From the ongoing Kerala Literature Festival to BLR Habba, 5 Indian literature festivals to attend in 2024

Jaipur Literature Festival (File image)

Each year across India are held more than 60 literary festivals that draw bibliophiles, writers, editors and readers to gather and exchange thoughts and ideas, with storytelling sessions, book signings, activities for young and old, and cultural performances. A pick of some of the must attend ones:

1. Jaipur Literary Festival (JLF)

Held in the Pink City Jaipur, JLF has become a global event in the past years. This five-day event has writers from across the world, literary thinkers, authors and eminent personalities. From Amish Tripathi to Oprah Winfrey and Salman Rushdie have participated in this fest in previous years. This year, the JLF will be held from February 1- 5 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur.

2024 JLF highlights: Personalities like Hernan Diaz, Kai Bird, Gulzar, Vivek Shanbag, Bonnie Garmus and Raghuram Rajan.

What to do in Jaipur: While in Jaipur, also visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, Block printing museum, shop in the traditional markets, visit the Albert Hall Museum.

What to buy in Jaipur: Silver jewellery, bright Rajashani bandhini fabric and sarees, blue pottery, lac bangles, puppets and jootis.

What to eat in Jaipur: Rajasthani thali,  Gajak, Rabri, Ghevar and Moong Dal halwa.

For more details visit https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org

2. Kerala Literary Festival (KLF)

Kozhikode, a coastal town in Kerala, was where the famous explorer Vasco da Gama landed in 1498, and is the centre of the spice trade. It was tagged as UNESCO’s first city of literature in India. From January 11-14, the beaches of Kozhikode are hosting KLF - one of Asia’s largest lit fests that brings together celebrities and intellectuals, writers and readers, and a stellar line up of speakers with music concerts. This year, Turkey is a partner and there will be a performance of the whirling dervishes. The beachside event is expected to draw an estimated 400,000 people and offer a range of sessions with over 100 writers, thinkers, critics and creative personalities.

2024 KLF highlights:  Personalities from writer Perumal Murugan to William Dalrymple and Amish Tripathi.

What to do in Kozhikode: Explore the Kappad and Beypore beaches, take a heritage walk to discover its role in the spice trade, the Mishkal Masjid and the Pazhassiraja Archaeological Museum

What to eat in Kozhikode: Local biryani, mackerel, fried plantain, Chatti pathiri cake, falooda

What to buy in Kozhikode: Kerala Mural paintings, coir products, miniature snake boats, spices and hand-woven textiles.

For more details https://keralaliteraturefestival.com

3. Bangalore Literary Festival (BLF)

This yearly event that has been held from 2012, in India’s IT capital and garden city, focuses on both local and international literature and in addition, prospective writers can submit their work to Indian publishers. BLF is India’s largest independent and community-funded literary conclave. This year’s edition will be held on December 7-8. From poetry readings to Carnatic music recitals and storytelling sessions, this year's line-up is quite a mix.

What to do in Bangalore: Take a heritage walk to see its heritage architecture, explore Bengaluru's parks like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, eat tiffin at MTR rooms or Airlines Hotel, shop at Commercial Street, do a pub crawl, and watch a play at Rangashankara.

What to eat in Bangalore: Dosas, Vada, chow chow baath and filter coffee.

What to buy in Bangalore: Bangalore silks, sandalwood products, and Chennapatna wooden toys.

For more details visit https://bangaloreliteraturefestival.org

4. Kumaon Lit Fest

India’s only ‘green festival’, and the country's only travelling, lit fest also has forest walks, and heritage paths. This is different from all other literary festivals with an intimate crowd, and a natural environment. It started in the year 2015 from Te Aroha, located in Dhanachuli, in the Kumaon hills. It has since travelled to Goa and Kashmir. The topics that are explored are also unique, from documentation of India’s cultural heritage to challenges of film historians. And it attracts author, film makers, chefs and thought leaders.

In 2024, this festival will be travelling to Singapore, and will be held from October 3-6.

What to do in Singapore: Visit Gardens by the Bay, China Town, Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa Island and  Marina Bay Sands.

What to eat in Singapore: Chicken rice and noodles at hawker stands, Indian food at Little India, Oyster omelettes and Roast duck and Peranakan food.

What to buy in Singapore: Asian artefacts, Batik prints, Asian spices and electronics.

For more details https://kumaonliteraryfestival.org

5. Tata Literature Live

This is Mumbai’s largest international literary festival, sponsored by the TATA group and held every year for five days in the month of October. It features authors, poets and thought leaders, with book launches, discussions, workshops and debates. Past speakers have included authors like Elif Shafak, historian Peter Frankopan, author Salman Rushdie and novelist Pip Adams. The festival also has awards for the best books published in the year across various categories.

What to do in Mumbai: Take an Art Deco tour in Mumbai, a shore walk with the Marine Life of Mumbai, take a heritage walk in Kala Ghoda area , visit the Bhau Daji Lad Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art.

What to eat in Mumbai: Don't miss the vada pav, pav bhaji, sandwiches, and pani puri. For a sit-down meal, head to Bombay Canteen.

What to buy in Mumbai: Trendy clothes, leather goods and art.

For more information visit https://tatalitlive.in