Notes from Neev!

 

“Stumbled upon your next story?” was the theme of this year’s Neev Literature fest, an exclusive lit fest for Indian Children and YA literature at Neev Academy that was at its seventh edition this year. As we literally stumbled out of our cab and into our first steps into mixed media, a masterclass by illustrator Shivam Choudhary,  I noticed that NLF was getting bigger, brighter and boundless in the myriad opportunities it affords children to explore the world through books! Of course, it’s only been our third year at NLF, but we were delighted with the diverse and eclectic mix of riveting performances based on books, interestingly themed book launches, delightful book interactions, thought-provoking sessions for educators and parents, engaging master classes for children aged between 9 and 18 and heartwarming author interactions and book signings and more!  It was a wonderful confluence of authors, illustrators from all over the world, numerous publishers and creators of Indian children’s literature, along with the educators, librarians, parents and of course students of all ages, brought together under one giant marquee by Neev Academy at their campus in Bellandur. Systematically planned, well organised and creatively presented, we were truly spoilt for choices between a fun-filled session/ a performance at Kathashala, or an insightful discussion at Kahaanimanch, or our favourite author reading from her book at the Performing arts studio or a writer/illustrator or content-based workshop at the Masterclass or waiting in line to get our books signed at the Sahitya Santhe!  Another NLF initiative is the NLF Reading Challenge for young readers to read a list of “thoughtfully curated books” in a span of three months that finally culminates in a quiz at the lit-fest!  Not to forget the school adorned the charming aesthetics of a lit fest….every corner of the school had something fascinating to offer for book enthusiasts of all ages!  NLF is in so many ways, a torchbearer of children’s literature in India, and one of the pioneers in bringing together all the stakeholders of Indian children’s literature and also symbolises a sustained and sincere effort in “growing readers for life”!

 

Each year NLF shortlists books in various categories for the Neev Book Award and we’ve always picked out the shortlisted books and devoured them in no time! Of course as my little one is transitioning from early chapter books to middle reader books, our Neev book bag is becoming heavier and heavier each year! So much so that I had a minor fall and ended up with a sprained ankle owing to which we missed the second day of NLF 2024! The shortlist was as varied and inclusive as the festival itself and featured around three titles in each category from picture books to chapter books to YA reading.

Aadya and I were inspired reading about the art activist “Meera Mukerjee: Breaking moulds” by Vaishali Shroff and awestruck by Shivam Choudhary’s illustrations, an Art1st publication;  Enraptured with the paper cut illustrations and the empathetic storyline in the Karadi tales publication of “A Thousand Full Moons” by Shoba Viswanath and illustrations by Keerthana Ramesh;  Loved the playful yet deep meaning  of the Pratham read  “When we are Home” by Priyadarshini  Gogoi and illustrated by Pankaj Saikia.

 

Aadya is now into C G Salamander and Sheena Devaiah’s travelogue of mythical beasts across India in “From Makaras to Manticores”, a Hachette publication,   and next in line is to read about Bipathu’s love for football in “Bipathu and a Very Big Dream” by Anitha Nair, a Penguin publication,  and ready to learn about Tulika’s graphic series titled  “Unknown Heroes of India’s freedom Struggle” by P Sainath!

 

Aadya still has a few more years to go before she delves into YA novels - Andaleeb Wajid’s “The Henna Start-up”  by Penguin Random House and “Zen” by Shabnam Minwalla, a Duckbill publication, with the prolific writer Andaleeb Wajid winning the Neev Book award at NLF 2024. So “If you could live in one of these books during Dassera holidays, which one would it be?”

 

While the NLF weekend was physically exhausting as we couldn’t keep up with so many sessions and were continually harbouring a FOMO feeling (Fear of missing out!), we came out sporting super cool blue wrists bands, our minds uplifted, creatively inspired, and our hearts full!   Come September…. besides the start of festive season….we have the next edition of NLF to look forward to!