Kerala Literature Festival - 9th Edition | English | KLF 2026

About Kerala Literature Festival - 9th Edition | English | KLF 2026

The ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival, held from January 22-25 on the beaches of Kozhikode, reaffirmed its stature as Asia’s largest literary gathering and one of the world’s most dynamic cultural forums. Drawing over 700,000 attendees and featuring 500+ speakers across 350 sessions, the festival transformed the city’s iconic seafront into a vibrant public platform for ideas spanning literature, history, science, politics, cinema, philosophy, and the arts. Inaugurated by astronaut Sunita Williams and Kerala Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas, in the presence of actor Bhavana, and with Germany as Guest Nation, the edition stood out for its international breadth, brilliant curation, and strong cultural collaborations. A defining highlight was the historic participation of Sunita Williams, whose widely attended sessions on life in space, resilience, and unity deeply inspired audiences, particularly students. The festival also featured major intellectual voices such as Shashi Tharoor, who reflected on the Indian Constitution and the legacy of Sree Narayana Guru, alongside global figures including Abdulrazak Gurnah, Pico Iyer, Abhijit Banerjee, Pratibha Ray, Shobha De, Kiran Desai, Satoshi Yagisawa, Ben Johnson, Jimmy Wales and many more. Salman Rushdie and Romila Thapar joined for an online session. With an estimated ₹130 crore generated in local economic activity and a carefully balanced programme of English and Indian vernacular sessions, KLF 2026 strengthened Kozhikode’s global cultural identity and reinforced its recognition as India’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

Publisher

DC Books

Category

arts · fiction · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Mar 2026

Latest episode

1 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Sept 2026

   The Politics of Dravidian Identity

   At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, author Vignesh Rajahmani discusses the origins and transformation of the Dravidian movement with historian Manu S. Pillai. From Periyar E V Ramasamy to modern politics, this conversation explores caste, identity, and the evolution of one of South India’s most influential socio-political movements. Session : Transformation of a Dravidian Socio-Cultural Movement Speakers : Vignesh Rajahmani Moderator : Manu S Pillai 23/01/2026 KLF Day 2 - Ezhuthola

2. 

   22 Aug 2026

   Keeladi Is So Controversial in India Today Why

   Is Keeladi rewriting the story of India’s past? The Keeladi excavation has become one of the most important and debated archaeological discoveries in India, raising questions about Indian history, identity, and the politics of the past. In this compelling session from the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, journalist and author Sowmiya Ashok explores the significance of Keeladi and why it has sparked national conversations. Session : Keeladi and the Politics of India's Past Speakers: Sowmiya Ashok Moderators: Manu S Pillai 25 /01/2026 KLF Day - 4

3. 

   18 Aug 2026

   This Is How They're Tracking You

   Are we slowly losing what makes us human? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Amrita Mahale and Anna-Elisabeth Mayer explore a chilling question are we becoming just data in a world driven by AI? From AI in education to machines learning from children at a young age, this conversation reveals how technology is quietly reshaping our lives, relationships, and even creativity. As AI becomes more powerful, what happens to human emotion, connection, and meaning? Session : Are We the Last Human Generation? Speakers: Amrita Mahale,Anna-Elisabeth Mayer Moderators: Shamseer Babu 23/01/2026 KLF Day - 2

4. 

   24 Jul 2026

   Stories From Kashmir That Never Make the News

   What does Kashmir really feel like… beyond what we see in the news? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Ipsita Chakravarty shares stories that rarely make it into headlines — stories of ordinary people, quiet fears, coded language, and lives shaped by long years of conflict. Ipsita Chakravarty explains how storytelling in Kashmir has changed — where myths, memories, and reality blur, and even silence carries meaning. Session : Dapaan: Lives Caught Between Lines -Kashmir Told in Whispers Speakers: Ipsita Chakravarty Moderators: Shamseer Babu 25/01/2026 KLF Day - 4

5. 

   13 Jul 2026

   The World Is on Fire, Stay Calm

   At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, acclaimed writer Pico Iyer joins Nandini Nair for a deeply moving conversation on silence, solitude, fire, time, faith, service and how to stay human in an age of constant distraction. Drawing from his book Learning from Silence, Pico Iyer reflects on monastic life, the inner and outer worlds, the pressures of modern media, the value of retreat, and the search for stillness in everyday life. The conversation also touches on Leonard Cohen, the Dalai Lama, travel, love, community and the challenge of living meaningfully in a fast-moving world. Session : Learning from Silence Speakers : Pico Iyer Moderator : Nandini Nair 24/01/2026 KLF Day -3

6. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Is India's Constitution in Danger ? Shashi Tharoor Explains

   At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Shashi Tharoor breaks down the story behind India’s Constitution — from its creation to how it continues to evolve today. Shashi Tharoor explains why it is called a “living document”, how amendments have shaped it, and why its future depends not just on laws, but on the people who operate it. From Ambedkar’s vision to modern debates on rights, secularism, and governance — Shashi Tharoor offers insights that will make you rethink everything you know about the Constitution.

7. 

   31 May 2026

   Marriage Doesn't Guarantee Love - Part 3

   Is love really what we believe it is? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Preeti Shenoy shares a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on love, regret, writing, and the true meaning of home. From writing since the age of 7 to touching millions of lives, she reveals how stories are not just written — they are lived Session : Love, Regret and Full of Home Speakers: Preeti Shenoy Moderators: Bindu Amat 22/01/2026 KLF Day - 1

8. 

   30 May 2026

   Marriage Doesn't Guarantee Love - Part 2

   Is love really what we believe it is? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Preeti Shenoy shares a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on love, regret, writing, and the true meaning of home. From writing since the age of 7 to touching millions of lives, she reveals how stories are not just written — they are lived Session : Love, Regret and Full of Home Speakers: Preeti Shenoy Moderators: Bindu Amat 22/01/2026 KLF Day - 1

9. 

   28 May 2026

   The Biggest Myth About History - Part 3

   Why do people fight so much over history? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, historian and author Manu S Pillai shares a thought-provoking perspective on how the past continues to shape the world we live in today. Session : The Past is Present: Writing History in India Today Speakers : Manu S Pillai Moderator : Anjana Sankar 23/01/2026 KLF Day 2 - AksharamKerala Literature Festival 2026, historian and author Manu S Pillai shares a thought-provoking perspective on how the past continues to shape the world we live in today. Session : The Past is Present: Writing History in India Today Speakers : Manu S Pillai Moderator : Anjana Sankar 23/01/2026 KLF Day 2 - Aksharam

10. 

    27 May 2026

    I Came to Chennai With ₹120" - Prakash Raj UNFILTERED - Part 4

    At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, acclaimed actor and activist Prakash Raj shares his remarkable journey — from arriving in Chennai with just ₹120 to becoming one of India’s most fearless voices in cinema and public life. In conversation with writer T D Ramakrishnan, Prakash Raj speaks candidly about cinema, politics, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of artists in today’s world. Session: The Artist I Became Speakers : Prakash Raj Moderator : T D Ramakrishnan 24/01/2026 KLF Day 3 - Thoolika

11. 

    26 May 2026

    Marriage Doesn't Guarantee Love - Part 1

    Is love really what we believe it is? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Preeti Shenoy shares a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on love, regret, writing, and the true meaning of home. From writing since the age of 7 to touching millions of lives, she reveals how stories are not just written — they are lived Session : Love, Regret and Full of Home Speakers: Preeti Shenoy Moderators: Bindu Amat 22/01/2026 KLF Day - 1

12. 

    26 May 2026

    The Biggest Myth About History - Part 2

    Why do people fight so much over history? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, historian and author Manu S Pillai shares a thought-provoking perspective on how the past continues to shape the world we live in today. Session : The Past is Present: Writing History in India Today Speakers : Manu S Pillai Moderator : Anjana Sankar 23/01/2026 KLF Day 2 - Aksharam

13. 

    25 May 2026

    I Came to Chennai With ₹120" - Prakash Raj UNFILTERED - Part 3

    At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, acclaimed actor and activist Prakash Raj shares his remarkable journey — from arriving in Chennai with just ₹120 to becoming one of India’s most fearless voices in cinema and public life. In conversation with writer T D Ramakrishnan, Prakash Raj speaks candidly about cinema, politics, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of artists in today’s world. Session: The Artist I Became Speakers : Prakash Raj Moderator : T D Ramakrishnan 24/01/2026 KLF Day 3 - Thoolika

14. 

    24 May 2026

    I Came to Chennai With ₹120" - Prakash Raj UNFILTERED - Part 2

    At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, acclaimed actor and activist Prakash Raj shares his remarkable journey — from arriving in Chennai with just ₹120 to becoming one of India’s most fearless voices in cinema and public life. In conversation with writer T D Ramakrishnan, Prakash Raj speaks candidly about cinema, politics, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of artists in today’s world. Session: The Artist I Became Speakers : Prakash Raj Moderator : T D Ramakrishnan 24/01/2026 KLF Day 3 - Thoolika

15. 

    23 May 2026

    I Came to Chennai With ₹120" - Prakash Raj UNFILTERED - PART 1

    At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, acclaimed actor and activist Prakash Raj shares his remarkable journey — from arriving in Chennai with just ₹120 to becoming one of India’s most fearless voices in cinema and public life. In conversation with writer T D Ramakrishnan, Prakash Raj speaks candidly about cinema, politics, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of artists in today’s world. Session: The Artist I Became Speakers : Prakash Raj Moderator : T D Ramakrishnan 24/01/2026 KLF Day 3 - ThoolikaUntitled

16. 

    21 May 2026

    The Biggest Myth About History - Part 1

    Why do people fight so much over history? At the Kerala Literature Festival 2026, historian and author Manu S Pillai shares a thought-provoking perspective on how the past continues to shape the world we live in today. Session : The Past is Present: Writing History in India Today Speakers : Manu S Pillai Moderator : Anjana Sankar 23/01/2026 KLF Day 2 - Aksharam

17. 

    12 Mar 2026

    Future of Knowledge and the Democratization of Information - Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales - Part 1

    24/01/2026 KLF Day 3 - Ezhuthola The Future of Knowledge and the Democratization of Information Speakers : Jimmy Wales Moderator : Barkha Dutt Watch Full Video : click here (https://youtu.be/RMxSln9sPbY) Link to our website: https://keralaliteraturefestival.com/ #jimmywales #keralaliteraturefestival #dcbooks #literaryfestival #germanliterature #indianliterature #malayalamliterature #kozhikodebeach #literaturefestival #booklovers #KLF9thEdition #festivalonthebeach #keralalitfest2026 #keralalitfest #keralaculture #authors #reading #storytelling #literaryevent #keralawriters #calicut #klf #klf2026

Contact Kerala Literature Festival - 9th Edition | English | KLF 2026

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.