Goa Book Festival Day 2 brings together literature, screen narratives and cultural dialogue

Goa Khabar : The second day of the Goa Book Festival witnessed a strong focus on literary engagement, with a series of sessions that brought together authors, speakers, scholars and readers. From insightful literary discussions to engaging dialogues, the day offered audiences an opportunity to listen, reflect and connect with ideas that go beyond the written page. 

Hon’ble Governor of Goa Visits the Festival

A special visit by Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Hon’ble Governor of Goa, added distinction to the day, as he toured the book fair, interacted with publishers and readers across age groups. He later spent time at the Children’s Corner, where he interacted warmly with students and felicitated meritorious children from various schools, presenting them with books published by National Book Trust, India.

From Sonpari to Balika Vadhu: Stories That Shaped a Generation

From Sonpari to Balika Vadhu, icons of India television screens took centre stage, revisiting characters that shaped memories and sparked meaningful conversations. In the session “From Screen to Page: A Storyteller’s Journey”, acclaimed actor Mrinal Kulkarni in conversation with Sanjay Chakanne, reflected on a life shaped by stories and the written word. Born into a family of writers, Kulkarni spoke about growing up with books and how reading influenced her creative choices and understanding of storytelling. Recalling her iconic role as Sonpari, Kulkarni spoke of her initial doubts about whether children would embrace a fairy tale in an age dominated by superheroes, and expressed delight at the overwhelming love the show received across India and beyond, an affection that continues as fans still recognise her as their cherished Sonpari.

This was followed by “Growing with the Characters We Play” featuring actor Avika Gor in conversation with Vedanta Agarwal, about her iconic role as Anandi. She shared how the deeper significance of the character continued to unfold for her over the years, something she did not fully grasp at a young age but has come to understand with time. She shared how audiences, including survivors of child marriage, have approached her to say that the character inspired them to speak up and challenge centuries-old traditions. Reflecting on the blurred lines between where the character ended and where she herself began, she also acknowledged the strength of the writing and direction of the show, and paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran actor and her co-star in the show, Surekha Sikri.

Author’s Corner Hosts Series of Discussions

At the Author’s Corner, the day began with a thought-provoking session titled “Nation First: A Shared Conversation”, featuring senior journalist Uday Mahurkar in conversation with Vedanta Agarwal, where the discussion examined themes of secularism, the politics of appeasement and the evolving nature of nationalism. The session highlighted the vision of a cohesive India, one that brings together all sections of society and faiths, and reflected on how such unity is essential for India’s progress.

In the session “Lekhakancho Bhauman Suvalo”, a special programme dedicated to honouring authors, Digamber Kamat, former Chief Minister of Goa; Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, NBT-India; and Dr Kiran Thakur, Chief Patron of the Goa Book Festival and Chairman, Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, spoke on the enduring power of books and the vital role of writers in shaping society, as authors were felicitated for their contributions to literature.

Another panel titled “The Moving Body, The Still Mind: Paths to Inner Strength,” featured Shiv Mathur, Indian Navy veteran, author and spiritual thinker, and Madhavi P. Subramanian, former Indian Navy officer, author and endurance athlete. Their conversation flowed between movement and mindfulness, highlighting how physical practice and inner stillness together build balance, clarity and strength.

The third session at the Author’s Corner on Sahitya Akademi Award–winning books featured Dr Prakash S. Parienkar, Sahitya Akademi Award–winning Konkani writer and Vice Dean (Research), Goa University, and Dr Madhu S. G. Ghodkirekar, Associate Professor at Goa Medical College and noted Goan columnist, in conversation on literature, language and cultural memory, highlighting the enduring relevance of award-winning writing in shaping regional voices.

Children’s Corner Comes Alive with Stories and Theatre

At the Children’s Corner, 3,000 young, curious minds embarked on a joyful journey into the land of imagination, creativity, stories and dramatics. The morning came alive with dramatic echoes as Team NCCL- the children’s wing of NBT-India – enchanted young listeners through the lively and musical story of “Babban Hajam”. Action soon spilled onto the stage with “Role, Camera, Action! Theatre” by Aarti Sharma where young theatre enthusiasts eagerly followed every cue, lending their voices and expressions to a light-hearted, humorous enactment of “The King and the Lion”. At “Young Authors’ Launchpad”, young published writers shared their journeys into the world of writing and publishing.

The day ended with an energetic performance by Parashara Band, a Delhi-based progressive rock outfit known for their high-energy live sets and lively renditions of popular Bollywood hits that had the audience dancing into the evening.

About the Goa Book Festival 2026

Organised by the National Book Trust, India (Ministry of Education) in association with the Government of Goa, Samarth Yuva Foundation, and Lokmanya Cultural Foundation, it promises a five-day celebration of books, ideas and culture. The Goa Book Festival brings together readers, writers, publishers and thinkers from across the country, offering an immersive experience for audiences of all age groups, featuring over 250 book stalls by more than 100 publishers, showcasing a diverse range of titles in English, Konkani, Marathi, and other Indian languages.

The Goa Book Festival 2026 also features a special exhibition titled “Goa: Stories of Light and Delight.” This exhibition projects the representative works of Mario de Miranda and Shashi Shetye, who have contributed to the making of many classics for children published by National Book Trust, India. Along with this, the fair also features special exhibitions celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram and the life and contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel @150.

With its rich blend of literature, art and culture, the Goa Book Festival 2026 marks a significant addition to India’s literary landscape. Entry to the festival is free and all visitors can enjoy a 10% discount on all books. The festival will remain open daily from 4-8 February (11:00 AM to 8:00 PM). As the first edition unfolds, the Goa Book Festival sets the foundation for a lasting cultural tradition that celebrates books not merely as objects of reading, but as bridges connecting ideas, generations and imaginations.