The second day of the Bhopal Literature and Art Festival witnessed a dynamic array of over 20 sessions featuring more than 25 distinguished authors, culminating in a mesmerizing musical performance by celebrated singer Pratibha Singh Baghel. Her soul-stirring renditions at Bharat Bhavan captivated the audience, providing a fitting end to the culturally rich day.
The morning began with a heritage walk that started from Kamla Park and covered significant historical landmarks, including ancient water bodies, Gond forts, Iqbal Maidan, Sadar Manzil, and Taj-ul-Masajid. Participants explored the city’s architectural grandeur and cultural legacy, immersing themselves in its historical significance.
Adding to the vibrant cultural atmosphere, a painting competition for students was held at Youngrang, encouraging young artists to showcase their creativity. Meanwhile, Adirang Hall featured an ongoing exhibition on tribal art, highlighting the works of Gond and Baiga artists. The exhibition aimed to celebrate and preserve the indigenous heritage of the region.
Among the key sessions of the day, former IPS officer Meeran Chadha Borwankar engaged audiences at Vagarth Auditorium with a discussion on her book Madam Commissioner. Moderated by Rakesh Asthana, the session deconstructed stereotypical portrayals of law enforcement, portraying the police force as a guardian of justice rather than an institution mired in corruption. Asthana praised Borwankar’s work, stating that it challenges misconceptions and highlights the human side of policing.
Borwankar shared a powerful anecdote that inspired the book’s title, recounting an incident from her tenure in Pune. Two young women, after facing harassment, sought police assistance but were questioned about their presence late at night. Frustrated yet determined, they banged on the police desk, repeatedly calling out, “Madam Commissioner!”—a moment that left a lasting impression on Borwankar and ultimately shaped the title of her book.
At Rangdarshini Auditorium, renowned historian and researcher Anuj Pakvasa delivered an insightful talk on the enduring significance of coats of arms, exploring their evolution from medieval European heraldry to contemporary symbols of identity. He illustrated how these insignias continue to be used in branding, weaponry, and even currency. Highlighting historical examples, he discussed the Scindia family’s coins from Gwalior, which feature a serpent as a tribute to an ancestral legend. Pakvasa also examined modern corporate heraldry, citing brands like Jaguar and Ferrari that incorporate classical iconography into their branding. He revealed that his forthcoming book will delve deeper into this underexplored subject.
The festival also featured a thought-provoking session on Indian cinema at Antarang Auditorium, where author Shikha Biswas Vohra discussed her book The Lure of Old Tunes in conversation with Jyoti Agarwal. Vohra revealed that the inspiration for the book emerged during her menopause, a period when she was advised to take prolonged rest. Instead of writing a documentary-style account, she chose to present her research as a story, crafting fictional characters to weave a compelling narrative.
Her work traces the evolution of Indian cinema from the silent film era to the 1980s, highlighting key transitions in the industry. She explained how, post-independence, the collapse of studio-driven filmmaking led to the rise of independent directors, shifting cinema from an artistic pursuit to a commercially driven industry. She noted that while the first part of her book is semi-biographical, incorporating personal experiences with her family, the second part blends observations, biographical elements, and a simple storytelling approach.
