LIT FEST 2024

Bhaswati Goswami is Delhi based poet, educator, anchor, dancer and a theatre actor. Her bilingual book of poems ‘Bhabna College & Moon In The Block’ was published in 2015 at Kolkata Book Fair. She is a translator and has the credit of translating Rasheed Kidwai’s political history ‘24 Akbar Road’ in Bengali. Her new collection of series poetry ‘Tumi Takey Baranda Bolo’ has ventured in the new horizons of modern poetry. She is a regular guest-poet and panelist at the literary meets held in Delhi, West-Bengal and Bangladesh. Her works have received accolades from the poetry communities of England, Germany and U.S.A.

Inder Salim was born in Kashmir and is presently living in Delhi. He has published two poetry books. THEY (45768 Words on Kashmir and Elsewhere) (2022) & Postcards to Gaza (2023) As a performance artist, he has performed all over the world for the last 25 years and is reputed for his photography and video art as well. Currently, he is the visiting faculty at AUD and other universities in India.

Seema Jain is a bilingual poet, short story writer, translator, editor, critic and reviewer. Ex-Vice Principal & Head, PG Dept of English KMV Jalandhar, she has fifteen published books that include 5 collections of English and Hindi poems, two edited books, three books of translated poems, two translated novels and two edited poetry anthologies on 21st Century Indian Women Poets (one published by Sahitya Akademi). Her poems are globally published in more than 130 Anthologies, including Stanford University's digital pandemic archives. Seema is a recipient of many prestigious awards. She has worked with and recited her poems for Sahitya Akademi's Annual Festival of Letters--Sahityotsav 2023 & 2024, the FOSWAL literature Festival and the DC South Asian Literature Festival.

Trina Chakraborti is an acclaimed poet from India, regularly contributing poetry, short stories, and essays to various magazines in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. She has authored six poetry collections and edited one book. In addition, she has actively participated in numerous poetry festivals across India and internationally. Her notable invitations include programs organised by Sahitya Akademi, Hindi Academy, Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature, Kalinga Literary Festival etc. in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Ajay Kumar Samir is a well-known artist based in New Delhi. He has completed his BFA in Painting from the College of Art, Delhi. His artworks are also part of the collection at the National Gallery of Modern Art (Delhi), Lalit Kala Akademi, Rastrapati Niwas (Shimla), Prime Minister’s House, Sahitya Kala Parishad (Delhi) and at many more significant locations. Ajay Kumar Samir is known for showing the devotional as well as spiritual interconnectedness of humans with the divine. His works are immersed in the figurative representations of humans as well as different facets of human expressions. He uses the shades of black, grey, white, and red and pixelated faces to highlight facial expressions. There is a certain sense of serenity in his figurative paintings that allows the spectators to amalgamate oneself with the higher power.

Samir is also known to connect with poets and translate their works into artworks with his understanding and perception of their work. He did a series on Gulzar sahab poems. In Delhi or Mumbai . Both shows opened by Gulzar sahab. One of another poetry based show with great leader and poet Shri atal bihari vajpayee ji when atal ji was PM . Samir did paintings on atal ji poems and exhibited in Delhi. Atal ji invited him with his family at his PM House,7 race course road,. Samir constantly tries to preserve the relics of the traditions and rituals. His artworks have hugely been impacted by the Indian folklore there is a certain sense of Indian-ness reflected in his paintings. It portrays his belief systems as well as his identity as an Indian which is deeply connected to human emotions and cultures.

Samir’s work has been admired by Satish Gujral and Samir too has adored the master’s work during his learning days, both as an artist as well as hailed him as his inspiration for most of his works. While talking about Samir’s works, Gujral says, “ There are a few whose creativity dares to walk on the edge and be able to preserve the link with the past and yet endow their work with an individual character which to my mind is the only hallmark of modernity. One such artist is Ajay Kumar Samir, his works are fluent and admirably competent. At the same time, there is an unmistakable stamp of Indianness.” He did 25 shows all over India . And around 250 groups show all over the world. Ajay Samir has many achievements to his credit and one which stand tall is that he is an early achiever of all India national award of AIFCS new Delhi, critics choice award, kala shree award. And many more.

Indra is a sales and marketing professional and currently works as the national head with Hindustan Times. He is an alumnus of the prestigious MDI Gurgaon and has worked with leading brands across industries. Poetry for him is a passion as well as an escape. He writes poetry in English as well as Hindi and his first book of poetry- “After Sunset”- was published in 2022. He performs regularly in various poetry forums of Delhi/ NCR and his poem had found a mention in the Wingword Poetry Contest 2023. He believes “ There is a poet in each one of us, it is just a matter of time [before the poet is heard].”

Rahul Gaur is a versatile writer, crafting poetry and prose in both Hindi and English. With a deep interest in literature, poetry, and languages, he professionally works in industrial marketing and holds degrees in engineering and management. His poetry has been featured in anthologies like “Sahityapedia Corona Poems”, "Amity Peace Poems" and "Wives." His Hindi poems earned accolades in the 2023 "Awaaz aur Alfaaz" competition by 1000Words.in. His writings appear in prominent publications and on his blog. He engages with book clubs, poetry circles, radio programs, and theater, and hosts a podcast, "Majhdhaar," available on major platforms. Passionate about photography, his work is showcased on Instagram.

Seema Jain is a bilingual poet, short story writer, translator, editor, critic and reviewer. Ex-Vice Principal & Head, PG Dept of English KMV Jalandhar, she has fifteen published books that include 5 collections of English and Hindi poems, two edited books, three books of translated poems, two translated novels and two edited poetry anthologies on 21st Century Indian Women Poets (one published by Sahitya Akademi). Her poems are globally published in more than 130 Anthologies, including Stanford University's digital pandemic archives. Seema is a recipient of many prestigious awards. She has worked with and recited her poems for Sahitya Akademi's Annual Festival of Letters--Sahityotsav 2023 & 2024, the FOSWAL literature Festival and the DC South Asian Literature Festival.

Yaseen Anwer is a polyglot Indian poet, translator and cultural activist. He founded Delhi Poetry Festival in 2012 and Kaafiya in 2015, and is Festival Director for the same. He is an engineering drop out by choice. Felicitated with "Young Poet Award 2012" by the Indian Poetry Society and 100TPC. As a literary benefactor, he has chaired several sessions as a speaker / feature poet/ moderator/ guest poet at premier educational institutions and literary festivals. He is translating the classic work of poetry "Muhajirnama" (Plight of Migrants) by Munawwar Rana into English.