The 11th Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), a premier platform for intellectual and creative ex-change, is set to unfold from March 21-23, 2025, in the historic Temple City of Bhubaneswar.
This festival promises an unparalleled celebration of ideas, languages, and cultures, bringing together over 400 writers, thinkers, idealists, realists, visionaries, intellectuals, avant-garde practitioners, the iconoclasts, thought leaders and visionaries from across the globe, representing over 25 languages.
Hon’ble Odisha Governor, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati will join as Chief Guest. Hon’ble Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, H.E. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, the Ambassador of Indonesia to India, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Government of Odisha, Padma Vibhushan Shri Sudarshan Sahoo, K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi will join as Guest of Honours. The central theme of the festival is “Literature and the World: Inclusion, Identity and Belonging”.
The annual and iconic Kalinga Literary Festival will be held in the three venues of the temple city of Bhubaneswar, these are Mayfair Lagoon, Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Utkal Mandap. Kalinga Literary Award will be given to legendary Hindi writer Mamata Kalia, acclaimed translator and academic Prof, Jatindra Kumar Nayak, Kalinga International Literary Award to Sanskrit scholar Dr. Srinuruddhs Dash, Dr Mamata Mishra, Kalinga Literary Award (Youth) to popular Nepali writer Buddhisagar.
Ten writers from Nepal to join as speakers at the Kalinga Literary Festival in India. Nepalese Billionaire, Philanthropist, and literary figure Dr Binod CHaudhary will join the festival as a guest of Honour and speaker. Popular Nepal writers, Journalist Buddhi Sagar, Basant Basant, writer Rohini Rana, Ranjana Niraula, translator Ken Subedhi, Pand awan Thapa will join the festival as speakers. Writers will participate in over 10 sessions on various global literature sessions. Two sessions are also exclusively dedicated to the Nepali language.
Acclaimed Indonesian novelist and essayist Mahfud Ikhwan, Mr Undri – Director of Cultural Promotion, at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture will join as sa peaker at the festival. As part of this vibrant collaboration, Indonesia’s renowned cultural ensemble, Belantara Budaya Indonesia Foundation, will captivate audiences with mesmerizing performances showcasing the rich diversity of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The Foundation will present a series of vibrant and symbolic traditional dances, including the graceful “Nusantara Medley Dance,” the powerful “Mandau Dance,” the community-spirited “Maumere Dance,” the sacred “Tor Tor Dance” from North Sumatra, the lively “Solo Jaipong Dance” from West Java, and the evocative “Gelang Ro’om Dance” from Madura, East Java.
Ashok Kumar Bal, Patron & CEO, KLF said “Kalinga Literary Festival is more than an event; it is a cultural confluence where ideas, traditions, and voices from across the globe meet to create a shared narrative. This year’s festival amplifies the power of storytelling, highlighting how literature shapes societies, preserves histories, and fosters innovation. As we gather in Bhubaneswar, we celebrate not just words, but the transformative impact of literature in shaping the world we live in.”
Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder & Director, KLF said “KLF continues to champion the literary and artistic heritage of India while engaging with global literary currents. Each edition strengthens our commitment to inclusion, identity, and belonging—this year’s central theme. With an incredible lineup of writers, thinkers, and performers, KLF 2025 promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking journey for all who seek the magic of words and ideas.”
