Literature festivals are great ways for bibliophiles to meet other readers, interact with their favourite authors and engage in meaningful discussions. If you’re a book-lover on the lookout for some great literature festivals in India, we’ve got you covered! By Anushka Goel
Given the love for reading, there’s no wonder that the world gathers in cities across the world, at various literature festivals, to share their love for reading and interact with their favourite authors. These sessions act as a window into the author’s mind, as both the speakers and the audience learn from each other, expanding their knowledge and, at times, imbibing newer viewpoints that they probably didn’t know existed.
So, if you’re someone who picks up a book whenever you have some time in hand, we recommend that you check out these lit fests in India.
9 literature festivals in India for the true bibliophiles
Jaipur Literature Festival
The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is one of India’s biggest fests for bibliophiles. The fest sees the participation of thousands of book lovers, who come here to experience the new releases, interact with their favourite authors and experience reading with a community of like-minded individuals. The fest offers engaging discussions on various themes, offering insights into the various texts and ways of being. What’s more, several Bollywood stars and eminent Indian and international authors are a regular feature here!
Know more here.
Times Lit Fest
Organised by the Times Group, Times Lit Fest is hosted across cities at different times, and features panel discussions with seasoned and new authors, celebrity interactions, book readings and more. The fest makes for a great way for both youngsters and adults alike to meet and greet with like-minded people – even authors as young as 12!
Know more here.
Tata Literature Live
Mumbai’s largest international literary event, the Tata literature live! features authors, poets, thought leaders and more from across various fields, who gather on a common platform to exchange their knowledge and ideas. The fest includes various sessions, which book enthusiasts can access on the fest’s social media platforms.
Know more here.
Jashn-e-Rekhta
Probably one of the largest literature festivals dedicated to a language, Jashn-e-Rekhta happens every year in India’s capital, Delhi. The festival, organised by the Rekhta Foundation, features Urdu poets, authors and enthusiasts discussing various poems, nazms, and more. The days of the festival are marked by several musical and cultural performances, celebrating the nuances of Urdu and the various people who read and write in the language.
Know more here.
Kerala Literature Festival
Among Kerala’s biggest literary events, the Kerala Literature Festival features writers and audience members engaging in conversations across topics – be it literature, media, art, technology or more. Set along the Arabian Sea, the fest offers people the perfect comfortable environment to be themselves as they explore the world of literature that they probably didn’t imagine.
Know more here.
Delhi Literature Festival
The Delhi Literature Festival, which happens in the capital city of India, is an annual event that began almost a decade ago in 2013. The festival features planned literary events such as panel discussions, book readings, book launches, workshops, live performances, speaker events, poetry, music, theatre, cinema and more, for enthusiasts to engage in.
Know more here.
Hyderabad Literary Festival
The Hyderabad Literary Festival celebrates creativity in all forms and draws over 100 writers and authors who come together to showcase their works. The festival started over a decade ago in 2010, and since then has become an important part of the city’s events calendar, which includes workshops and film screenings apart from discussions, for all to attend – even school and college children.
Know more here.
Bangalore Literature Festival
Bengaluru has been the hub of creativity and tech for a long time now. With its ideal weather, numerous parks and fields, the city is a haven for those who are in the creative fields, and thus, the Bangalore Literature Festival acts as their catalyst to unleash creativity and learn more. The festival began in 2012, and since then has hosted over 1,000 panellists and thousands of visitors.
Know more here.
Khushwant Singh LitFest
The Khushwant Singh Literary Festival began in 2012 to celebrate and promote the ideas and works of the celebrated author and journalist. With a new theme every year, the literature festival sees authors, panellists and more engage in exciting discussions and talks over the course of the fest days, exchanging ideas and discussing the author and his works.
Know more here.
