"Laugh and Let Laugh" - SneakyArt of JLF (Day 2)
I tried to beat the crowds with strategy on Day 2. I skipped the morning music session, leaving the incredible Usha Uthup to entice the stray visitors that take up all the good seats. But all for naught, as this morning’s session on Adi Shankaracharya had plenty of good seating. I learned a lot of things I didn’t know.
My favorite session of JLF was right after this, at this same tent. I didn’t need to move!
A good session is as much about a good moderator as it is about enthusiastic speakers. I really wanted to hear where these amazing writers considered the fountain of their creativity. It was wonderful to see them enunciate their ideas thoughtfully and with the earnest attempt to communicate with the audience. It was entertaining, enlightening and I wish it had lasted twice as long.
“As a species, we can’t help but see stories everywhere”
I was intrigued to hear some of the sessions on Indian history. History is being re-written around us all the time, so it is imperative that we also hear from some of those writing it, about how they write, how they read, and what they are trying to communicate with their work.
In the afternoon, the crowds really packed in. One of the most heavily attended sessions was that of master-poet, hasya-kavi Ashok Chakradhar. He spoke about his life, his work, his philosophy behind staying positive. I stood next to Mr. Pushpesh Pant during this session, and he took a sneaky photo of me drawing!
I realized something hearing the words of Ashok Chakradhar.
“You can’t really win an argument against an optimist”
I was very happy at the end of Day 2. The weather had been good, I learned a lot of new things, I saw a lot of cool people. And I was going to Masala Chowk to have galawti kebabs. Good, good, good.