Mysore/Mysuru: Noted women writers Anisha Lalvani, Divyata Rajaram and Shalini P. Sawkar emphasised that beyond storytelling, literature must remain grounded in humanity and social relevance.

The authors were speaking at a panel discussion titled ‘Social Relevance of Writing: In Times of TED Talks, Reels, Vlogs and AI-Generated Thriller Content,’ held yesterday, the concluding day of the 9th Mysuru Literature Festival.

The panellists expressed concern over the increasing dominance of Artificial Intelligence in storytelling, arguing that AI-generated content often lacks emotional depth, human values and cultural insight.

“While writers pour their thoughts and emotions into their work, AI lacks this emotional grounding,” they said. “Reading and writing should offer pleasure and intellectual engagement, not be reduced to mere  technical output.”

Writer Divyata Rajaram, who launched her new book ‘The Secrets We Keep,’ said it captures the spirit of resilience and recovery. “It’s a story of winning after loss. The book explores emotional positionality and invites readers into a journey of re-exploration,” she said.

Anisha Lalvani spoke about her book ‘Girls Who Stay,’ describing it as rooted in introspection and motivation. “It navigates the internal complexities of people around us and encourages readers to reflect,” she added.

Introducing her novel ‘Confessions of an IT Employee,’ author Shalini P. Sawkar said the story portrays the emotional and professional struggles of four individuals navigating the high-pressure world of corporate life. “It explores internal conflict, societal expectations and personal growth,” she said.

The panel was moderated by journalist Bharathi Ghanashyam.