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ThE country's business and movie capital had a brush with contemporary literature last weekend, when it flagged off its first-ever fine print fest, hosting many emerging writers and even performer Anupam Kher. The festival — Literature Live — was open to the common people to facilitate participatory literature and exchange between writers and readers. Modelled on popular festivals like Jaipur Literature Festival, the Kovalam Literary Festival and Hay Festival, Literature Live was presented by Lavasa, a corporate group that promotes the township. It was anchored by columnist Anil Dharker and supported by Bachi Karkaria, writer Chetan Bhagat and several other arts and culture luminaries. Dharker, who conceived the festival, said it would be an "eclectic potpourri of literary genres to bring together some of the greatest Indian and international literary minds". Why did it take so long for Mumbai to have its own popular literature festival? "I thought about it a year ago. But I did not know then what I was taking on. The biggest challenge was to raise funds for the festival. It was not possible to pay people who were so dedicated to the cause," Dharker said. The festival will become
an annual affair. "Each place has its own character. Jaipur has
its own typical character and the literature festival there captures
the essence of the city. The same way the Mumbai festival will reflect
the spirit of Mumbai," Dharker said. Actor Anupam Kher presented
his autobiography in a monologue. — IANS
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