The Nalanda Literature Festival (Nalanda LittFest) announced the launch of Nalanda Literature Dialogues 2026–27 at a press conference held in New Delhi on 11 April, unveiling a year-long, multi-city cultural initiative under the larger umbrella of Nalanda Literature Festival. Inspired by the enduring legacy of Nalanda — one of the world’s greatest centres of learning, scholarship and knowledge exchange, the initiative has been conceived as the festival’s year-round engagement platform.
Nalanda Literature Dialogues will travel across multiple cities in India and internationally, creating sustained conversations across literature, Indian heritage and culture, Dharma and philosophy, public policy, science and technology, and the arts. The occasion also marked the formal announcement of the dates for the Nalanda Literature Festival 2027, which will take place from 17-20 October 2027.
The announcement was made in the presence of Nalanda LittFest chairperson and Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh; Nalanda LittFest Festival chairperson and social activist D Aaliya; Nalanda LittFest Festival advisor and official spokesperson Dr Pankaj KP Shreyaskar; and Nalanda LittFest Festival director, Ganga Kumar.
Envisioned as a platform that brings together India’s civilisational knowledge systems with contemporary global discourse, the festival seeks to move beyond the traditional format of an annual literary event and establish itself as a continuous movement of ideas, engagement and cultural exchange, the press release said.
Rooted in the spirit of Nalanda as a historic hub of knowledge, inquiry and philosophical thought, the festival aims to revive and reimagine this extraordinary legacy for a contemporary audience. Through Nalanda Literature Dialogues, the festival will bring together writers, scholars, policymakers, artists, bureaucrats, academicians and young voices to build a vibrant and inclusive scholarly ecosystem that is deeply rooted in heritage while remaining future-facing, the press release said.
A central focus of the initiative will be the promotion and preservation of regional and indigenous literary traditions, with a special emphasis on Bihar and the North-East of India. The festival seeks to bring diverse linguistic and cultural voices into the national and international mainstream, while encouraging deeper engagement with India’s literary and cultural heritage.
Among the key initiatives announced under the festival umbrella were — a program built around 12 cities, 12 destinations and 12 pre-events, designed to take the spirit of the festival across diverse cultural landscapes in India. In addition, the initiative will host an international pre-event to strengthen its global outreach and encourage cross-cultural literary exchange.
The year-long calendar will also include monthly digital conversations and podcast initiatives aimed at expanding accessibility and deepening audience engagement. A writer-in-residence program in Bihar will be introduced to nurture emerging literary talent at the grassroots level, while literature circles under the initiative titled Bhasharath will be launched across Bihar and the North-Eastern states to encourage community-led literary participation.
University dialogues will connect academic institutions across India and Asia, creating opportunities for cross-cultural academic exchanges and collaboration. Through these initiatives, the festival will also work towards long-term goals such as promoting translation projects, building archival and documentation platforms, and establishing Nalanda as a permanent centre for literary and cultural research, dialogue and exchange.
Addressing the media and the attendees Dr Sonal Mansingh, chairperson, Nalanda Literature Festival, said, ”Literature must move beyond being a mere fashion statement and evolve into a living hub of India’s knowledge systems—where dialogue, debate, and art come together to create meaning. Our role, therefore, is to build a space where these elements converge as a dynamic expression of India’s knowledge traditions. This is the experience that the Nalanda Literature Festival seeks to offer.”
D Aaliya, festival chairperson, Nalanda Literature Festival, said, “Nalanda is not merely a place in history; it is an idea that continues to inspire the world. Through the Nalanda Literature Festival, we seek to create a platform where India’s timeless wisdom can engage with meaningful conversations.”
Dr Pankaj KP Shreyaskar, festival advisor and official spokesperson, Nalanda Literature Festival, said, “The Nalanda Literature Festival seeks to reimagine Nalanda in a modern context by reviving its legacy of knowledge, debate, and dialogue, where science, art, and Indian wisdom come together and where every individual shares responsibility for nurturing ideas and giving emerging voices the platform they deserve. This may be a humble effort, but it is a meaningful small drop in the vast ocean of knowledge.”
Ganga Kumar, festival director, Nalanda Literature Festival, said, “At Nalanda, we are not merely creating a platform for celebrated voices, but bringing together the wisdom of established writers and the energy of new-age authors on one shared stage. As Nalanda University marks 1600 years next year, our vision for the upcoming edition reflects a timeless exchange — the world in Nalanda, and Nalanda in the world.”
Nalanda Literature Dialogues 2026–27 and Nalanda Literature Festival 2027 will be supported through collaborations with key ministries of the Government of India, state governments, and a wide network of academic, cultural and international institutions. These will include partnerships with universities across India and Asia, UNESCO-linked institutions, Asian literary festivals and cultural embassies, alongside engagement with publishing houses, EdTech platforms and industry stakeholders.
The festival is expected to be graced by eminent dignitaries and global leaders, including the president of India/Guyana, vice president of India, prime minister of Mauritius, senior union ministers, the governor of Bihar, and chief ministers from Bihar, Assam, and other North-Eastern states, among others.
As it enters this new phase, the Nalanda Literature Festival seeks to evolve into a long-term cultural and knowledge-led movement — one that not only celebrates literature, but also fosters dialogue, preserves heritage and contributes meaningfully to shaping the future of knowledge and ideas.
Know more about the festival and upcoming initiatives at @NalandaLittFest.
