Chinar Book festival returns to Sgr with focus on culture, languages & youth

Srinagar, Aug 01: The Chinar Book Festival is set to return for its second edition at SKICC Srinagar from August 2 to 10, promising a vibrant mix of literature, culture and youth engagement.The festival will host a wide range of activities including book discussions, literary talks, cultural performances, and dedicated children’s sessions all open to the public with free entry.Dr. Amit Wanchoo, the chief convener of the event, said the festival is more than a literary gathering. “It reflects the spirit of learning and cultural pride in Kashmir,” he said, adding that it serves as a common platform for writers, readers, and thinkers from across the country. Director of Information, Nitish Rajora, said this year’s edition has a strong multilingual emphasis. “We are highlighting the diverse languages of Jammu and Kashmir Dogri, Kashmiri, Urdu and more through books and literary sessions,” he said during a pre-event press briefing. The festival is being organised by the National Book Trust (NBT) of India in collaboration with the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) and the Srinagar district administration. Over 130 publishers and booksellers from across India are participating, offering a wide selection from ancient manuscripts to modern-day publications. Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman of NBT, said the event will blend tradition and innovation. “We are creating spaces where heritage and modern publishing go hand in hand,” he said.Yuvraj Malik, Director of NBT, said the festival aims to cultivate a deeper reading culture, especially among the youth. “After the encouraging response last year, we’ve expanded both the scale and scope of the event,” he said. A special highlight this year is a national seminar exploring Kashmiri literary traditions and multilingual heritage, including folk elements like songs, sayings and Rajanama. According to Dr. Shams Iqbal, Director of NCPUL, the festival not only promotes book culture but also fosters linguistic harmony. “This is a historic initiative that celebrates India’s rich linguistic diversity,” he said. Evenings at the festival will feature cultural performances such as Chakri, Bhand Pather, Mushaira, and theatre. Students from institutions like SKIMS Medical College, NIT Srinagar, Government Dental College and NIFT are expected to take part, along with notable speakers including Prof. Shakeel Romshoo, Prof. Neelofer Khan, Dr. Suresh Dutt and Mr. Waheed Jeelani, among others from the academic and literary fields.