Discussions on Sharia law, gay and lesbian literature and the 18th century sexual revolution The Jaipur Literature Festival, which had hit the headlines last year for protest against Salman Rushdie ‘s participation, is gearing up for another explosive season. The festival, in its 6th year, has decided to include controversial subjects such as Sharia law, gay and lesbian literature and the 18th century sexual revolution, among others. It is scheduled to be held from January 24 to 28. The organisers have claimed that the international list of authors participating at this year’s festival is the “most cerebral, intellectually-stimulating and high-powered ever fielded”. In fiction this year, the festival proposes to host Commonwealth Prizewinner Aminatta Forna from Sierra Leone, Booker Prize-winner Howard Jacobson, two Orange Prizewinners, Linda Grant and Madeline Miller, and Abraham Verghese – the bestselling writer of Indian origin in the US. Two of the respected novelists in the Arab world – Ahdaf Soueif and Tahar Ben Jalloun – are also expected to attend the festival. Sharing his enthusiasm festival co-director William Dalrymple said: “It’s going to be absolutely extraordinary five days and only wish it were possible to clone oneself so that one could attend five sessions simultaneously.”
