Times Literary Carnival - A Sunday Morning well spent...

The concept of a Sunday morning is largely unknown to me. Largely spent languishing on my cosy bed, I presumed that I would be the last person to talk about a productive Sunday morrow. Which goes to show, how very wrong presumptions can be...

When I first received the offer to catch up on a tête-à-tête between Arnab Goswami and Arvind Kejriwal, my first response was an emphatic no. Not because I had scant knowledge about the entire event; not because I didn't quite fancy witnessing an intense trial by fire of an up and coming politician by an interviewer with a one-line brief, but because I valued my end-of-the-week siestas far too much to even consider going. In the end, however, I agreed, for the sole reason that such opportunities do not come by everyday. Much to my pleasure, my recalcitrance turned out to be unwarranted, as I attended three of the most insightful discussions that I have ever been a part of.

Entering the Mehboob Studios for the Times Literary Carnival with family and friends, my mind was abuzz with the numerous possibilities that lay in store for the day. I had never been to any such event before, and that only led to an increased sense of anticipation. And I was not to be disappointed!

The day began with a fierce interview of Arvind Kejriwal by a certain Mr. Arnab Goswami. It was a typical Arnabesque interview, wherein after the first few 'cushion' questions; he was back to his firebrand style of asking pointed questions. However, it must be said that Kejriwal handed it pretty well; responding to most questions with measured antiphons.  Most of the talk centered around the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Anna Hazare's stand on the party, although a few questions were based on Kejriwal's personal political ambitions. He was composed at most times; and was quite prepared to play to the gallery, especially when the posers weren't exactly facile. TOI called him 'the common man's rockstar', and quite rightly so; for he was totally in sync with the pulse of the large audience, and knew exactly what to say, and when to say it. Makings of a future politician, I'd say for sure! By the end of it, the dialogue had me convinced that while Arvind Kejriwal may not be the ideal person to improve governance on a national scale, he'll certainly be less worse than the current corrupt lot.

Next in line was a conversation between Chetan Bhagat and Barkha Dutt; on a very pertinent topic - What Young India Wants. Although the topic was somber, the speakers were far from it; tending to be rather flippant about the core issues. The writer, in particular, was fribbling around with the audience, and although he was witty at times, he did veer away from the main reason the entire event was held - to discuss whether he really believed in his famous one-liner - 'All young India wants is a naukri and a chokri!' So much so, that by the end of the confabulation, one girl was overheard saying, "Remind me again what the discussion was all about". It wouldn't been an exaggeration to say it was the most disappointing session of the day!

The day culminated for us in an engrossing debate between Omkar Goswami and Suhel Seth, moderated by Vir Sanghvi. The motion, as it were, was 'Greed is now Hero No. 1' (and it is here that we realized that the core theme of the Carnival was 'Greed, the City and the Pursuit of Happiness); with Goswami speaking in favour of the motion and Seth speaking against it. Unfortunately, Sanghvi inadvertently changed the moot point to 'Is Greed an obsession in India?' (and this was after he had initially said, in all seriousness, that the topic for the debate was  'Is Poverty an obsession in India?') , thereby making the debate one-sided. However, it was interesting to note that the audience was still on the fence at the commencement; with about half of the people voting in favour of the motion. Anyhow, this changed after Goswami's monologue, which seemed to be more about inequality rather than greed (which was aptly pointed out by Seth later); as somehow, rather inexplicably, an overwhelming majority was beginning to feel that greed was indeed an obsession in India. Seth's own address was slightly more relevant, despite the fact that he was focusing on only the differences between aspiration and greed. His discourse once again drastically changed the perception of the audience, but this time, it was understandable. There is something about a man who calls you the 'intelligentsia of the society' that you just can't oppose. The entire affair was handled rather well by Vir Sanghvi, who, after a few initial glitches, seemed to have settled down in his role as a moderator. Ultimately, Seth's smooth talking won over the assemblage and the motion was repealed.

HIGH POINTS: Lots of memorable anecdotes carried the day. Arvind Kejriwal saying that he was as greedy for power within the AAP as Arnab Goswami was within Times Now had the journalist stumped for a moment. The crowd's reaction after Kejriwal gave away the Ambani brothers' Swiss bank account numbers was raucous. Chetan Bhagat reluctantly admitting that there was a vast difference between what he believed in and the way things were in the country was quite a sapience. Deepak Parekh's joshing wisecrack that Mumbai is aspirational; while Delhi is greedy was a treat. Lastly, the constant presence of the ever-comforting Bachi Karkaria was much needed throughout all the three high-voltage sessions.

LOW POINTS: Like it is with every event, this one too had its share of cringeworthy moments. The people's reaction after Kejriwal released the Swiss bank account numbers of Anil and Mukesh Ambani was one of such moments. Although the audience's involvement in the dialogue was enthusiastic (the reason the same incident has been included in the preceding section); it still proved the fact that even the so-called intelligentsia was swayed far too easily by sensationalism (a trend which was later seen in the debate), which doesn't bode too well for the nation's future. Chetan Bhagat saying that he is 'ultra-liberal' was another one. But perhaps the most disturbing scene was that of people standing up on their chairs and shouting incessantly just so that they could ask a question or two. It really showed that our society is far from being an erudite, civilized one.

All in all, it was a fecund four hours for me and my brother. Although it was the last day of the Literary Carnival, I will surely be looking forward to the next edition! 

P.S. Thank you Sandesh kaka for the wonderful experience! It was a privilege and a pleasure.