Day 1 of HLF sees workshops on educators and ecosystems, plays on communal harmony

Hyderabad: The 15th edition of the Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) kicked off on January 24 (Friday) at Satya Knowledge City and T-Hub in Hyderabad. Celebrating literature, art and culture, the three-day event will feature over 200 speakers, 15 streams and a wide range of workshops, exhibitions and cultural programs, all free and open to the public.

Sindhi in focus for HLF-2025

HLF continues its tradition of focusing on one Indian language and one guest nation each year. This year, Sindhi is the Indian language in focus and Lithuania is the guest nation. The festival also strengthens new streams introduced last year, such as Indigenous and Endangered Languages, Climate Conversations, and Science and the City.

Workshops and sessions

1. Waterworld(s): Celebrating River Ecosystems

Speakers Anindita Majumdar and Asif Qureshi, in collaboration with IIT-H, conducted the workshop on river ecosystems. They emphasised the importance of reimagining relationships with rivers and preserving their ecological significance.

“Rivers retain their civilizational ethos as repositories of human settlements and bountiful life,” they stated.

2. Twenty Traits of a Teacher

Sultan Ismail led a session discussing the evolving role of educators.

“Education should satisfy the needs of future generations by moving from fact-based teaching to complex problem-solving,” Ismail noted, adding that teachers must act as facilitators of knowledge rather than merely completing syllabi.

3. Superheroes, Shapeshifters, Invisibility Cloaks and Us

Sejal Mehta explored wildlife’s ‘superpowers’ in this engaging workshop. She highlighted creatures like shape-shifting octopuses and venomous cone snails.

“Our urban spaces are teeming with wild creatures that have remarkable abilities. You don’t need a national park ticket to observe them,” Mehta said.

4. Journeying with India and the Natural World

A conversation between conservationists Asad Rahmani and Bittu Sahgal delved into India’s biodiversity and its preservation. They shared personal struggles and triumphs in their efforts to protect India’s natural heritage.

“India’s biodiversity is exquisite and fragile. Protecting it requires collective responsibility,” Rahmani emphasised.

Cultural performances

1. Urmila by Adishakti

This play explored themes of autonomy and consent through the lens of Ramayana’s Urmila. The performance examined the struggles of women across time periods.

“Urmila’s journey is a commentary on power dynamics and the cost of obedience,” shared Praveen Biswas, an attendee.

2. Ibaadat: Exploring Communal Harmony and Gender Equality

Kathak dancers Barkha Patel and Tanveer Alam presented this duet, reflecting on diasporic experiences while staying rooted in distinct gharanas.

“Our collaboration fosters kinship while respecting our lineages,” Patel said.

3. Songs of Migration and Exile from the Thumri Repertoire

Vidya Rao performed Thumri compositions that depicted themes of separation, migration and exile.

“These songs embody the pain of being uprooted and the longing for a sense of home,” Rao explained.

Focus on typography and art

1. Book Design and Typography in Contemporary Telugu Publishing

Ragini Siruguri shed light on the evolution of Telugu script in print and the challenges faced in digital typography. “Economic and technological hurdles often overshadow artistic choices in Telugu book design,” she said.

2. Samvaad: A Synergy Between Pen, Brush, and Depiction

Dr. Radha Kumar explored links between literature, art, and dance. She connected Buddhist ethics and Natya Shastra to Ajanta paintings. “These art forms converge to create a common narrative,” Kumar stated.

Upcoming highlights

• Odissi and the Geeta Govinda

Dr Ileana Citaristi and Nayanthara Nanda Kumar will present a session on Odisha’s cultural landscape, complemented by a dance demonstration.

The festival, which has consistently ranked among the top five literary events in India, aims to provide a platform for artistic and literary expression while engaging the community in meaningful conversations.

For more details or to register, visit hylitfest.org.