Kanpur, October 17, 2022: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur hosted “Akshar” – An IIT Kanpur Literature Festival, jointly organized by “Shivani Centre for the Nurture & Re-Integration of Hindi and Other Indian Languages”, “Rajbhasha Prakoshth” (Hindi Cell) and “Gaatha” – An Audio Hosting platform and a SIIC, IIT Kanpur incubated company, from 14-16 October, 2022. The three-day festival kick-started on Friday at the Outreach auditorium at IIT Kanpur, in the presence of invited dignitaries and IIT Kanpur faculty. Renowned media professional, and Founder and Editor -In-Chief, Her World India, Ms. Rakhee Bakshee; and Executive Editor of Hindustan Ms. Jayanti Ranganthan graced as the chief guests for the inaugural session. In its first iteration, this 3-day festival commemorates the beginning of the centennial year celebrations of the life and works of renowned Hindi novelist Smt. Gaura Pant, well known by her pen name 'Shivani'.

The opening ceremony was followed by a discussion by Dr. Rakesh Shukla from DAV College, Kanpur, on the most celebrated literary works of Shivani. Besides this, there was a story recital of Shivani’s most famous stories by Katharang – A Storytelling Group.

An introduction to Syed Haider Raza Saheb’s paintings was given by Dr. Shatarupa Roy from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kanpur, and author Dr. Hriday Gupta. Syed Haider Raza Saheb’s paintings were displayed at an exhibition held parallel to the event. The Kavya Sandhya event saw the graceful presence of eminent literary personalities, such as, Dr. Kamal Musaddi, Mr. Viru Sonker, Ms. Hema Dixit and Mr. Rajesh Arora.

Different exciting events like the Kavi Sammelan under the “Open Mic” brought the IIT Kanpur residents together and gave all the aspiring artists an opportunity to showcase their talent, an interactive story-telling session with renowned storyteller Ms. Mehek Mirza Prabhu kept the audience hooked to world of imagination; whereas, the panel discussion among literary experts Dr. Shambhunath Tiwary, Mr. Rahul Shivoy, Mr. Kamal Musaddi and Mr. Navin Joshi on the topic “Aaj ke Daur Mein Saahitya ki Prasangikta” made the audience aware of the contemporary importance of literature.

The Women’s Association of IIT Kanpur came forward to host an event “Shivani Apne Pathakon ki Nazaran Mein” in which, audience were given a chance to share their views on the works of Shivani.

The concluding day of the Literature Festival had Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur addressing the contemporary importance of literature in providing rich opportunities to not only literature as a subject but also to teach critical technology. He highlighted the life of Shivani and the significance associated with her works. Shivani’s daughter Ms. Mrinal Pande, and nephew Dr. Pushpesh Pant, along with Shri Satish Mahana, speaker of UP Assembly, were present for the inaugural session on the concluding day. An iconic figure in Hindi journalism, an author, former Chief Editor of Hindustan, Padmashree Mrinal Pande, and celebrated Indian academic, food critic, historian, and Padmashree recipient Dr. Pushpesh Pant, spoke about the life and precious compositions of late Shri. Gaura ‘Shivani’ Pant. In this session titled "Diddi par baatcheet: Shivani Ji apne bachhon ki nazron se", they gave glimpse of the pioneering journey of Shivani in writing Indian women-centric fiction of the 20th century.

“Aparadhini – An Enactment” - a stage adaptation of one of Shivani's most popular stories by Theatre Group Nisha from Chennai was performed by actress, playwright and director Ms. Meera Sitaraman. The Maha Kavi Sammelan – “Kuch Alfazon ki perwaz” featuring several renowned poets like R. Naresh Saxena, Dr. Praveen Shukla, Dr. Keerti Kale, Dr. Slesh Gautam, Dr. Vishwanath Vishwa, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi and Dr. Sushila Puri, marked the conclusion of the 3-day event.

The event was accompanied with art exhibition and a book fair by leading publishers.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with 527 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.

IIT Kanpur to host Akshar – a Literature Festival, commemorating the life of Hindi novelist Padma Shri Gaura Pant, better known as ‘Shivani’

Kanpur, October 12, 2022: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur is organizing Akshar – An IIT Kanpur Literature Festival at IIT Kanpur, Outreach & Main Auditoriums from 14th – 16th October 2022. The Literature Festival, the first of its kind at IIT Kanpur is being jointly organized by the Rajbhasha Prakoshth, the Shivani Centre for the Nurture and Re-Integration of Hindi & Other Indian Languages, and Gaatha – an audio – hosting platform and an SIIC, IIT Kanpur incubated company.

In its first iteration, Akshar is celebrating the commencement of the centenary year celebrations of the life and works of pre-eminent Hindi novelist Smt. Gaura Pant better-known by her pen name ‘Shivani’. She was one of the most famous Hindi novelists whose novels were read ardently by scores of readers throughout the country and also translated in other languages. Shivani ji was also one of the pioneers of women – centric fiction novels who presented the women in her novels as very strong and rooted characters.

The 3-day event will be marked with a celebration of the life and works of Shivani ji. It will be graced by the participation of eminent literary and academic personalities of the country like Dr. Pushpesh Pant, Dr. Mrinal Pande, Prof. Shambhunath Tiwari, and many noted poets and performers like Sh. Veeru Sonker, Pankaj Chaturvedi, Dr. Naresh Saxena, Praveen Shukla, Shlesh Gautam, to name a few. A book fair with some leading publishers would also be organized alongside the event.

Few highlights from the event schedule include a discussion on the literary works of Shivani ji, a Kavya Sandhya on the evening of 14th October 2022; a panel discussion on “Aaj ke Daur Mein Sahitya ki Praasangikta” on the 15th and a MahaKavi Sammelan on 16th October 2022. There will also be an Open Mic on the 15th October 2022. Besides these, there will be a story recital of Shivani ji’s most famous stories by Katharang – A Storytelling Group and an enactment of Shivani ji’s story ‘Apradhini’ by ‘Nisha’ - A Theatre Group.

The events on the first two days (i.e., 14th – 15th October) will take place in the Outreach Auditorium, IIT Kanpur and the last day (i.e., 16th October) will take place in the Main Auditorium.

The event is expected to familiarise the attendees with the various facets of Hindi literature in general and the life and works of Shivani Ji in particular. The Literature Festival and the Book Fair will also be open to public from outside the IIT Kanpur campus in limited numbers.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with 527 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.