{
  "id": 16191977,
  "title": "Mumbai LitFest 2026 Begins With Javed Akhtar's Literary Journey Into The World Of Kabir, Rahim And Vrind",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/mumbai-litfest-2026-begins-with-javed-akhtars-literary-journey-into",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T13:52:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/mumbai-litfest-2026-begins-with-javed-akhtars-literary-journey-into-the-world-of-kabir-rahim-and-vrind"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai's literary scene ignited on Friday, October 23, 2026, as the 17th edition of Godrej Literature Live! Mumbai LitFest commenced at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). The inaugural session, titled \"For The Love Of The Word – The Anil Dharker Session,\" celebrated the festival's origins and its role in shaping Mumbai's cultural scene. Festival co-director Amy Fernandes shared the vision of the late journalist and founder, Anil Dharker, who established the event as a gathering place for writers, thinkers, and readers. Nadir Godrej, Antoine Lewis, and Amy Fernandes unveiled the 2026 edition's brochure, foreshadowing three days of literary discussions and cultural exchanges.\n\nVeteran lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar launched his book, \"Three Masters,\" in conversation with Sumantra Ghoshal. The collection delves into the dohas of three renowned Hindi poets—Kabir, Rahim, and Vrind—analyzing their verses and the enduring ideas that have persisted for generations. Akhtar recounted how the book began as a television program where he interpreted dohas on camera, and his spontaneous responses were later compiled into a book. The English edition presents the poets separately and offers rhyming translations of their verses. Akhtar discussed the distinct characteristics of Kabir, Rahim, and Vrind's poetry, with Kabir standing out as a fearless critic of religious orthodoxy and superstition. He highlighted the doha's unique metrical structure and its challenges in translation. Akhtar also connected Kabir's musk deer metaphor to the human tendency to seek happiness and peace within oneself. The session concluded with Akhtar unveiling \"Three Masters,\" signaling the beginning of the festival, which would continue at NCPA until October 25, 2026.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, October 23, 2026: Mumbai’s love affair with literature came alive on Friday, October 23, 2026, as Godrej Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest opened its 17th edition at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), bringing together memories, poetry and conversations about the power of words. The inaugural session revisited the vision behind the festival before veteran lyricist and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}