Independent thinking includes the ability to engage in reflective and critical thinking. This ability to think independently without any bias is the very foundation of our democracy. To strengthen and promote this very idea of independent thinking, Divya Marathi organized the second edition of Marathi Literature Festival under the theme ‘Confluence of Independent Thinkers’ in Kusumagraj Smarak.  The 3-day festival concluded on 5^th Nov 2017 with a live performance by neo-fusion rock band Kabir Café. This rock band successfully fused the mystic saint’s age-old independent philosophy with a modern outlook. The festival also witnessed entertainment packed live performances of Music Maestro Hariharan and Illusionist Abhishek Acharya.

This 3-day festival comprised of 72 eminent speakers participating in 26 sessions and 6 workshops on diverse subjects ranging from Democratic Polity, Literature, Mythology, Medical Ethics in Literature, Literature and Social Movement, Graphic Arts, Tea and Book Pairing , Fake News and even Food Archaeology.

Mr. Girish Agarwal, Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group said “We are happy that Marathi Literature Festival has been able to entice our Marathi readers by marking a confluence of independent thinkers and achievers. This will surely give impetus to our efforts of enabling our readers to think independently without being prejudiced and influenced”.

A special segment ‘Celebrating the power of Independent Thinking’ saw 12 independent thinkers of Maharashtra getting felicitated for their passion and being change drivers. Few of the eminent speakers of the festival included Mr. Devdutt Pattanaik , Ms. Savi Sharma , Mr. Sheshrao More, Mr. Rajiv Dogra , Ms. Sheela Reddy,Ms. Neelima Dalmia Adhar , Mr. Nilotpal Mrinal ,Mr. Aabid Surti , Mr. Niranjan Chapalgaonkar , Mr. Sambhaji Bhagat , Mr. Uday Deshpande , Mr. Virag Gupta  , Mr. Ashish Chaudhary , Dr. Neelima Chauhan  and Mr. Mahesh Kothare .

This festival also hosted interesting sessions on the disappearing traditional games of India by Sreeranjini(Founder-Kavade), Blind Photography by Partho Bhowmick (Founder-Blind with Camera) and Tea & Book Pairing by Snigdha Manchanda (India’s first and finest Tea Sommelier). Workshops on Blogging, ‘Kavya Katta’ (Poetry) and Reading pleasure added vigour to the literary sessions. A Special edition tea , Landour Gold Tea, was released  as an ode to the beautiful mountains that is the home and inspiration of legendary author Ruskin Bond. Honouring his love for nature, pure green tea was blended with herbs and blooms native to the Himalayas–chamomile, sage, and lemongrass.

To know more visit http://marathiliteraturefestival.com/en/