Edition of Lit-O-Fest at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai on February 20 & 21, 2016

·        On-the-spot publishing contracts like never before

·        120 manuscripts from all across the globe

·        Felicitating – Sh Narendra Kohli and Sh Kiran Nagarkar with Lit-O-Fest Living legend awards

·        Live poetry sessions, Tie-up with Children film society of India (CFSI)

·        Spotlight sessions on Fiction/ Crime / Terrorism / samman vapasi se jude vivaad / has feminism lost it / money laundering by Ram Jethmalani

·        Launch of Shatrughan Sinha’s autobiography, ‘Khamosh’

Mumbai, 12th Feb 2016: Last year Indian authors and book lovers found a new haven at Lit-O-Fest, Mumbai’s literature carnival that left an indelible imprint in its very first edition.  In its second edition now, The Lit-O-Fest 2016 organized by E-Bizz Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd is more enriching and grander. This year the fest will be held at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, on February 20 & 21, 2016. In addition to arts and literature, Lit-O-Fest will also showcase various forms of music and dance. “Lit-O-Fest is a one of its type initiative with a difference with a philanthropic perspective as this is an only platform where one-the-spot publishing contracts are signed with deserving authors. Last year, total 8 books were selected by the jury and were published by Vani Prakashan, Harper Collin, Jaico and more for free publishing. This year we are going to be increasing the numbers”, shares Smita Parikh, Festival Director, Lit-O-Fest and Co-Founder E-Bizz Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd. The company focuses on designing, managing and delivering the creative, production and administrative components of diverse range of events to deliver flawless events across the globe since last 14 years.

Lit-O-Fest, this year had conducted a manuscript contest which was held on the social media platform, which has got almost 120 manuscripts from all across the globe including places like United Kingdom, UAE and United States. These manuscripts will be shortlisted and finally be taken up for publishing contracts by the publishing partners. She further adds, “During the year 5 more authors were awarded publishing contracts. The goal is to also help them understand the technical aspects of writing and publishing through several seminars”.

With a unique format offering fourfold takeaways, ‘sabha’ i.e. discussions and workshops, ‘sammelan’ i.e. exhibition and art display, ‘sanskriti’ through plays and performances, and ‘sammaan’ implying awards and felicitations; the festival is truly one of its kind. For audience across sections and regions, the festival ensures uninterrupted flow of ideas, live music sessions, interactive workshops and a space to dare, dream and imagine. Like last year, this year’s festival will have the country’s leading authors, artists, singers, filmmakers, bureaucrats and dignitaries as guests and panelists, and will host insightful discussions and delightful cultural events to engage and entertain audiences. This two day festival will be focused on offering every writer an equal opportunity and space to be seen, heard and published.

The 2–day festival will see discussions and participation by eminent personalities like Narendra Kohli, Kiran Nagarkar, Rajdeep Sardesai,  Ashwin sanghi , Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai, Flavia Agnes, Smita Parikh  among a host of others taking part. Lit-O-Fest will see the  special 50th showcase of the famous play “Ek Mulaqat” based on the real-life love story of literary geniuses Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam is been revealed in a storytelling medium. The play brings together veteran actors Shekhar Suman and Deepti Naval together on stage. Lit-O-Fest will also see added attractions like live performances by talented students and young artists performing live music, singing, dance, painting, mime, theatre, etc. This year Children film society of India (CFSI) is also associated with Lit-O-Fest. Two Children films will be screened and a seminar will also be hosted with MD of CFSI, Dr Shravan Kumar, Satish Kaushik, Luv Ranjan and other renowned film makers to discuss the future of children movies in India alongwith workshops on child abuse and teenage parenting issues.

The two day fest will unfold some spotlight sessions and workshops on Hindi language like, ‘Hindi Kavita Ka Saundarya’, Hindi Sahitya, Pathakon Ka Abhaav, Bhasha ka Pradushikaran, Sanman vapasi se jude vivaad/paksh-vipaksh, hindi sahitya aur mathadheeshi, Kavita Path- Sadiyon Ka Safar. Birth and survival of a character, The Tagore Legacy, Terrorism and its effects on the society, Is music losing its melody due to the technology driven compositions, Journey of a book-From Paper to the celluloid, Poetry -its nuances in Urdu language, the Chanakya Secrets, Shakesphere is forever, The Rape Prone zone – Attitude and Law, Has the idea of feminism lost its glory and more. The Day 2 will also see the launch of Shatrughan Sinha’s autobiography, ‘Khamosh’.

Saurabh Daftary, Founder of E Bizz Entertainment Pvt Ltd explains, “Lit-O-Fest is extraordinary in every sense. From the time we conceptualized it, the plan was to do the unthinkable – to put established, emerging and minority writers – all on one platform for the very first time! With engaging sessions with some iconic authors the festival diligently allocated equal space and attention to the young and talented English, Hindi as well as Regional language authors. With Book Designers, Painters, Illustrators & Musicians all under one roof, we have set out to create a never-seen-before literature carnival for everyone.

The ‘Quadrangle’ space at the venue will see lateral events like Live band, Live poetry, Dance Workshop, Live painting, Live sculpture.

For complete schedule visit: http://www.lit-o-fest.com/schedule.html