The second edition of Akshar, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s (IITK) 3-day literature festival will commences on October 15, 2023. The festival is being organized jointly by Shivani Centre for the Nurture and Reintegration of Hindi and Other Indian Languages, Rajbhasha Prakoshth, Appreciation and Promotion of Art, Culture and Heritage (APPROACH) Cell of IIT Kanpur, Hindi Sahitya Sabha – a student body at IIT Kanpur and Gaatha – a SIIC IIT Kanpur incubated company.

Shivani Centre aims to promote language creativity and inculcate pride and self-confidence while communicating in Hindi and other Indian languages. It intends to organize events, workshops, book fairs and so on to promote the richness of Hindi and other Indian languages. The centre was established by Mr. Muktesh Pant who obtained his B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1976. The centre was established with a grant from the ‘Micky and Vinita Charitable Foundation’ in memory of his late mother, Smt. Gaura Pant, better known by her pen name ‘Shivani’, who was one of the most popular Hindi writers of the 20th century.

The second edition of Akshar – 2023 commemorates the birth centenary of the pre-eminent Hindi novelist Shivani. The three-day festival, which will take place at IIT Kanpur”s Outreach Auditorium, will begin on 15 October 2023 and will end on 17 October 2023.

*Prof. Kantesh Balani, Shivani Centre Coordinator, and Dean, Resources and Alumni, IIT Kanpur said,* “Akshar represents our dedication to promoting language creativity, fostering a sense of pride and self-confidence in communication in Hindi and other Indian languages. We take immense pride in commemorating the birth centenary of the legendary Hindi novelist, Shivani ji, and look forward to three days of celebrating literature, art, culture, and heritage with the participation of eminent literary and academic personalities from across the country. This year”s Akshar promises a rich tapestry of literary genres, music, thought-provoking discussions, and a diverse array of performances, making it an event that promises to inspire and engage our campus community.”

The 3-day event will be marked with a celebration of the life and works of Shivani, the celebrated writer. It will be graced by the participation of eminent literary and academic personalities of the country. Several well-known poets and artists will provide the IIT campus community with an opportunity to appreciate various genres of literature stories, poems, and plays. Besides, an evening of Hindustani classical music, thought–provoking panel discussions, a Kathak performance, Rabindra Sangeet, Kabir – Bhajan, and many more performances will be featured during the Akshar event. Some of the eminent personalities include R. Balki, producer, director, film-maker from Bollywood, Komal Nahata, famous trade analyst, Nayani Dixit, Bollywood actress and Shri Pushpesh Pant, academic, food critic and historian, Ashok Chakradhar, author and poet, Farhat Ehsaas, leading contemporary Urdu poet, Shariq Kaifi celebrated Urdu poet, Bhagyashree Deshpande, classical Indian vocalist and many others.

Additionally, a 3-day book fair is being organized, and coordinated by leading publishers of the country, which will be inaugurated on 15 of October 2023.