Literature without boundaries

This past month I had the opportunity to experience the joys of the written word across different templates and demographics within Mumbai From the stately Royal Opera House to a swish township a literature festival and an art gallery each space and idea discussed books using innovative approaches that offered interesting takeawaysThese instances of experiencing literature in its freest forms make me hopeful that these creative geniuses who help spread its wings find stronger propellers to take these ideas further cross more expansive boundaries and encourage newer readers in our timestrapped hurriedharried cityA post highlighting the popular Book Swap at Literature Live The Mumbai LitFestThe launch of Absolute Jafar Sarnath Banerjeersquos book at the Royal Opera House offered a quirkycool example Music theatre graphic art formed one helluva jam session The audience perhaps astutely reading the template in advance turned out to be an eclectic mix of theatrewallahs artists cultural watchers and literary heavyweights The session offered a heady synergy of varied thoughts all centred on a bookCut to a childrenrsquos picture book art exhibition which we mentioned in our column a few weeks ago It was held in a gallery that had magically transformed into an interactive space where young minds and countless adults too seemed to have had a blast soaking in the visual play of art with the written word for nearly 10 days It was a sight to spot firsttimers to books of this nature gaze in wonderment at blownup versions of illustrations that doubled up as exhibitsFrom left Kiran Rao Sarnath Banerjee and Imaad Shah at Banerjeersquos book launch PICSPICKLE YOLK BOOKS LITERATURE LIVE FIONA FERNANDEZThe recently concluded Godrej Literature Live The Mumbai Litfest was like in its past editions a hattip to the cityrsquos large reading community who attended it in droves Young old wheelchairboundhellip They were all spotted heading from venue to another to listen to their favourite authors and speakers If one needed a single screenshot to gauge Mumbairsquos literary heft this was the place to beFinally and most recently I was invited to interact with a community in a swish township of a planned suburb that was a curtain raiser for an annual literature festival It offered a fascinating lens Wellheeled folks and their kids seemed fairly curious to discuss books at 11 am on a Sunday The answers flowed queries about writing books came thick and fast pointers were shared about home libraries Given that the suburb didnrsquot have a bookstore in its immediate radius this was a comforting takeawayWhile we have some catching up to do as compared to say Delhi Kolkata or Bengaluru when it comes to bookstores and literature festivals one hopes that such imaginative concepts created by these literary guardians continue to draw more readers to the foldRemember erstwhile Bombay prided itself in its philanthropic character This generosity and vision led to the building of some of its most prominent cultural and public landmarks Now would be an opportune time for the city to rekindle that spirit so these individuals and platforms are offered sustained support The rushed Mumbaikar could do with more such inspiring oases to enjoy the written wordmiddayrsquos Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the cityrsquos sights sounds smells and stoneswherever the ink and the inclination takes her She tweets bombayanaSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper