The city’s slickest and intellectually stimulating event, India’s first ever Lit Fest was hosted at sea. The Queensline Lit Fest – three days of incredible dialogue and debate by some of the world’s greatest minds witnessed the most spectacular views of Mumbai’s imposing skyline at a distance and sunsets to die for.
Amidst the array of events hosted in the city’s commercial capital, the Queensline Lit Fest easily stole the thunder with the amazing view it garnered of Mumbai’s coastline from the middle of the sea onboard the Queensline Sea Yah! With the setting sun enveloping the sky in a rich burnt orange hue and the cool sea wind blowing, the people made headways to the upper deck to enjoy the great hospitality available onboard.
Shripriya Thirani Dalmia launched her book Altars of Yearning which talks about the concept of how India prays.
It was inaugurated by world-renowned barrister and former first lady of the UK, Cherie Blair, on 29 January recently.
Acclaimed filmmaker, actress and activist Nandita Das joined for a special session with Former First Lady of Britain Cherie Blair who opened the fest to bat for India’s widows on behalf of the Loomba Foundation. The revenue generated at this festival was donated to the widows of the country.
The festival took place on board Mumbai’s brand new addresses on the sea — Queensline Neverland and Queensline Sea YAH — cruising ships that can each accommodate 400 people. The fine dine cruise ship offers the best in hospitality as you cruise the coastline of Mumbai which offers a breathtaking view of the iconic Gateway of India and the Hotel Taj Mahal from Sea.
Queensline owner and founder of the QLF Shripriya Dalmia Thirani said, “Space is vital for any sort of intellectual discourse. India is a place for debates and literature. Queensline isn’t a cruise ship or just a floating restaurant. It is Mumbai’s brand new address on the sea – its deck the venerable new spot for everything creative. This is the first of out large creative events – the first ever Lit Fest on the sea. We have some of India’s greatest minds talking about the issues of the present – from faith and religion to women and widows. It will be a massive draw and we already have a major interest in the festival.”
This unique Lit Fest featured some of the best minds from the literary world. The participants and guests were able to listen to the stalwarts from the world of books and also witness Mumbai’s sensational views.
On 30 January, India’s most renowned photographer Raghu Rai in a conversation with festival director Kounteya Sinha, talked about his concept of faith and believe in the world.
He says, “My faith always lied in the pictures I clicked over these years because that is something that physically existed for me. Adding to that he also said that one must train their mind body and soul for everything to be perfect and work for them.“
In conversation with the festival director, “CEREBRAL DISCOURSES have become common in India – it definitely shows how debate and discussions are intrinsic to the DNA of a common Indian. Mumbai is a Mecca for such incredible festivals. Queensline which is now Mumbai’s largest dining room on the sea is clear of its intention – it wants its deck to be Mumbai’s latest cultural hub – a place people can engage, talk about arts and culture, watch performances under an open sky glistening with stars and come up with brilliant solutions to our urban and rural needs through debate and dialogue. QLF 2019 will open Mumbai’s greatest asset – the Arabian Sea as a place where great minds meet and engage” says, Kounteya Sinha – internationally renowned curator and QLF festival director.
The curtain closure had Bollywood celebrity and Cancer survivor and fighter Manisha Koirala in conversation with Veteran Journalist Uma Nair on her blockbuster new book “Healed – How Cancer gave life”. This was followed by a book reading on Sanjay Khan’s book “ The Best Mistakes Of My Life”.
The beautiful Jaya Pradha also made an appearance and was seen interacting with the patrons at the fest.
LIFESTYLES OF MUMBAI 