This past weekend, the Literature Association of North America (LANA) hosted a two-day literary camp in Fremont, California, and to say it was an enriching experience would be an understatement. From thought-provoking discussions to joyful camaraderie, the event brought together writers, poets, readers, and dreamers under one creative umbrella.
The atmosphere buzzed with stories, laughter, and inspiration as attendees engaged in sessions that covered a wide range of literary themes. Whether it was fiction or memoir, poetry or publishing advice, every speaker brought a unique voice to the table—each one adding another brushstroke to this vibrant tapestry of words.
The camp kicked off on Friday evening with a warm "Meet and Greet," setting the stage for the engaging inaugural function. Anchored by the dynamic duo of Tom Antony and Smitha Kottarath, the evening unfolded with a welcoming address by John Kodiyan, followed by a nostalgic look at LANA's history through a captivating video. Sankar Mana's presidential address set a thoughtful tone for the days ahead, culminating in the inauguration by the esteemed Madassery Neelakantan. The evening was further graced by insightful felicitations from Athmaraman and Thampy Antony, leading into a thought-provoking speech by Vinod Narayan on the "Struggling World of Reading" (വഴിമുട്ടുന്ന വായനാലോകം). Smitha Kottarath's vote of thanks brought the formal proceedings to a close before a delicious dinner.
The evening continued with a poignant remembrance of the legendary M.T. Vasudevan Nair, introduced by Haridas Thankappan and eloquently delivered via Zoom by K.P. Ramanunni. This session fostered a heartfelt connection with a literary giant, followed by an engaging interaction with the esteemed writer. Damu Kesavath's wrap-up marked the end of a stimulating first day.
Saturday dawned with a hearty breakfast, fueling attendees for another day of literary immersion. The morning sessions delved into the vibrant world of American Malayali writers, moderated by Raji Menon, followed by personal reflections on "M.T. in My Reading" (എന്റെ വായനയിലെ എം. ടി.), skillfully moderated by Sreevalsan Vallath. After a brief break, the discussions continued with "Malayalam Works That Influenced Me" (എന്നെ സ്വാധീനിച്ച മലയാള കൃതികൾ), guided by Sukumar Canada.
The afternoon offered a creative outlet with a "Kaviyarangam" (poetry session) moderated by Jacob John, showcasing the poetic talents within the community. A tea break provided a moment of respite before a memorable photo session captured the camaraderie of the event.
The closing ceremony, expertly MC'd by Raji Menon, was a fitting culmination to the camp. Sreevalsan Vallath welcomed the attendees, followed by another insightful presidential address by Sankar Mana. The ceremony included the honoring of Madassery Neelakantan and a moving rendition of Sugathakumari's poem "Kattupakshi" (കാട്ടുപക്ഷി) by Manasi Mahima Mahesh.
One of the standout moments of the camp was the honor of introducing Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan—renowned author, poet, and speaker—to the stage. Her talk, “Children’s Books: Entertainment or Educational?”, was not just insightful, but deeply resonant. She reminded us of the power of storytelling in shaping young minds—how the best books both delight and teach, entertain and enlighten. It was a privilege to welcome her and witness her charm and intellect firsthand.
A highlight of the closing ceremony was the captivating speech by Athmaraman on "The Paths of Reading" (വായനയുടെ വഴികൾ). With thoughtful reflections and eloquent clarity, he delved into how reading is not just an act of consuming words but a journey of connecting with the author's mind—their emotions, interpretations, and unique style of expression.
He spoke about the beauty of understanding a poet’s or writer’s method and meaning, emphasizing that every reader has the opportunity to assimilate the essence of a work by engaging deeply with its rhythm, context, and subtext. His insights encouraged the audience to go beyond the surface, to pause, reflect, and truly experience literature as a dialogue between the creator and the reader. It was a powerful conclusion to a weekend that celebrated the written word in all its richness.
The ceremony continued with an engaging and thought-provoking speech by Umesh P. Narendran on the intricacies of "Translating Poetry" (കവിതകൾ പരിഭാഷപ്പെടുത്തുമ്പോൾ). His reflections on the delicate balance between preserving the emotional essence of a poem and staying true to its linguistic structure were insightful and deeply resonant.
What truly captivated me was Umesh’s effortless recitation of Sanskrit shlokas, followed by his thoughtful and articulate explanations. It transported me back to my own Sanskrit and Hindi classes, rekindling a nostalgic connection with the classical languages and the layered beauty they carry. I was completely glued to the session, hanging on to every word. His ability to blend scholarship with heartfelt delivery made it one of the most enjoyable and enriching parts of the entire event, followed by the exciting kick-off of the LANA Biennial Convention by Haridas Thankappan. Adding to the cultural richness, Maushmi Mahima Mahesh recited Ayyappapanicker's powerful poem "Agnipooja" (അഗ്നിപൂജ). One of the most mesmerizing moments of the literary camp was experiencing the presence of Bindu Tiji, a truly multi-talented personality who effortlessly wears the hats of an actor, writer, and poetess. Her aura on stage was captivating, and her words carried the weight of lived experience, artistic depth, and heartfelt emotion.
Bindu's ability to shift between dramatic expression, lyrical narration, and thoughtful reflection left the audience spellbound. Whether it was her poignant poetry or the nuanced stories she shared, there was an authenticity in her delivery that drew everyone in. She embodied the spirit of creativity and passion, and her performance reminded us all of the profound power of the arts to touch, move, and inspire.
Her presence was not just memorable—it was magnetic, a highlight that will be cherished by everyone who witnessed it.
The evening also celebrated the contributions of several literary figures, including the honoring of Athmaraman, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Vinod Narayan, Thampy Antony, Geeta George, and Sukumar Canada. John Kodiyan's vote of thanks officially concluded the enriching two-day camp, followed by a final, delightful dinner.
But beyond the sessions and speeches, it was the connections we formed that left a lasting impression. Two days was all it took for strangers to become friends, for pages to turn into shared memories, and for a literary camp to feel like a family gathering. The conversations spilled into breaks, the laughter echoed into lunch hours, and by the end of it all, none of us wanted to leave.
As we now return to our daily routines, a part of us lingers in those Fremont moments—grateful, inspired, and already missing the community we created. Here's to literature, to lifelong learning, and to many more camps like this in the future.
~Dawn
