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#PageTurners
What’s Hot in Indian YA Fiction
Speakers
The timeless love for reading, particularly young adult fiction, thrives in that glorious corner of the internet—Bookstagram and BookTok—dedicated to books, where heartfelt reviews, discourses on classics, and subs enriching beloved stories with hot takes, POVs, and fanfics converge. This vibrant online ecosystem seamlessly extends into real-life gatherings, creating a dynamic forum where virtual discussions about young adult narratives spark deeper in-person dialogues and connections. It’s a testament to the enduring relevance of stories, whether shared in paperback, hardbound, or PDFs.
Join us for a panel discussion centered around Poile Sengupta’s novel, A Higgledy Piggledy Growing Up. This 90-minute session will feature a panel of four passionate readers, writers, and lovers of literature, exploring the evolution and current state of young adult crossover fiction in Indian English literature—a genre that has blossomed significantly over the past two decades.
The discussion will dive into how today’s cultural dynamics in India cultivate a fertile ground for innovative narratives that resonate across generations. The panel will explore Higgledy Piggledy Growing Up, following Neel, a fourteen-year-old from Bengaluru, whose ordinary life is swept up in extraordinary adventures—combining humour, romance, and a poignant awareness of societal divides – promising a deeper understanding of how young adult literature both reflects and influences the shifting societal landscape, enhancing appreciation for its transformative impact.
Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this event is designed to deepen your connection with the transformative world of young adult literature in India.
The session will be peppered with readings and the panel will engage in Q&A with the audience towards the end.
Speakers
Poile Sengupta
Poile Sengupta’s work straddles five decades and all genres of writing. She is a playwright, poet, novelist and short fiction writer, both for children and adults. The sheer volume of her work for children is mind-boggling—nearly two dozen books, and two dozen anthology entries. She has acted in the films The Outhouse and Shaitan. She was a member of the jury for the 2010 and 2012 Trinity Guildhall International Children’s Playwriting Competitions, and for five years on the Governing Council of the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
Kirtana Kumar
Kirtana Kumar is an actor, director and filmmaker. She trained with The Asian-American Theatre Project at The Los Angeles Theatre Centre and has a Master’s Degree in European Classics and American Literature. She runs Little Jasmine Theatre Project, Theatre Lab (Youth) and Infinite Souls Farm & Artists Retreat. She recently wrote a book of short stories called Bangalore Blues.
Aditi Mallya
Aditi Mallya is a fifteen-year old collector of the unusual items that she stumbles upon, and find their way into her books and boxes. Part-time poet and actor, full-time student, she loves to write poetry, read, sketch and create works of multi-media art. With a flower in her hair, a smile on her face, and a novel in her hand, she knows she can take on any challenge.
Nikhil Agrawal
Nikhil Agrawal is a 14-year-old teenager and a ninth-grader at National Public School in Koramangala. He likes playing cricket, badminton, swimming, and chess, as well as learning music – he plays the keyboard and guitar. In a nutshell, he is quite a jolly good fellow.
