National, November 2025: The inaugural edition of the Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) is set to take place from 21 to 25 December 2025 at the historic site of Rajgir, situated in the Nalanda district of Bihar. Organized by Jashn-e-Adab, the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, the Shining Muskan Foundation, and Dhanu Bihar, in collaboration with Nalanda University, the festival will celebrate the grandeur of India’s knowledge, culture, and heritage at the provenance that once stood as the world’s foremost centre of learning.
Set against the backdrop of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and timeless emblem of India’s intellectual excellence, the festival aims to rekindle the spirit of inquiry that defined Nalanda’s legacy. It will promote India’s civilizational heritage, linguistic diversity, and literary traditions while inspiring younger generations to engage with ideas, creativity, and dialogue. Through thought-provoking sessions, interactive workshops, and vibrant performances, the festival will bridge the wisdom of the past with the imagination of the present.
The NLF is led by a dedicated organising committee, consisting of former member of Rajya Sabha Dr. Sonal Mansingh; Indian filmmaker and screenwriter Adoor Gopalkrishnan; Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Sachidanand Joshi; social activist and Chairperson of the festival D. Aaliya; Member of the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta and Board Member of IGNCA, Ministry of Culture Shri Harshvardhan Neotia; author, columnist, and a poet Dr. Pankaj KP Shreyaskar; career bureaucrat, social activist and festival director Ganga Kumar; civil servant and social activist Sanjay Kumar; film and art critic Vinod Anupam; Secretary of Bodhgaya Biennale, an Honorary Editor, Canvas and an artist Vinay Kumar; Advocate on Record Rajiv Ranjan Dwivedi; bilingual novelist with Penguin Random House, columnist, podcaster, and festival curator Pankaj Dubey; Director of Masi Inc. Aradhana Pradhan; cultural activist and musician F. Azzam; and Doctoral fellow in English Literature and translator Abhay Kumar.
The programme will feature an engaging mix of literary discussions, author interactions, cultural showcases, and workshops, offering audiences an immersive experience of India’s diverse traditions. Along with Bihar’s rich linguistic heritage, the festival will host a dedicated Northeast segment spotlighting tribal languages, inscriptions, and the vibrant linguistic journeys of the Seven Sisters. Sessions will also explore oral literature, scripts, translations, women’s representation and contribution to Indian literature, diaspora narratives, and marginalised voices.
Marquee events include Dr. Shashi Tharoor in an interactive session on literature with Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi; Adoor Gopalakrishnan in an interactive session on literature with Sh. Naveen Chaudhury; Anupam Kher in an interactive session on legacy with Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi. In a special book review session includes Dr. Sonal Mansingh in conversation with Sh. Vikram Sampath; Abhay K. and Dr. Shashank Shekhar Sinha in conversation with Ms. Milee Ashwarya, to name a few. Along with these, the festival will feature an exceptional lineup, including Akhilendra Mishra, Ravishankar Upadhyay, Arup Kumar Dutta, Shahu Patole, Koral Dasgupta, and Amitabh Kant, among others. Each day will begin with rejuvenating yoga and meditation sessions conducted by the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, and conclude with live cultural performances, including a special showcase by Dr. Sonal Mansingh, on one of the days. With its confluence of heritage, ideas, and creativity, the festival stands poised to be one of India’s grand celebrations of language, literature, and culture.
Ganga Kumar, Festival Director,“We want the Nalanda Literature Festival to be an experience that moves beyond sessions and discussions, something that connects people emotionally to India’s civilizational story. Nalanda is not just a venue; it’s a reminder of what knowledge can achieve when rooted in purpose.”
The festival is curated by novelist Pankaj Dubey, the bilingual author of ten bestselling titles with Penguin Random House. He said,“Curating a festival in Nalanda feels like giving new words to an ancient voice. It’s about letting the world rediscover India’s timeless storytelling tradition, where wisdom, history, and creativity meet in one powerful space.”
As the land of Nalanda prepares to welcome participants, the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 invites readers, writers, students, and art lovers from across the nation to join this extraordinary celebration of words, wisdom, and wonder.
Registrations and tickets are open now at the Nalanda Literature Festival’s website and BookMyShow.
