The Annasi & Kadalagotu Literature Festival: Triumph of home-grown literature by our finest storytellers

By Rtr. Prasadie Karunaratne

The 2019 edition of 'Annasi & Kadalagotu' (A & K) literature festival was successfully held on the 20th of October at the iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel for the fifth consecutive year under the patronage of the prime mover of the festival, Captain Elmo Jayewardene. The core objective of Capt. Elmo Jayewardene was to push the perimeters of home-grown literature with the slogan – ‘simply literature, simply local’, making literature available for all that are influenced and fascinated in the art of storytelling.

Entrance for the full day festival was affordable at just one hundred Rupees to encourage the core objective and the theme of the literature festival, that literature should be enjoyed in its own pace, just like as you would nibble upon slices of annasi (pineapple) and kadala (chickpea) in gotu (paper pouches). A & K lit fest brought together a variety of writers, poets, musicians, dramatists, journalists and artists in a range of panels that discuss writing, publishing, performing, travel, digital writing and comics.

A&K lit festival turned its fifth chapter this  year, and was lined with  some enthralling  items.  This years’ programmed began with a session on censoring literature with Shakthika Sathkumara. The session was moderated by Dhananath Fernando who has been working with A&K lit fest for the past few years.

Three sessions were featured at different places of hotel premises simultaneously. In the morning, a book launch of Nadishka Aloysius and ‘Craving Creativity’ workshop by Dileepa Abeysekere were spotlit simultaneously with the censoring session.

After the opening ceremony, ‘Tri-lingual literature –a path to peace’ was attended by many, and was one of the captivating sessions moderated by Prof. Harshana Rambukwella in the presence of Kingsley Ratnayake, Prof.  Neluka  Silva, Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, and Santhan Ayathura.

The   session ‘Aduru   Lowakin   Eliyata', which   was   featured   by   visually handicapped writers became a platform to showcase the writing talents of differently abled children.  Apart from these sessions, others such as ‘Little minds and strong values’, ‘Literature as a tool of ethnic and religious reconciliation’, ‘New faces in literature ‘were also held. ‘A Woman’s Gaze’, ‘The Story Behind the Story’, ‘Poetry Corner’ and ‘The Child Who Never Grows Up’ by Sybil Weththasinghe lined up throughout the programme.

Here, a great deal of emphasis and exposure were given to the roots of Sri Lankan literature, appreciating the work of local authors and artists as well.

The engrossing session – ‘Lankawe Hina’, spoke about bringing humour to the social media and radio scenes which was witnessed with the participation of some comedians, ‘Janai-Priyai’, ‘DJ  Araa  Pasbara’  and  ‘Samare  and  samare’.  The performance by ‘Bambaru’ was the most entertaining session to boost up the audience.  The prize giving of competitions held and award ceremony of writers were featured at the end of the day.

Under the supervision of Rotary club of Colombo Regency few members of Rotaract club of College of Chemical Sciences got a great opportunity to be a part of this event by volunteering.  They were able to aid the event along with the immense support of volunteers of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel joined the festival as the official venue partner, creating the ideal setting for home-grown literature. The Annasi and Kadalagotu literature festival was brought up to the audience as a joint effort of Omnicom Media Group, Anim8.lk, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Dents grant company, P.H.  House Design and construction, Expo Freight Logistics and Rotary club of Colombo Regency.  The A & K Lit Fest turns its sixth chapter next year, broadening its horizons of local literature in a sophisticated manner.