The Asian Writer

Storytelling . Theatre

Penned in the Margins

 Event Key
Performance Children & Families
New Writing Themed Discussion
Libraries & Education
Performers' and authors' names marked with an asterisk*
are pictured below.
 1 Power of the Pen
A Resolution for Kashmir?
L o r d M e g h n a d D e s a i *,
J u s t i n e H a r dy *, V i c t o r i a S c h o f i e l d*
For 60 years, the Kashmir conflict has
dominated one of the world's most militarised
regions. Yet this beautiful part of South Asia
has a proud literary heritage dating back further
than any other on the subcontinent. Acclaimed
writers Victoria Schofield, Justine Hardy and
economist Lord Meghnad Desai will discuss
the role of literature in the conflict and ask
whether the written word can help steer the
troubled relationship between Pakistan and
India towards a resolution.
15 October, 6.30pm • £7/£10 door • Rich Mix
 2 Amit Chaudhuri presents
"Found Music"
Am i t C h a u d h u r i * b a n d
Amit Chaudhuri showcases his unique mix
of raga, jazz, rock, blues, techno and disco:
"one of the most original and exciting sounds
in contemporary music today", say critics.
The Amit Chaudhuri Band will be playing
improvised material as well as reworking
classics from This Is Not Fusion and the new
album, Found Music.
16 October, 8pm • £8/£10 door • Rich Mix
1 1 1 2
 3 Journey to South Asia
Lands, Language and Imagination
G e o r g e Al a g i a h ( C h a i r ) * ,
G e o f f D y e r *, H a r d e e p S i n g h K o h l i *
The South Asian subcontinent is a travel writer’s
paradise. What is it about the people and places
within that fire the literary imagination? Writers
George Alagiah, Hardeep Singh Kohli and Geoff
Dyer will share their experiences through words
and imagery, transporting you to a land that
continues to fascinate and intrigue.
17 October, 1pm • £5 each or £10 for all of
Sunday, events 3–5 • Rich Mix Bar
 4 India and Pakistan
Literary Worlds Apart?
in association with granta magazine
John Freeman (Chair),
F a r r u k h D h o n d y, A a m e r H u s s e i n *,
M o h a mm e d H a n i f
In today’s Pakistan a new generation of authors
writing in English has emerged. Comparisons
are drawn with a similar “corona burst” of
literary talent that surfaced in India during the
1990s. What makes this one stand out? In
commemoration of the new Pakistan Granta
issue, editor John Freeman will debate this
with a leading panel of writers who have strong
literature ties to both countries.
17 October, 3.30pm • £5 each or £10 for all of
Sunday, events 3–5 • Rich Mix Bar
3 3 3 4
  5 The Complete Works
Storytelling on the Round
N i k e s h S h u kl a * , N i v e n G o v i n d e n * ,
A n j a l i J o s e p h *, S a b r i n a M a h f o u z *,
I r fa n M a s te r
The Complete Works promises an entertaining
evening combining music with the written
word. Curated by Nikesh Shukla and featuring
some of the most exciting contemporary British
Asian writers, this event will challenge your
expectations of a literary night out, mixing short-
story readings with music that inspired them.
17 October, 6.30pm • £5 each or £10 for all of
Sunday, events 3–5 • Rich Mix Bar
 6 Tell It Like It Is
The Value of Storytelling in
Developing Literacy
V a y u N a i d u , J a n e t t a O t t e r - B a r r y,
G i ta W o l f *
This event, ideal for teachers, early-years
workers and school librarians, explores the
value of storytelling in developing children’s
literacy, through a workshop and panel
discussion by storyteller Vayu Naidu, author
and publisher Gita Wolf and publisher Janetta
Otter-Barry. Come and experience the wonders
of storytelling and discuss its importance in
fostering a love of literature.
18 October, 5pm • FREE • Free Word Centre
5 5 5 5
 7 Journey to South India
A Window on the Last Classical
Civilisation
M i c h a e l W o o d *, N i kk i B e d i *
Historian and BBC presenter Michael Wood will
take the audience on an exotic journey to what
he calls “the last classical civilisation to survive
into the modern world”. Looking at the region’s
literature, sculpture, art and architecture, this
lavishly illustrated presentation is a window
onto one of the world’s great cultural traditions.
With an introduction by Nikki Bedi.
18 October, 6.30pm • £7.50/£5 conc • British Library
 8 Words Without Borders
Literature In A Time of War
M o h a mm e d H a n i f * with s p e c i a l g u e s t
South Asian countries continue to be affected by
battles both outside and from within. What effect
has this had on a generation of writing? Can
great literature thrive and new voices be found,
and what impact do conflicts have on freedom
of expression? In this special event, acclaimed
Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif along with
eminent guests from the region, will each offer
their unique perspectives.
19 October, 4pm • £5 each or £10 for all of
Tuesday, events 8–10 • Free Word Centre
6 7 7 8
  9 From Fatwa to Jihad  12 Bhakti and the Blues
The Culture of Offence in Britain V a y u N a i d u *, Cl e v e l a n d W a t k i s s *

K e n a n M a l i k *, S h i v M a l i k * ,
Moderated by J o h n K a m p f n e r
This event examines how the rise of terrorism
in the last 20 years has led to an era of curtailing
freedom of expression in the UK. Writer and
broadcaster Kenan Malik, journalist Shiv Malik
explore multiculturalism, terror, free speech and
the “culture of offence” in modern Britain.
19 October, 6pm • £5 each or £10 for all of
Tuesday, events 8–10 • Free Word Centre
Storyteller Vayu Naidu and renowned jazz/
blues singer Cleveland Watkiss embark on
an epic voyage to find love in all its forms,
including Bhakti: the longing to belong eternally.
In a journey combining storytelling, music
improvisation and visual display, the audience
is taken through a cycle describing the
manifestation of spiritual love in the world.
20 October, 9pm • £9.50 • Kings Place Hall 2

 10 The Last Time I Saw Richard

R o m a T e a r n e *, W i ll i R i c h a r d s ,
D J N i h a l*

This audio documentary recounts the life and

murder of Sri Lankan journalist, author and political
activist Richard de Zoysa in February 1990 by a Sri
Lankan government death squad. This moving play
will be followed by a discussion with writer Roma
Tearne, director Willi Richards and BBC Radio 1
presenter DJ Nihal.
 13 Kalagora
19 October, 8pm • £5 each or £10 for all of Siddhartha Bose*
Tuesday, events 8–10 • Free Word Centre
Indian-born performer Siddhartha Bose weaves
a tale of love, chaos and addiction in the city,
 11 Cricket, Commonwealth from Millennium eve in Manhattan to London’s
East End via the urban surrealism of Mumbai.
and Country Blending poetry and theatre, Kalagora testifies
Ro m e s h G u n e s e k e r a , B o r i a M a j u m da r* to the shock of the new in a globalised world.
Moderated by M i h i r B o s e * 21 October, 8pm • £8/£6 conc •
Rich Mix Theatre
With author Romesh Gunesekera, academic
Boria Majumdar and sports writer Mihir Bose, this
light-hearted evening will feature archive cricket
footage and images, and a look at literature that
has captured (or not) the spirit of cricket and the
Commonwealth Games.
20 October, 7pm • £9.50 • Kings Place Hall 1

9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12
 design by pascal barry • www.holapascal.com
Kings Place
British Library

Free Word Centre

British Museum
Rich Mix

Q Books

Libraries across London

UK-wide events
The Festival will be travelling to locations around
the UK from the 28–31 October

Libraries LONDON VENUES

The Festival will visit the outer boroughs of The Festival will be taking place in venues
the capital, with authors appearing throughout across London
London’s extended library network
   British Library    Kings Place
   Brent    Havering
   British Museum    Rich Mix
   Croydon    Hillingdon
   Free Word Centre    Q Books
   Ealing    Islington
   Greenwich    Merton
   Haringey    Redbridge TICKETS & INFO
   Harrow    Westminster www.dscsouthasianlitfest.com

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The new home for South Asian literature:
www.dscsouthasianlitfest.com
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