Perhaps it's the location, a heritage hotel in a city of faded royal splendour. Maybe it's the crowd: a motley crew of writers, Bollywood stars, agents and critics, groupies and, of course, book lovers. Whatever the reason, the Jaipur Literature Festival, which kicked off in the Pink City Thursday, has grown into a must-do event for publishers and party animals alike, creating a sometimes raucous affair with packed readings, heated debates and eclectic music performances. Now in its fifth year, the event is billed by many as the biggest literary festival in Asia, drawing larger crowds than its also international peers in Galle, Sri Lanka and Ubud, on the Indonesian island of Bali. It also scores higher for the sheer variety of attendees that range from Booker Prize winners to Bollywood stars rubbing shoulders with school students and day-trippers. From 18 writers in 2006 the festival has drawn a steady stream of Pulitzer and Booker Prize winners. Last year, more than 100 writers and 20,000 visitors thronged the five-day festival. Writers this year include Alexander McCall Smith, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle.
