Above: Renowned Indian poet, lyricist, and director Gulzar, left, with writer Pavan Varma, who translated the poet’s work from Hindustani into English, at Jaipur Literature Festival 2011.

Asia-Pacific’s largest literary festival, the Jaipur Literature Festival is set to draw book-enthusiasts to the Indian city from January 20 to 24. This year, the annual celebration of Indian and international literature will feature renowned authors Tom Stoppard, Deepak Chopra, and Michael Ondaatje, among others. Encompassing discussions, readings, and workshops, the festival will be held at Diggi Palace, an 1860s haveli converted into a hotel. The big question on everybody’s lips this year is whether Salmon Rushdie, who has been scheduled to attend the event, will visit the city of 6.6 million as planned following mounting security concerns. The festival is free and open to all and this year the organizers are expecting around 100,000 attendees.