Love in a Time of Vitriol – Narratives of Inclusiveness

The closing ceremony of Apeejay Lit Fest 2017 took place at the iconic St. John’s Church which is situated at 2/2, Council House Street, BBD Bagh.

St. John’s Church was originally a cathedral. It was among the first public buildings erected by the East India Company after Kolkata became the effective capital of British India. St. John’s Church served as the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta (Kolkata) till 1847 when it was transferred to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The octagonal Moorish style tomb of Job Charnock is also situated in the precincts of the church.

This Anglican Church became the venue for discussion on the topic “Love in a Time of Vitriol – Narratives of Inclusiveness.”

Picture:- Sukanta Paul

Along with other speakers, Hazi Syed Salman Chishty of Ajmer Sharif gave a brilliant talk on inclusiveness. Hazi Syed Salman Chishty comes from the dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti which contains the domed tomb of the saint.

He belongs to the Chishtī Order, which is a Sunni Sufi order. The Chishti Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness. Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti is also known as Gharib Nawaz (Benefactor of the Poor). He served the poor of all sects.

“Prince Dara Shikoh (or Shukuh), the Sufi son of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan, was able to affirm that Sufism and Advaita Vendantism (Hinduism) are essentially the same, with a surface difference in terminology.”

One of the cardinal belief of Sufis is divine love.

“The heart of a mystics is a blazing furnace of love which burns and destroys everything that comes into it because no fire is stronger than the fire of love”, says Khawaja Muinuddin Chishty.

 

Hazi Syed Salman Chishty  said that “A person who loves God, unconditionally loves his creation.”

At Ajmer Sharif “Logo ka Kheyalo ka bhi kheyal rakha jata hai”. i.e care is taken to respect the feelings of people also. That is why people of all sects are served vegetarian food at community langar instead of Beef or meat dishes traditionally eaten by Muslims.

Inside Dargah Shariff two big Deghs (pots) are installed for cooking Niaz (purely vegetarian food; cooked with rice, ghee, nuts, safron & sugar).

He also said that Sufis believed in the path of moderation.

He said that Sufi tenants remain within the hearts and minds of ordinary Indian populace, which makes India an inclusive society.

Though there was no visible direct evidence of positive impact of Islam on Indian culture, interactions between common Hindus and Muslims, Sufi and Bhakti saints created an environment for the emergence of a Hindustani culture, wherein we can witness the mutual borrowings from both cultures and development of an inclusive society.

 

The Festival closed with a mass candle-light vigil, poetry and music in solidarity with the ideal of an inclusive society. It included Bob Dylan’s song ” Blowing in the Wind “

A Literature Fest and a river cruise down the Ganges

The eighth edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) started with a river cruise on board the cruiser vessel M.V. Paramhamsa, which is a four-decked vessel. There is no heritage site more intrinsic to Kolkata than the river whose banks it stands on, perhaps the very reason for Kolkata’s existence . Hence the cruise down the Ganges was chosen for inauguration of AKLF 2017.

AKLF is India’s only literary festival created by a Bookstore and Kolkata’s first literary festival.

The theme of this year’s Literary Fest is “Inclusive society”.

The inauguration too place on the Sun Deck. This is the top deck of the ship. This part has been exclusively created for Nature viewing, sun lounging, Entertainment, Star gazing through Telescopes, night vision Binoculars etc. It can also accommodate open-air conferences with all facilities.

Specification of M.V Paramhamsa:

1. Length 55 mtrs
2. Breadth 12 mtrs
3. Draft 1.5 mtrs
4. Speed 12 Knots
5. Classed under Indian Registry of Shipping

Features

1. All Rooms are River Facing
2. Air conditioned with individual controller
3. Attached Bath with Hot & Cold Water
4. Intercom facility
5. Personal Coffee/Tea Maker
6. Locker on request
7. The suites have extra bed provision

Bar and Restaurant:

1. Capacity 80 Pax
2. Terrace restaurant
3. Cuisines from all over the world
4. Live Kitchen to try out local recipes

Activity Rooms:

1. Gym
2. Massage Rooms
3. Steam cum Sauna
4. Juice counter
5. Library and TV
6. Loungers
7. Gift Shop

24hours wireless internet facility

Paramhamsa Deck Plans:

There are 54 ghats (quayside) along the Ganges and all have great history and heritage. Some of them are Bathing ghats, Ceremonial ghats where rituals are performed and then the Ferry ghat which connects the two banks at various places. Many monuments, memorials and markets are there by the river side, to be explored & experienced.

The cruise started from, Vivida jetty, Millennium Park to Botanical Garden and back. It was followed by Lunch on board the vessel.

As we cruised on the banks of Ganga Shri Ashok Saha of Bhromora sang and performed traditional river songs of Bengal and heritage expert G.M. Kapur spoke about Kolkata’s historical spirit of inclusiveness in creativity and culture.

The main venue of AKLF will be St. Paul’s Cathedral grounds – chosen for its welcoming, accessible and inclusive nature. The festival’s closing event will be hosted at St John’s Church, built in 1787. The festival which started today on the banks of the Ganga, will culminate at St. John’s Church with a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the ideal of an inclusive society.

The Festival conversations will also be hosted at Royal Calcutta Turf Club, Tollygunge Club, the campus of iLead & Presidency University, Daga Nikunj and Harrington Street Arts Centre.

AKLF 2017 will introduce for the first time, Plug in, as a tribute to Nobel laureate Bob Dylan, showcasing the best young musicians in Kolkata across genres. Held in the heart of the city at St Paul’s Cathedral Grounds, the music festival will kick off in the evening after 7.30 pm on 15, 16, 17th Jan. The musicians and bands that will grace Plug in will be an eclectic mix of rock, rap, electronic, rhythm, instrumentals and harmony.

Like in past, we hope that it will be an unique festival involving all Kolkatans and a very inclusive one.