**Executive Summary**
The Sahitya Akademi organised a Face-to-Face programme and a Panel Discussion on India's Intellectual Traditions during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 on 15 January 2026. Sri K. P. Ramanunni, a Malayalam writer, participated in the Face-to-Face programme. A Panel Discussion followed, featuring Rawail Singh, Harekrishna Satapathy, and Basavaraj Kalgudi.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Face-to-Face Programme:**
* Sri K. P. Ramanunni shared insights from his literary life and work.
* He read excerpts from his Malayalam short story 'MTP' (translated by Abu Bakar Kaba), exploring themes around medical termination of pregnancy.
* He spoke about his formative years and the impact of spiritual and communist literature on his life.
* **Panel Discussion on India's Intellectual Traditions:**
* Sri Rawail Singh discussed Punjab's intellectual heritage.
* Harekrishna Satapathy compared ancient and contemporary education systems.
* Basavaraj Kalgudi spoke on peripheral knowledge systems and tribal/agrarian wisdom traditions.
* **General:**
* The audience comprised students, teachers, writers, and literature enthusiasts.
* Dr Sandeep Kaur proposed the vote of thanks.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Students, Teachers, Writers, and Literature Enthusiasts**
* **Impact**: These individuals had the opportunity to engage with literary figures and intellectual discussions, potentially enriching their understanding of literature, intellectual traditions, and cultural heritage.
* **Action Required**: No specific action is required; the event served as an opportunity for learning and interaction.
Key Entities Referenced
Sahitya Akademi: The organizer of the face-to-face and story reading programs.
New Delhi World Book Fair 2026: The location of the programs.
Ministry of Culture: The ministry under which the event is held.
Ministry of Culture
Sahitya Akademi Organises Face-to-Face and
Story Reading Programmes at New Delhi World
Book Fair 2026
प्रव तथ: 16 JAN 2026 1:13PM by PIB Delhi
Sahitya Akademi organised a Face-to-Face programme and a Panel Discussion on India’s Intellectual
Traditions, during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 on 15 January 2026 at Hall No. 2, Bharat
Mandapam, New Delhi.
In the Face-to-Face programme, Sri K. P. Ramanunni, eminent Malayalam writer and Sahitya Akademi
Award-winner, participated and shared insights from his literary life and work. He mentioned that he hails
from Kozhikode, a city recognised by UNESCO as India’s first and only City of Literature. During the
session, he read excerpts from his Malayalam short story ‘MTP’—the medical term for termination of
pregnancy—which was translated into English by Abu Bakar Kaba. Written in the form of a play and
divided into seven segments, the story explores the intense human drama surrounding a medical
termination of pregnancy, drawing from the author’s own life experiences. Reflecting on his literary
journey, Sri Ramanunni spoke about his formative years, stating that as a teenager he was simultaneously
reading spiritual and communist literature, which led to inner conflict and psychiatric consultation.
Although the treatment proved futile, the experience inspired him to find solace and expression through
writing.
The Face-to-Face programme was followed by a Panel Discussion on India’s Intellectual Traditions, with
Prof. Rawail Singh, Prof. Harekrishna Satapathy, and Prof. Basavaraj Kalgudi as panellists. Sri Rawail
Singh discussed Punjab’s intellectual heritage, tracing it from the ancient centre of learning at Takshashila
to Nath Yogis, Sufism, and Sikhism. Prof. Harekrishna Satapathy compared ancient and contemporary
education systems, referring to Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh as the Aadigurus, and recited a shloka from
the Vedas. Prof. Basavaraj Kalgudi spoke on peripheral knowledge systems, categorising them into oral
and written traditions, and highlighted the significance of tribal and agrarian wisdom traditions in ancient
India.
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.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2215227) आगंतुक पटल : 280
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