Indo-American Arts Council inviting applications for Literary Festival

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The New York-based Indo-American Arts Council announced its upcoming Literary Festival scheduled for November 18-19, 2023, which it said, “will be celebrating and exploring the vibrant and diverse cultures of India through the written word, including works written by Indian and diaspora authors as well as those who have been inspired by the many facets of the country.”

It urged those interested to submit published books of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and children’s literature that illuminate this year’s theme Courageously Creative. Applilcations can be sent through iaac.us/books.

“We are looking for works that examine and showcase the beauty, challenges, complexity, diversity and richness of Indian culture and its relationship to society, history, politics, spirit and the human experience,” the IAAC said.

It said it accepts original works in the languages of India with English translations.

Chosen entries will be featured in New York City at an in-person event, featuring “renowned and emerging voices” accompanied by interactive discussions, and a series of recorded programs launched on its online platform.

In the past, the IAAC Literary Festival has hosted prominent authors such as Salman Rushdie, Suketu Mehta, Dr. Amartya Sen, Indra Nooyi, Barkha Dutt, Deepti Naval, Deepak Chopra, Anupam Kher, Rakesh Kaul, Dr. Ravi Shankar, Newbery Honor recipient Veera Hiranandani, Booker Nominee Avni Doshi,  Dr. Sudha Murthy, Narayan Hegde, Megha Majumdar, International Booker Prize winner Daisy Rockwell, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dr. Kailash Satyarthi, Kal Penn, Vishakha Desai, Anupam Kher, Ambassador Haksar and Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor, the April 16 press release noted.

It has also hosted book launches for eminent authors such as Ramchandra Guha, and Madhur Jaffrey, and in 2021 launched Acrobat by Nandana Sen, and the official biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.