10th edition of Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob [ABSU] wraps up with insightful discussions on diverse topics

The 10th Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob celebrated Bengali literature, art, and culture with eminent personalities and vibrant discussions in Kolkata.

on Nov 19, 2024

Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob [ABSU] is India’s first Bangla Literary Festival curated by the iconic Oxford Bookstores. The milestone 10th edition of the ‘Utsob’ concludes after three days of intriguing discussions based on varied topics. Over 30 leading names and minds in various walks of life - like literature, poetry, arts, cinema, politics and more graced the festival that began on Friday, 15th November 2024.

The third day of the festival explored the rich tapestry of Bengali literature, poetry and cinema, delving into the works of renowned luminaries. The day commenced with word games with school children, followed by a session on story-telling that catered to all age groups. This set the tone for the upcoming session that discussed the evolving landscape of poetry, its role in contemporary society, and the challenges faced by poets today. The following session sparked energetic discussion on the art, craft and ethics of sports journalism, while a boiling discussion on bureaucracy and intricate politics intertwined in the lives of bureaucrats. Day 3 of ABSU also honoured the centenary celebrations of Narayan Sanyal & Mrinal Sen.

Addressing the audience, Swagat Sengupta, Festival Director and CEO, Oxford Bookstores said "The 10th Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsav has been a resounding success. It's been a privilege to witness the vibrant exchange of ideas, the celebration of literary excellence, and the enduring spirit of Bengali literature. As we conclude this milestone edition, we're committed to continuing this legacy and inspiring future generations of readers and writers."

The Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob over the years have brought together renowned authors, poets, and literary critics, offering diverse range of literary experiences. As the 10th edition of the Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob [ABSU] drew the curtains, marking another significant milestone in the journey of Bengali literature. It provided a powerful platform for the evolution of Bengali literature and laid the foundation for its enduring popularity among the masses.

The 10th edition of ABSU hosted a plethora of Bengali litterateurs and eminent personalities like Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Subodh Sarkar, Pracheta Gupta, Anupam Roy, Satabdi Roy, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Bhagirath Misra, Aveek Majumder, Sudhangshu Dey, Tapan Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Swati Guha, Kiran Dutta, Alokprasad Chattopadhyay, Siladitya Sen, Gautam Bhattacharya, Dipanwita Ray, Rupak Saha, Anima Brahma, Caesar Bagchi, Hindol Bhattacharya and Shyamali Acharya among others.

K. C. Das, Saptapadi, and Cha Bar supported 10th edition of ABSU as Refreshment Partners; Shabdabaaji, Surojit-O-Bondhura Kobita Club, Counter Culture, and Dipanjan Ghosh Entertainment supported the festival as Session Partners.

About Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU)

Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU), India’s first Bangla Literary Festival (i.e. Utsob in Bangla) created by the century old Oxford Bookstores in 2015, honours the rich literary tradition of the Bangla language. The objective of ABSU, a prized initiative of Oxford Bookstores, is to make Bangla literature increasingly visible and accessible, build an audience for Bangla books and create a culture of readership and familiarization with Bangla language among the youth. An interactive platform bringing together voices of contemporary Bangla Literature from the national and international stage, ABSU showcases all aspects of Bangla literature and literary expression and their impact on various art forms. ABSU is committed to the journey of Bengali Literature which is both exciting and exhilarating and have hosted eminent personalities over the years to grace the festival. They include renowned authors like Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, Pabitra Sarkar, Samaresh Majumdar, Sankha Ghosh, Pracheta Gupta, Ranjan Bandhopadhyay, Sanjib Chattopadhaya, Saikat Mukhopadhyay, Anjan Dutt, Anindo Chattopadhay, Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, Srijato, Binod Ghoshal, Himadrikishore Dasgupta, Anish Deb, Krishnendu Mukherjee and Subodh Sarkar; film Directors like Suman Mukhopadhyay, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Arindam Sil; Bengali musicians Nachiketa, Surojit Chatterjee, Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta, Rupam Islam; Actors Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Barun Chandra, Parambrata Chatterjee, Chandan Sen, Kheyali Dastidar and Sohini Sengupta. The festival has also attracted prominent literary personalities from Bangladesh like Selina Hossain, Imdadul Haq Milan and Sadat Hossain.

About Oxford Bookstore

Established in 1919, Oxford Bookstore is one of the oldest heritage bookstores in the nation. It is India’s only bookstore to curate multiple literary festivals like Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob, and Hindi Sahitya Utsav. The Oxford Bookstore not only offers book lovers access to the very best books and ambience but also India’s first-of-its-kind tea boutique, Cha Bar. At Oxford Bookstores, success is measured by the smiles on millions of happy readers that the brand has served over the last 100 years. Each time you walk into our iconic store in Kolkata, its old-world charm leaves you enchanted and desiring for more. Our fleet of ‘happy to help’ knowledgeable booksellers and conversant hosts work round the clock to bring to our vendees world-class reading experience. Be it through our books or our fine teas we abide by the brand’s motto – Much more than a bookstore – at every Bookstore.