Dehradun, July 31, 2023 – This August, a groundbreaking event Varta, a one-of-a-kind cultural and literary festival, makes its debut in Uttarakhand. Varta aims to breathe new life into the vibrant and diverse stories of the Himalayan belt, with a focus on the host state of Uttarakhand. This inaugural festival will set the stage for an annual tradition celebrating the region’s rich heritage. The announcement of the festival along with the official festival poster release took place in the Press Club in Dehradun on July 31, 2023.
Varta will embrace the art, literature, and heritage of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the UTs of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. With free admission, this inclusive event welcomes individuals from all walks of life to participate in engaging cultural and literary conversations.
Scheduled to take place from August 18 to 20, 2023, at the Doon University in Dehradun, Varta promises a diverse and captivating program. Attendees can expect a vibrant cultural montage that showcases the Himalayan contributions to India’s ancient cultural heritage. The festival will feature exciting book launches, thought-provoking literary panels, and insightful seminars, where renowned authors and talented folk artists will share their experiences and perspectives. Interactive audio-video presentations and immersive workshops will create an immersive experience in the world of art and literature.
In addition, Varta will foster creativity among young minds with state-level inter-school and college competitions in folk, art, storytelling and creative writing. The festival will also provide a platform for talented folk artisans and regional authors to display their exceptional works, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of local folk arts and offer support to these creators. Each evening, the festivities will have captivating folk performances, shining a spotlight on the cultural richness of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
“We are thrilled to present ‘Varta,’ a three-day cultural and literary fest in the Himalayas,” said Dr. Uday Kakroo, President of Varta. “This event will serve as a platform for artists, authors, and schools to come together and celebrate the rich heritage of literature, art, storytelling, and folk traditions of the Himalayan region. We invite everyone to join us in this unique and creative space for conversations that bring these stories to life.”
Varta boasts an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and authors for each day of the event. Among them are Kaveree Bamzai, the first and only female editor of India Today; Ranjeet Pratap Singh, the CEO of Pratilipi; and Brij Nath Betab, a national-award-winning broadcaster and esteemed Kashmiri writer, award-winning Himalayan researcher Dr. Manju Kak, prolific children’s writer Deepa Agarwal, writer and professor Dr. Tanu Shree Dahiya, Dehradun-based author Dr. Ruby Gupta and award-winning writer and filmmaker Siddhartha Gigoo. Writers from Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Jammu, Uttarakhand, Mumbai and Indian-American writers from the United States are expected to join. Publishing houses like Westland Books, Penguin India, Pippa Rann Books, Aleph Books, Rupa, Leadstart Publishing, and more are represented. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with these influential artists and writers.
The event organizers, including the national-award-winning nonprofit Millennium India Education Foundation (MIEF), Sahakar Bharati, and Peerbagh, have joined forces to create an unforgettable experience. For more information and the latest updates, please visit the official website at peerbagh.com/varta. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #VartaDoon2023.
Media Contact:
Upasna Kakroo
CEO, Peerbagh
About MIEF
Millennium India Education Foundation (MIEF.in) is a national-award-winning NGO registered in Delhi in 2003. MIEF is dedicated to the revival and promotion of art and culture to support its mission of creating a platform for learners and making information accessible. Their work includes the revival of Sharada and Newari scripts, Indian miniature art (Basholi-Kangra and Kashmir Miniature art), and more.
About Sahakar Bharati
Sahakar Bharati is the only pan-India organization of cooperators and cooperatives. In pursuit of its mission, Sahakar Bharati organizes training camps, lecture series, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and other initiatives to empower the masses in building self-sustaining and self-reliant cooperative institutions.
About Peerbagh
Peerbagh (peerbagh.com) is a nonprofit organization registered in Austin, Texas, USA, with an office in Dehradun, India. The organization offers various programs, including storytelling and writing workshops, children’s books, story capsules, and toolkits for parents, K-12 educators, and aspiring creatives.