Ever wondered why Jaipur Lit Fest is so big? These writers have the answer

We asked three prominent writers who are regulars at the Jaipur Literature Festival about the popularity and hype around the 'annual literary pilgrimage'. Jeet Thayil, riding on the success of his debut novel Narcopolis (2012), said JLF invented the dazzlement around the concept of holding a literature festival. The combination of books, wine and amazing conversations make a perfect recipe for success, he adds. Film critic and journalist Anupama Chopra shared a similar opinion. It was amazing, she said, that the festival was is able to draw crowds towards something that is not cricket and bollywood. Bettany Hughes, an award-winning author and broadcaster, is a debutant at Jaipur Lit Fest and directed the success to the quality of the festival. She said it is 'wisdom and philosophy incarnate'.