Congress MP and celebrated author Shashi Tharoor captivated the audience at the 12th edition of the Pune International Literature Festival (PILF) by coining three unique words— Omnivestatude, Atmami, and Aeternamour—designed to capture profound and abstract emotions.
These words symbolise a deep connection with the universe, the recognition of soul bonds across lifetimes, and eternal love, respectively. Tharoor's engaging session, filled with humor and linguistic insights, also explored the evolution of Indian English, making it one of the festival's standout moments.
The festival, which took place on December 14 and 15 at the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), was inaugurated by Tharoor alongside PILF founder Dr. Manjiri Prabhu. Other notable speakers included Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Dr Murray Tod, Monica Cantieni, Dr Pushkar Misra, Dr Alka Pande, and Nadim Sadek.
The event kicked off with the launch of Tharoor’s latest book, A Wonderland of Words: Around the World in 101 Essays, followed by a lively conversation with Manjiri Prabhu. During their discussion, Tharoor was challenged to create words for emotions that transcend conventional language. The new words he introduced—Omnivestatude, Atmami, and Aeternamour—left the audience mesmerised with their depth and creativity.
Humorous anecdotes by Tharoor
Tharoor also shared humorous anecdotes, including a discussion of Indian English quirks. Tharoor emphasised that Indian English, while rooted in colonial history, has grown into a distinct and vibrant variant that reflects India’s cultural diversity.
“Indian English is not just a derivative; it’s a living, breathing language that has carved its own identity,” he remarked. He also pointed out a common mistake most Indians tend to make: "Ranjit this side," which is completely wrong—"Which side?" he asked, laughingly. He also shared anecdotes from the book, like the use of the word "truck" instead of "lorry," which is US English. He noted that we Indians also have an American English influence. The audience was delighted by his humorous yet insightful take on how Indian English continues to influence and enrich global communication.
The session ended on a high note with Dr Manjiri Prabhu coining the term Charinspirer—a word to describe someone like Tharoor, who is charming, charismatic, and inspiring.
