What comes to your mind when you hear the word JLF? Interesting books, peppy authors or else the vivacious crowd at the festival? What is it that draws you towards JLF- the never-ending love for literature or the glitz & glimmer of the renowned speakers? Be it anything, JLF is recognised as one of the most awaited literary fests of all. Amongst the bunch of attractions lined-up at JLF 2018, the major one remains the long list of women speakers who are all set to raise the temperature this January with their warm words.
Starting from 25th January 2018, the 11th edition of JLF is going to take place once again at Diggi Palace in Jaipur city. William Dalrymple, the famous writer & the co-director of the ZEE Jaipur literature festival, remarks, “2018 may be the best Jaipur ever, fielding an unrivaled literary ‘First Eleven’ made up of star poets and acclaimed novelists, historians and biographers, thinkers and dreamers and scribblers and critics, genii and half the faculty of Harvard. It’s an astonishing lineup and I can’t wait for the 25th of January to see it all become a reality.”
Around 250 writers, politicians, thinkers, creative enthusiasts and journalists from 35 different nationalities will be gracing the literature festival with their presence and passionate words.
Here’s a quick round-up of top 10 women speakers to look forward to at JLF 2018.
1. Rupi Kaur
Who she is: Canadian Insta-Poet & Performer
Claim to fame: Milk and Honey, The Sun and Her Flowers
What to look forward to: This inspiring & beautiful Canadian poet, who has made her mark in the literary world with her illustrative poetry. Her creative verses generally follow the theme of feminism, love & other interesting social issues. She has a strong voice with simplistic words. Her work ‘Milk & Honey’ has churned a huge amount of love in people’s hearts. She is an inspiration for every girl, who is bogged down by a bagful of insecurities like weight issues, peer pressure, rocky marriage and so forth. Having won a place on the NYT bestseller list for most of 2016, this lady knows when to strike the strongest.
When and where: 25th January, 05:15 PM – 06:15 PM, at the Front Lawn
2. Sujatha Gidla
Who she is: Author & New York City Subway Conductor
Claim to fame: Ants Among Elephants
What to look forward to: Based in New York, Gilda is one of the most awaited and celebrated writers of India. Brought up in a Dalit family, Gilda has penned down her experience in her latest book “Ants Among Elephants” which was made available in India in December 2017. The books narrates her personal experiences regarding the humiliation and problems faced by her due to her caste.
When and where: 29th January, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, at the Front Lawn.
3. Sudha Murthy
Who she is: Indian philanthropist and writer in Kannada and English
Claim to fame: A Dollar Bahu
What to look forward to: If there is a woman who has surpassed every struggle in her life with a brave face, then it’s the famous writer Sudha Murthy. Being a proud chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, the writer also has a bent towards social work & welfare. If you are looking for some real time motivation, then make your way to Sudha Murthy’s session.
When and where: 26th January, 10 AM – 11 AM, at Samvad
4. Amy Tan
Who she is: Novelist & Essayist
Claim to fame: The Joy Luck Club
What to look forward to: Talking about mother-daughter relationships and the Chinese-American experience, Tan has dazzled everyone with her intelligent thoughts and idiosyncrasies. Her perpetual contributions to the literature-world, in context of racial identity & intergenerational connections always churn the curiosity levels of the readers..
When and where: 27th January, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, at Charbagh.
5. Helen Fielding
Who she is: Novelist & Screenwriter
Claim to fame: Bridget Jones’s Diary
What to look forward to: Helen Fielding is the woman who has thrown an entirely different light on the 20th-century lifestyle perplexed with all the ups and downs. The woman has erupted a vivacious volcano in every youngster’s minds, with her outstanding descriptions of the trials & tribulations in a single, young & beautiful woman’s life.
When and where: 27th January, 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM, at the Front Lawn
6. Sonal Mansingh
Who she is: Indian classical dancer, Cultural Icon of India, Guru, motivational speaker
Claim to fame: Classical Dances
What to look forward to: The great Padma Vibhushan awardee Sonal Mansingh has achieved a lot in the world of Indian Classical Dance and would be gracing the literary fest as one of the speakers. A Padma Vibhushan Winner, Sonal Mansingh is like a living legend in the field of classical dance.
When and where: 28th January, 10 AM – 11 AM, at the Front Lawn
7. Abeer Y. Hoque
Who she is: Writer & photographer
Claim to fame: The Long Way Home
What to look forward to: Speaking of travel & literature, one name that comes to your mind is Abeer Y. Hoque. A Nigerian born, American-Bangladeshi writer, Abeer is famous for her work ‘The Long Way Home’ which is a travel photography & poetry monograph.
When and where: 28th January, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM, at Charbagh
8. Bina Kak
Who she is: Indian politician, Bollywood actress & Social Activitist
Claim to fame: Silent Sentinels Of Ranthambhore
What to look forward to: Coming from a land of politics & controversies, Bina Kak has more to offer. She made her debut with the film ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya’ and has worked wonders in many recent Bollywood movies. She was a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Rajasthan from 1985 to 2013, where she happens to work in diverse fields like Art & Culture, Forests & Environment, Women & Child development, etc. Brainchild of kak, Umang, is an NGO in Rajasthan for children suffering from brain damage.
When and where: 29th Jan, 4:45 PM at Charbagh
9. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Who she is: Writer & Entrepreneur
Claim to fame: Ale and Arty: The Story of Beer
What to look forward to: Being a successful biotech entrepreneur, Kiran Mazumdar is the chairperson & managing director of Biocon, which is Asia’s leading biopharmaceuticals enterprise. Being included in the esteemed list of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, she is a great force to be reckoned with. She is one global thought leader, who has authored the book Ale and Arty: The Story of Beer.
When and where: 28th Jan, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM, at Mughal Tent
10. Soha Ali Khan and Sharmila Tagore
Who they are: Bollywood actors
Claim to fame: Acting
What to look forward to: After a successful launch of her book “The Perils of Being Moderately Famous”, Soha Ali Khan is all set to express her engaging thoughts on The Perils of Being A Celebrity, at JLF this year. Accompanying her is Sharmila Tagore, another very famous name in the Bollywood industry. The mother-daughter duo will be talking about the less-known facts about the world of celebs.
When and where: 28th January, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM, at Samvad
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