7 months ago
Kerala Celebrates Literary Festivals with Diverse Voices
Kerala is hosting two big book festivals.
The first one, called the Kerala Literature Festival, just happened and had lots of famous people talking about books and other interesting things.
They even had fun activities like flying kites and making puppets.
The second festival, called the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, is going to start soon and will have even more famous people talking about books and other cool stuff.
Both festivals are all about bringing people together to share ideas and have a good time.
They also care about the environment and try to be eco-friendly.
It's like a big party for book lovers!
The ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) featured diverse sessions in Malayalam and English, with notable speakers like Sunita Williams, Salman Rushdie, and Abdulrazak Gurnah.
The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, to be inaugurated by Mohanlal, will feature speakers like K R Meera, Jonas Luscher, and Shabana Azmi, and will run from January 29 to February 1, 2026.
Both festivals emphasize environmental sustainability and offer a variety of cultural activities, including book launches, musical performances, and art installations.
The Kerala Literature Festival is organized by DC Books, while the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters is organized by the Mathrubhumi Group.
The festivals aim to celebrate diverse voices and foster intellectual and cultural exchange, with a focus on engaging, challenging, and inspiring audiences.
- Who
- Notable speakers and participants include Sunita Williams, Salman Rushdie, Shashi Tharoor, Abhijit Banerjee, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Jimmy Wales, Mohanlal, M A Yusuff Ali, K R Meera, Jonas Luscher, Declan Walsh, Shabana Azmi, Rahul Pandita, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Priyanka Chaturvedi.
- What
- Two major literary festivals, the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) and the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, are being held in Kerala, featuring diverse sessions, speakers, and cultural events.
- Where
- The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) was held in Kozhikode, Kerala. The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- When
- The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) took place over several days, with specific events and talks scheduled throughout. The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters is set to begin on January 29, 2026, and will run until February 1, 2026.
- Why
- These festivals aim to bring together a multiplicity of voices and curious, well-read audiences for spirited conversations on various topics, celebrating literature, culture, and art.
Key facts
- Event 1
- Kerala Literature Festival (KLF)
- Edition 1
- Ninth
- Location 1
- Kozhikode, Kerala
- Notable Speakers 1
- Sunita Williams, Salman Rushdie, Shashi Tharoor, Abhijit Banerjee, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Jimmy Wales
- Unique Features 1
- Equal sessions in Malayalam and English, diverse topics, kite-flying event
- Books Launched 1
- Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah, There's a Ghost in My Room by Sanjoy K. Roy
- Organizer 1
- DC Books
- CEO of Organizer 1
- Ravi Deecee
- Event 2
- Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters
- Edition 2
- Seventh
- Location 2
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Notable Speakers 2
- Mohanlal, M A Yusuff Ali, K R Meera, Jonas Luscher, Declan Walsh, Shabana Azmi, Rahul Pandita, Mohammad Azharuddin, Priyanka Chaturvedi
- Unique Features 2
- Environmental sustainability, diverse line-up of speakers, cultural showcases
- Organizer 2
- Mathrubhumi Group
- Festival Director 2
- M V Shreyams Kumar
- Festival Curator 2
- V Venu
Quotes
M V Shreyams Kumar
Festival Director & Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Group
“The 2026 edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters truly embodies the spirit of our festival-a celebration of diverse voices and powerful narratives that engage, challenge, and inspire audiences from around the world.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We are delighted to present a lineup that reflects the festival's commitment to intellectual and cultural exchange.”
deccanchronicle.com
V Venu
Festival Curator, MBIFL
“MBIFL is a vibrant tapestry of books, ideas, and conversations-where curiosity meets creativity, and exploration sparks discovery. The festival examines the complexities of our changing world while offering inspiration and hope for a brighter future.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Alongside thought-provoking discussions, attendees can enjoy performances, workshops, and cultural showcases that celebrate the diversity of artistic expression across disciplines.”
deccanchronicle.com
