focus at GALF, with a multitalented team of indigenous writers/artists featured in a separate time slot each day. A special food showcase will celebrate the best food books and authors of 2014: Aparna Jain, Rushina Munshaw Ghildyal, Pamela Timms and Lourdes Tirouvanziam-Louis. Exciting panel discussions will feature Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, Sagarika Ghose, Musharraf Farooqi, Kavery Nambisan, Dr. Vrinda Nabar, Naresh Fernandes, Mini Krishnan, Mahesh Rao, Keki Daruwalla, Dileep Jhaveri, Dr. Alka Pande, Antara Dev Sen, and many others. As with every edition since 2010, GALF will strongly emphasize the writers, poets and artists from our own state. Subodh Kerkar will create the official artwork, and special panels and readings will be held each day in Konkani and English to focus on Goan literature. In addition, special workshops and interactions are being designed for students of all ages, from kindergarten through college, where writers from all over the world will be available for discussions, questions and answers, and advice and pointers on the universe of literature. -- #2, Second Floor, Navelkar Trade Centre, Panjim, Goa Cellphone 9326140754 Office (0832) 242 0785
