I am quite chuffed to tell you that this weekend I am going to hobnob with some very well-known literary giants from this region, namely the eastern Himalayas roughly comprising Darjeeling, Sikkim and the Northeast.

Cafe the Twins–it is my favourite place in Siliguri and I shall tell you more about it later–and Chhimeki, a voluntary organisation focussed on community-building, are organising the second edition of the Foothill Notes a literary meet that celebrates Eastern Himalayan Writings in English. Mentored by Pankaj Thapa, the illustrious illustrator and academic based in Gangtok, the Foothills team has put together a stellar lineup of poets, novelists and non-fiction writers from across the region. Check this video to know a few of them.

Now, for the disclaimer, I have by the stroke of some luck become part of this absolutely eclectic and majorly delightful team comprising Lekha, Smriti, Abhay and Satyadeep-da (who, by the way, is also a speaker at the meet), apart from Mr. Thapa. They are the brain, heart and muscles behind the whole show. Since I am privy to all the top-secret conversations, I thought I let you know what makes this literary meet a truly special affair.

First, this is NOT a “literary festival”. Big festivals, we love them; O yes, we do. The organising team has nothing against them; but they choose not to be like them. Foothills is an independent venture taken up an independent bookstore–Cafe the Twins in Salbari (run by my absolute favourite Lekha baini). It is free from sponsors shopping for eyeballs or brands vying for your attention. As a self-funded exercise, it aims to serve the interests of nobody except the literature-loving, book-worshipping minds.

Second, this exclusively celebrates writings coming out from this region, the area extending beyond India’s chicken neck. The whole of India showers so much attention on us–I know, and you know–but we could still do with some self-love.

Third, this is an intimate space. Again, we have nothing against those melas where we can drown ourselves in the sea of humanity. But we feel there is no match for slow-paced, intimate tête-à-têtes in the cozy confines of Cafe the Twins. You can listen to your favourite authors speak from a close distance, ask them any questions you want, get your books signed and linger on for free-wheeling chats over tea.

Check out the programme details here:

As I told you, Cafe the Twins is my favourite place to hang out in Siliguri, and not just because of its good tea or good books. It is the kind of a place that you want to have in every locality. It is a meeting place for ideas. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Lekha Rai, the unassuming owner, there is now a thriving Cafe the Twins community (if I may say so) centered around books, literature and culture in Siliguri. Not only me, my two kids are also very happy to be a part of it.

I am really looking forward to Foothill Notes, not least because I also will be moderating a session with stalwarts like Mamang Dai and Dhruba Hazarika. Now that’s some panel! Don’t know to what I owe this privilege. Looking forward with excitement (and trepidation too).

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