Bhubaneswar : ‘Akshara’, a focused literary programme exploring the role of women in literature, was organised by the Toshali Literature Society in Bhubaneswar on 6 June 2036. The event was convened by former IAS officer Pradeep Biswal and noted literary organiser Paresh Patnaik, bringing together eminent scholars, writers, and cultural thinkers on a single platform.

The Literature Festival was inaugurated by former State Information Commissioner Paramita Satpathy, who underlined the critical role of literature in shaping ethical public discourse. The keynote address was delivered by Ranu Uniyal, who presented a nuanced and thought-provoking lecture on the historiography of Indian literature, with particular emphasis on women’s writings and their marginalisation within canonical narratives.

The Chief Guest of the festival, Professor Nandini Sahu, Vice Chancellor of Hindi University, West Bengal and Professor of English at Indira Gandhi National Open University, delivered an erudite and spontaneous address on the social relevance of literature in contemporary times. Her speech compellingly connected Gender Studies with Women’s Studies, Masculinity Studies, Queer Studies, Indian Knowledge Systems, Indian literature in translation, world literatures, folk traditions, witness literature, cultural studies, syllabus design, and the National Education Policy (NEP), pin pointing the interdisciplinary future of literary studies in India.

A major highlight of the programme was the launch of Toshali Anthology of Love Poems, edited by Pradeep Biswal, Paresh Patnaik, and Namita Rani Panda, which was received with great enthusiasm by the audience.

The festival also featured insightful deliberations, majorly by Odia writers, including Vijayalakshmi Rath, Sarojini Sahu, Chirashree Indrasingh, Pragnya Pravartika Dash, Jayanti Rath, Chinmayee Nanda, Aparna Mohanty, Snehaprava Das, Namita Lakshmi Jagadev, Sanghamitra Bhanja, Mahua Sen, Pravasini Mahakud, Lopamudra Mishra and Sarita Prusty.

‘Akshara’ was a significant cultural and academic intervention, engaging with women’s literary contributions and reaffirming literature’s transformative role in society.

Some eminent participants were Dr Gourahari Das, Prof Gopa Ranjan Mishra, Shri Bhaskar Pariccha, Shri Shankar Narayan Mallick, Shri Dipak Sanantray, among others.