Yashaswi Prangya Pratisthan, Himalayan Diary Pvt Ltd from Nepal and Kalinga Literary Festival from India join hands for Kathmandu KLF Edition to celebrate the spirit of Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha in the context of Nepal-India literary ties. The festival will focus on the glorious traditions of Nepal and India. Kalinga Literary Festival Kathmandu will showcase literature, music, dance, poetry and other art forms. It will be a lifetime experience for the lovers of Music, Dance, art, poetry and literature.

Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) Kathmandu will be held on September 07, 08 2024 at Kathmandu.

Central theme of the festival:

Nepal -The Gateways to Asian Art, Culture and Literature

Nepal, with its rich cultural heritage, unique geography, and diverse population, has contributed significantly to the global civilization in various ways.

Here are some examples:

Cultural and Religious Significance: Nepal is home to many important cultural and religious sites, including the famous Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. These sites have attracted pilgrims and visitors from all over the world and have contributed to the development and dissemination of religious and cultural practices globally

Trade and Commerce: Nepal has been a hub of trade and commerce between India and Tibet for centuries, which has contributed to the development of the Silk Road, connecting Asia to Europe. Nepal’s strategic location has also made it a significant center for trade and commerce with China, India, and other neighboring countries.

Mountaineering and Adventure Tourism: Nepal’s unique geography, including the Himalayas, has made it a popular destination for mountaineering and adventure tourism. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, is located in Nepal, attracting climbers and adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. This has contributed to the development of the adventure tourism industry globally.

Art and Architecture: Nepal has a rich tradition of art and architecture, with many temples, palaces, and monuments reflecting the country’s unique cultural heritage. The intricate carvings and designs of Nepali architecture have influenced the development of art and architecture globally.

Language and Literature: Nepal has a rich tradition of literature and poetry in various languages, including Nepali, Newari, and Maithili. Nepali literature has contributed to the development of regional and global literature, with many Nepali writers being recognized internationally.

Overall, Nepal’s contribution to global civilization is significant and diverse, reflecting the country’s unique cultural heritage, natural resources, and strategic location.

The festival will celebrate the long-standing ties between Nepal and India in the context of the emerging global cultures.  Half of the speakers/ performers will be from Nepal. The  rest will be from India and other countries of South Asia.

DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA FOR 2024 FESTIVAL

Download the Agenda for 2024 Festival

Our Patrons

Highlights 2024

The festival in numbers

300 Speakers, poets, artists, performers
60 Panel discussions, debates and conversations
Over 50 International and National Award winners to represent
2 Days, Over 15 Languages to be represented
New Book to be Launched
15  Nepal Yashaswi Book Awards
150 organizations to Participate
Over 10,000 audiences to join

Broader Objectives of the Festival

To engage with historical literary traditions/ genres to foster mutual learning.

  • To create an Asian and global level platform for emerging art forms  including literatures.
  • To inspires  and train young and aspiring authors to  become torch bearers of literary traditions
  • To encourage dialogue of literature with the policy makers, activists, artists and leaders.
  • To highlight the rich legacy of Nepali language, literature and cultures and promote Kathamandu city as a focal point of new creative  expressions.
  • To  centerstage the need for an active cultural  synergy among the local  and the  global.
  • To create a platform for artistes from different creative fields to interact with each other and share their work among themselves and with their readers/audiences.

We plan to celebrate, among other aspects, theme of Shiv and Buddha Tatwa and its contribution to South Asia and global literary movements and traditions. The festival will have panel discussions on literature, Art, Culture, History, and showcase artistic traditions  like the idea of the Shiv Tatwa, the songs of Meera Bai, Akka Mahadevi, Andal, Lalded,  the Vaishnava poets from Nepal and India, in addition to  the world of Nepalese and Indian art and music.

Advisors

Distinguished Toastmaster and the Presidential Citation recipient, current Club Growth Director of District 41, Ranjit Acharya is a Toastmaster member for two decades now. He started as a member of Kathmandu Toastmasters Club and was instrumental in opening Everest Toastmasters club in 2004 as a charter member. Acharya, is by profession known as advertising guru…

View details

 Noted Writer and Academic

View details

Professor Tulasi Diwasa Poet and Folklore Expert

View details

Dr. Jagman Gurung Vice Chancellor, Nepal Academy

View details

Maya Thakuri Noted Writer

View details

Ashes Malla Noted Writer, Playwright and Director

View details

Dinesh Adhikari Noted Poet and Lyricist

View details

Ms, Manju Kanchuli Tiwari Noted Writer

View details

Ragini Upadhyay Artist / Former Chancellor, Nepal First woman Chancellor at Nepal Academy of Fine Art

View details

Bhishma Upreti Noted Poet and writer

View details

Dr. Bishnu Bibhu Ghimire Noted Poet

View details

Eminent Author Bishow Parajuli was formerly the UN WFP Representative in India, Yemen and Egypt and UNRC/UNDP Representative in Myanmar and Zimbabwe.

View details

Speakers

Dr. Rinzin Rinzin

Dr. Rinzin Rinzin is a decorated Bhutanese author, poet, scholar, and civil activist. He worked as a member of Parliament, lecturer, agriculture researcher, bureaucrat, management consultant, and writer during the last 28 years. His début book was ‘The Talisman of Good Fortune and Other Stories from Rural Bhutan’ (2002). He also authored a novel (‘Depa Bondeypa’s Relatives’ in…

Yatindra Mishra, a celebrated poet and literary connoisseur, has enriched the world of Indian literature with his profound poetry, thoughtful translations, and exceptional editing. His works capture the essence of Indian aesthetics, blending the classical with the contemporary in a style that is both evocative and timeless. An accomplished author, Mishra has penned several acclaimed…

View details

Ranjan Adiga is the author of Leech & Other Stories (Penguin Random House India, 2024). His works have appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, Kathmandu Post, among other publications. Originally from Nepal, he is based in the US where he teaches creative writing at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

View details

 Noted Writer and Academic

View details

Born on October 26, 1952, Ashwani Kumar is a distinguished Indian politician and attorney, notable for his service as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Punjab. His political journey encompasses significant roles, including serving as the Union Minister of Law and Justice, as well as Union Minister of State…

View details

Uday Prakash, born on January 1, 1952, is a versatile figure in Indian literature, excelling as a Hindi poet, scholar, journalist, translator, and short story writer. His diverse roles include serving as an administrator, editor, researcher, and TV director. As a freelancer, he contributes to major dailies and periodicals, earning accolades for his short stories…

View details

Rahul Soni is a writer, editor, and translator based in India. He is Senior Commissioning Editor – Literary with HarperCollins India, Associate Editor with the journal Almost Island, and Programmes Coordinator at the Sangam House international writers’ residency. He has previously been associated with the journals Pratilipi and Asymptote, and the literary agency Writer’s Side. He has edited the anthology of Hindi poetry…

View details

Professor Tulasi Diwasa Poet and Folklore Expert

View details

Geetika Kohli is a multilingual writer, public speaker and entrepreneur from Jammu and Kashmir. With eight titles to her name, including six poetry and two short story collections, Geetika has led Hymns and Harmony, an international peace building poetry movement. She believes, “courage is your ability to grow larger than an identity thrust upon you.”

View details

Geetanjali Shree is an Indian novelist and short-story writer who is well known for her Hindi-language novel ‘Ret Samadhi’ (2018), which was translated into English as ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Daisy Rockwell. Shree rose to prominence in 2022 when ‘Tomb of Sand’ won the prestigious International Booker Prize. Geetanjali Shree is the author of three…

View details

Sumit Sharma Sameer is an author of ‘Wake up Ali…Wake up Now. This is his first work of fiction, translated from Nepali language. Sameer is a graduate of the London School of Economics, UK and the Queen’s University, Canada. He completed his undergraduation from the Loyola College, Chennai.

View details

Prof. Dr. Basudev Tripathi Noted Writer

View details

Sanat Regmi Noted Writer

View details

Dr. Jagman Gurung Vice Chancellor, Nepal Academy

View details

Maya Thakuri Noted Writer

View details

Ashes Malla Noted Writer, Playwright and Director

View details

Dinesh Adhikari Noted Poet and Lyricist

View details

Ms, Manju Kanchuli Tiwari Noted Writer

View details

Dr. Gyanu Panday Noted Writer and Critic

View details

Dhirendra Premarshi Writer & Journalist

View details

Bhishma Upreti Noted Poet and writer

View details

Yatish Kumar is a multifaceted literary genius whose evocative poetry and prose have garnered critical acclaim and touched hearts worldwide. With a remarkable ability to weave words into profound emotions, his works reflect his deep understanding of human experiences and the nuanced layers of life. Author of the highly acclaimed “Antas Ki Khurchan”, Yatish Kumar’s…

View details

Dr. Bishnu Bibhu Ghimire Noted Poet

View details

Eminent Author Bishow Parajuli was formerly the UN WFP Representative in India, Yemen and Egypt and UNRC/UNDP Representative in Myanmar and Zimbabwe.

View details

Kanishka Gupta is a literary agent, writer, and publishing commentator best known for his widely acclaimed series for Scroll.in called ‘Publishing and the Pandemic’. He is the founder of Writer’s Side, the largest literary agency and consultancy in South Asia. Gupta has been credited for single-handedly popularising literary representation in the subcontinent. He represents a range of highly accomplished…

View details

Team

Director & Coordinator

Ranjana Niraula is Coordinator & Director of KLF Kathmandu. She is a multifaceted personality from Nepal who juggles multiple roles in her daily life with equal panache. From being a popular poet in Nepali and English literature with a penchant to weave magic with her beautiful words and pictures to being a poet, editor, panelist,…

View details

Founder and President of Kalinga Literary Festival Rashmi Ranjan Parida is a leading media entrepreneur and a globally regarded as the pioneer of online journalism in Odisha. He established OrissaDiary in 2005 (www.orissadiary.com), a legendary initiative that changed, impacted and influenced how news is reported online.  In between he has launched prestigious annual awards like Odisha…

View details

Ken Subedi is a professional Nepali translator and runs a translation company, Wordinvent. He is a part of the translation team at Global Press Journal, inDrive, Translated, British Council among others. He has translated four children story collections from English to Nepali, originally written by Cao Wenxuan in Chinese. He is a feature writer at…

View details

An Initiative of

Our Sponsors