Bhubaneswar: The vibrant city of Bhubaneswar is gearing up to unfold the timeless narratives of “Legends of Ancient Bharat and Beyond: Inspiring Lived Experience in the 21st Century” as the prestigious Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) enters its 10th edition. The event, hosted at Swosti Premium, promises a diverse literary tapestry, encompassing poetry, politics, art, athletics, science, environment, mythology, and mysticism. The eagerly awaited festival will host esteemed speakers from four nations – Japan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India, adding an enriching international dimension to the proceedings.
The virtual inauguration by Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, emphasizes the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, allowing participants worldwide to engage in the festivities. With its multilingual approach, the festival represents a global convergence of languages, highlighting its dedication to celebrating the rich linguistic diversity of our world.The KLF acts as a dynamic hub where conversations thread seamlessly into the rich fabric of India’s cultural heritage. Sessions covering democracy, digital revolutions, cultural nationalism, and climate justice promise to offer a kaleidoscope of thought-provoking dialogue.
The highlight of the literary celebration is the presentation of the Kalinga Literary Awards for 2024, recognizing four outstanding women writers. Esteemed awardees include Hindi Novelist Nasira Sharma, diplomat and author Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Nepali academic and writer Prof. Beena Poudyal, and emerging talent Radhika Iyengar. Their contributions underscore the festival’s commitment to promoting diverse voices and literary achievements.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the publishing industry, the KLF honors Penguin Random House and HarperCollins Publishers India with the Publishing House of the Year Award for their exemplary work in fostering literary excellence and inclusivity.
Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and Director of the Kalinga Literary Festival, reiterates the festival’s dedication to celebrating literary achievements across genres and platforms.
The festival’s theme, “Legends of Ancient Bharat and Beyond,” will be explored through engaging sessions featuring over 300 esteemed speakers, including luminaries such as Sitakanta Mohapatra, Amish Tripathi, Paramita Satapathy, Arundhathi Subramaniam, Usha Uthup, Uday Prakash, K.R Meera, Dr. Hindol Sengupta, Milee Ashwarya, Yatish Kumar, Maria Goretti, Koral Dasgupta, Nila Madhab Panda, Sudharsan Pattnaik, Sandeep Bamzai, among others.
The KLF will resonate with the echoes of myriad voices and perspectives, exploring topics from democracy and digital revolutions to cultural nationalism and climate justice. The festival will also feature the unveiling of over 30 new literary works and scholarly monographs, offering an enriching experience for delegates and speakers alike. Mystic Walks and cycling tours will provide a unique opportunity to engage with the cultural heritage and environment of Bhubaneswar, adding to the festival’s vibrant tapestry of literary creation and cultural exploration.
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