From powerful panel discussions to heartfelt readings and candid conversations, the Orange City Literature Festival in Nagpur celebrated literature, art, and human connection with unmatched spontaneity, and storytelling brilliance. Vinta Nanda reports…

Photography: Vinta Nanda  

The Orange City Literature Festival 2024 in Nagpur brought together celebrated authors, actors, and activists for two days of inspiring discussions and literary magic. Highlights included a powerful panel featuring Neerja Pathania, Neha Dixit, and Bela Bhatia, moderated by Koutilya Chhajed, and a moving session on Ramblings of a Bandra Boy with Joy Bimal Roy. Emotional readings by Ishaan Puri, Denzil Smith, and Nandita Puri captivated audiences, while a nostalgic discussion featuring National School of Drama alumni Yashpal Sharma, Pratibha Sharma, and Sushmita Mukherjee added depth and humour. With spontaneous conversations, poetry readings, and reflections on legendary figures like Bimal Roy and Om Puri, OCLF 2024 proved to be a must-attend event for literature enthusiasts.

The 48-hour whirlwind at the Orange City Literature Festival (OCLF) in Nagpur was an unforgettable experience, packed with engaging conversations, captivating readings, and moments of camaraderie. I was invited to participate in two exciting sessions, both of which turned out to be highlights of the festival.

A Panel of Powerhouses

The first session was a panel discussion featuring formidable women—entrepreneur Neerja Pathania, investigative journalist Neha Dixit, and human rights activist Bela Bhatia—moderated by clinical psychologist Koutilya Chhajed. The session delved deep into issues of social justice, personal stories of resilience, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary India. Bela Bhatia’s insights were particularly moving, offering a lens into her work and personal experiences (link to piece on Bela Bhatia).

Ramblings of a Bandra Boy: A Heartfelt Reading

The next session celebrated Ramblings of a Bandra Boy, a memoir by Joy Bimal Roy. I had the privilege of conversing with Joy before live readings by Ishaan Puri, Denzil Smith, and Nandita Puri. Ishaan’s debut performance was particularly poignant as he read an emotionally charged piece about his late father, Om Puri. His courage and composure struck a chord with the audience, many of whom were moved by the depth of his delivery. Veterans Denzil and Nandita brought their seasoned flair to the stage, delivering riveting excerpts that showcased the humour and poignancy of Joy’s writing.

The National School of Drama Revisited

Following this session, Nandita Puri moderated a discussion featuring actors Yashpal Sharma, Pratibha Sharma, and Sushmita Mukherjee—all alumni of the National School of Drama (NSD). The conversation explored their journeys through NSD and their understanding of acting as a craft. The session was a perfect blend of gravitas and humour, as the trio shared nostalgic anecdotes and insightful reflections. Yashpal and Pratibha concluded the session with readings from Pratibha's newly released book, Urban Naxal Biwi (link to report), adding a poetic touch to the discussion.

A Joyful Conversation with Joy Bimal Roy

The highlight of the festival for me was my one-on-one conversation with Joy Bimal Roy, which took place during the Ramblings of a Bandra Boy session. From the moment we met over breakfast, Joy was visibly anxious about the 20-minute conversation. As a filmmaker with decades of experience directing actors, I decided to take a different approach. I spent the hours leading up to our session engaging him in conversation, keeping him at ease while deliberately avoiding any discussion of the session’s content.

This strategy paid off spectacularly. Joy was spontaneous and captivating, walking the audience through anecdotes about his mother and her twin sister’s photography, exhibitions of which he is currently organizing across the country. He also shared stories about his father, the legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy, leaving the audience spellbound.

The session was a rollercoaster of laughter and introspection, punctuated by Joy’s brilliant storytelling. Despite his occasional attempts to shift the spotlight onto me, I kept steering him back to his stories, ensuring the conversation remained dynamic and engaging. The audience’s feedback confirmed what I already knew—it was an outstanding session.

Airport Conversations and Final Reflections

The festival concluded on a light-hearted note as I, Joy, and the team—including Akash Khurana and his brother—waited at the airport for our delayed flight. These impromptu conversations were captured on camera, adding a fun and spontaneous ending to an otherwise structured event.

The Orange City Literature Festival was a true celebration of literature, art, and human connection. The sessions were thought-provoking, the readings were emotional, and the camaraderie among participants added a layer of warmth to the experience. My conversation with Joy Bimal Roy remains a personal highlight, a testament to the magic that spontaneity can bring to storytelling. The festival left us all with memories to cherish and stories to tell, reaffirming the power of words to bring people together.

A big thank you to Dr Murnal Naik, the director of the Orange City Literature Festival.