New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi organised a Face-to-Face programme followed by a Multilingual Short Story Reading programme during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 on 16 January 2026 at Hall No. 2, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Face-to-Face programme featured Shri Kuldeep Singh Deep and Shri Vishwas Patil, two distinguished literary figures. Shri Kuldeep Singh Deep, Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar awardee and a noted contributor to theatre techniques, particularly Punjabi Opera, spoke about his play Opera, offering insights into the inspiration behind its creation. He also discussed his recent plays Chhalla and Jallianwala Bagh, for which he received the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and emphasised the social relevance of theatre in addressing issues of everyday life, human relationships, and society. The second speaker, Shri Vishwas Patil, renowned Marathi fiction writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, spoke at length about his significant works, including Mahanayak, inspired by the life of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose; Panipat, based on the Third Battle of Panipat; and Jadhajati, depicting the suffering of people displaced by a dam.
The Face-to-Face programme was followed by a Multilingual Short Story Reading, in which Shri Gyan Prakash Vivek (Hindi), Smt. Paramita Satpathy (Odia), and Shri Tariq Chhatari (Urdu) read from their works. Shri Gyan Prakash Vivek read his Hindi story “Moh”, which poignantly portrayed the relationship between a husband and wife. The story explored how strained relations led them towards divorce, and how a brief face-to-face meeting helped them realise their mutual strengths and weaknesses, ultimately compelling them to tear up the divorce papers. Smt. Paramita Satpathy, a well-known Odia writer with a wide and realistic narrative canvas, read the Hindi translation of her story “Agni Snata” from Marinityam. The story movingly reflected the inner conflicts and mental anguish experienced by Draupadi—from her birth, through her relationships with the Pandavas, the events of the Mahabharata, and her journey towards nirvana after the war. Shri Tariq Chhatari, eminent Urdu fiction writer, read his story ‘Bandook’ from Bandook aur Anya Kahaniyan. Through his narrative, he conveyed the message that hatred can spread in society in many ways, but sustained dialogue among people has the power to dispel such animosity and prevent it from enduring.
Both programmes were well received by the audience, comprising students, teachers, writers, and literature enthusiasts, and witnessed meaningful interaction and discussion. Dr Sandeep Kaur, Assistant Editor, proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of Sahitya Akademi
-Pallavi Prashant Holkar
