Two Book Festivals in Kerala Compete for Attention

Two big book festivals in Kerala are happening at the same time. Astronaut Sunita Williams is visiting, and both festivals want her to be part of their events. This shows how the festivals are trying to be popular and different from each other.
By Newsroom | Events, India |

The recent visit of retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to Kerala has become a focal point for a spirited rivalry between two prominent literary festivals, highlighting differing organizational models and media backing. The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), an event of considerable scale and ambition, has drawn significant attention, with Williams participating in a series of space-themed talks. Concurrently, this event appears to be in direct competition with a festival sponsored by the Mathrubhumi group, a major media house.

Tale of two Lit fests: Sunita Williams’ Kerala visit ignites a high-stakes literary showdown - 1

Context of the Festivals

Two distinct literary festivals are currently active in Kerala, with the presence of Sunita Williams at one of them creating a point of contention and comparison.

Tale of two Lit fests: Sunita Williams’ Kerala visit ignites a high-stakes literary showdown - 2

  • Kerala Literature Festival (KLF): This event, held in Kozhikode, aims for grandeur and scale, drawing a diverse array of luminaries.

  • Notable attendees and speakers at the inauguration included Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Information Technology, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Olympian Ben Johnson, actors Prakash Raj and Bhavana, authors K Satchidanandan, Paul Zacharia, and M Mukundan, and The Hindu Group Chairperson Nirmala Lakshman.

  • Kerala’s Tourism and PWD Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas announced plans for a memorial to Vaikom Muhammed Basheer.

  • The festival features talks on themes of space, exploration, leadership, resilience, and human curiosity, with Sunita Williams expected to share her experiences.

  • The KLF is described as a "marquee event" that could rival the Kochi Muziris Biennale in grandeur and scale, while remaining rooted in local participation.

  • Mathrubhumi Festival: This festival, sponsored by the Mathrubhumi group, operates with a different model, leveraging its media platforms for year-round visibility.

  • This group reportedly pursued Williams for their festival as well.

  • A senior Mathrubhumi editor allegedly made a personal request to DC Books for Williams' appearance at their festival.

  • DC Books benefits from an extensive publishing catalogue, whereas Mathrubhumi, with a smaller book list, sells titles from other publishers at its festival.

Sunita Williams' Engagement

Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has become a central figure in the discourse surrounding these literary events.

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Tale of two Lit fests: Sunita Williams’ Kerala visit ignites a high-stakes literary showdown - 3

  • Williams, with 608 days in space, the second most for any NASA astronaut, is participating in the Kerala Literature Festival.

  • She is scheduled to deliver talks reflecting on her space journeys, covering topics such as science, exploration, leadership, resilience, and human curiosity.

  • Williams is also slated to participate in a discussion with journalist Barkha Dutt titled 'Astronaut's Odyssey'.

  • Her participation was reportedly sought by both festivals, indicating her considerable appeal.

Organizational Models and Financials

The two festivals exhibit stark differences in their operational and financial structures, contributing to the perceived rivalry.

  • Mathrubhumi Sponsorship Model:

  • Offers sponsors year-round visibility across their newspaper, magazines, and digital platforms.

  • This comprehensive package is a distinct advantage over standalone festival models.

  • DC Books' Festival Model:

  • Operates as a standalone festival.

  • Faces challenges in profitability, with reports suggesting it "barely breaks even" despite attracting a large visitor count of 7 lakh people.

  • The festival's success is bolstered by DC Books' extensive publishing catalogue.

  • Manorama's Role: The report mentions Manorama in the context of selling competitors' titles at their festival, despite having a smaller book list. This suggests an alternative approach to vendor management compared to DC Books.

Perceived Rivalry and Outreach

The competition between the festivals appears to have escalated, particularly concerning the securing of prominent guests.

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  • A "last-ditch effort" by a senior Mathrubhumi editor involved a personal request to DC Books for Williams' participation in their festival.

  • This suggests an intense desire from Mathrubhumi to have Williams featured at their event, even through informal channels.

  • The KLF, with its significant scale, is seen as a contender that could rival established cultural events like the Kochi Muziris Biennale.

Expert Analysis

  • Analysis of the situation suggests a strategic battle for cultural and commercial influence within Kerala's literary scene. The sponsorship model of established media houses like Mathrubhumi provides a clear financial and promotional advantage, enabling sustained engagement with audiences beyond the immediate event duration. Conversely, standalone festivals like the KLF, while potentially attracting high-profile guests and large crowds, must navigate a more precarious financial landscape. The personal outreach for Sunita Williams' presence indicates the high stakes involved in securing such an influential figure, who symbolizes a confluence of science, exploration, and aspiration.

Conclusion

The visit of Sunita Williams to Kerala has illuminated the dynamic and competitive nature of the state's literary festival circuit. The Kerala Literature Festival, characterized by its ambition and star-studded lineup, appears to be the primary beneficiary of Williams' presence. However, the Mathrubhumi group, with its integrated media sponsorship model, presents a formidable competitor, reportedly making concerted efforts to secure Williams for their own event. The contrasting financial and operational frameworks of these festivals underscore the diverse strategies employed to capture audience attention and solidify cultural presence. The extent to which these festivals can achieve sustainable success and broaden their impact remains an evolving narrative within the region's cultural landscape.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Kerala?
Two book festivals are happening at the same time. Astronaut Sunita Williams is visiting Kerala and both festivals want her to attend.
Q: Who is Sunita Williams?
Sunita Williams is a retired NASA astronaut who has spent many days in space. She is famous for her work.
Q: Why are the festivals competing?
Both festivals want to be more popular and have famous guests. Sunita Williams is a very famous guest, so they both want her to come to their event.
Q: How are the festivals different?
One festival, KLF, is very big and has many famous people. The other festival is supported by a big newspaper company, Mathrubhumi, which helps it get noticed all year.