Sahitya Akademi’s Festival of Letters 2025: A Grand Celebration of Indian Literature

Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary institution under the Ministry of Culture, will host its annual Festival of Letters 2025 at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, from 7th March to 12th March 2025. The event will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and will feature renowned personalities from the literary world. Mahesh Dattani, an eminent English playwright, will be the chief guest at the award ceremony, where the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards in 23 languages will be presented. Upamanyu Chatterjee, a distinguished writer and scholar, will deliver this year’s Samvatsar Lecture.

Recognized as Asia’s largest literature festival, the event will see participation from 700 writers representing over 50 languages across 100 sessions. With a theme centered on Indian Literary Traditions, the festival will host a National Seminar featuring eminent thinkers and authors. Various literary and cultural activities, including young, women, Dalit, North-East, tribal, and LGBTQ writers’ participation, will make it India’s most inclusive literary festival since 1985. The festival will also feature children’s storytelling programs, author readings, discussions, and cultural performances by renowned artists.

Key Highlights of Festival of Letters 2025

Details Overview

• Organized by: Sahitya Akademi (under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India).
• Dates & Venue: 7th March – 12th March 2025, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Inauguration: By Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• Chief Guest: Mahesh Dattani, eminent English playwright.
• Samvatsar Lecture Speaker: Upamanyu Chatterjee, distinguished writer and scholar.

Asia’s Largest Literature Festival

• 700 writers from across India.
• Representing 50+ languages.
• 100+ literary sessions.

Festival Theme: Indian Literary Traditions.

• National Seminar: A three-day discussion on Indian Literary Traditions with eminent thinkers and authors.

Inclusive Participation

• Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers.
• Writers from the North-East, Tribal Writers, LGBTQ Writers.
• Children’s Literary Event
• “Spin A Tale” – A day-long storytelling and creative writing program.

Cultural Performances

• Rakesh Chaurasia – Flute recital.
• Nalini Joshi – Hindustani Vocal performance.
• Fouzia Dastango & Ritesh Yadav – Dastan-e-Mahabharata storytelling.
• Free Entry: Open to all literature enthusiasts.

Summary/Static	Details
Organizer	Sahitya Akademi (under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
Dates	7th – 12th March 2025
Inaugurated by	Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Union Minister for Culture & Tourism)
Chief Guest	Mahesh Dattani (English Playwright)
Samvatsar Lecture	Upamanyu Chatterjee (Writer & Scholar)
Theme	Indian Literary Traditions
Total Sessions	100+
Participants	700 Writers from 50+ Languages
National Seminar	Discussion on Indian Literary Traditions
Inclusive Sections	Young, Women, Dalit, North-East, Tribal, and LGBTQ Writers
Special Event for Children	“Spin A Tale” – Storytelling Program
Cultural Performances	Rakesh Chaurasia (Flute), Nalini Joshi (Hindustani Vocal), Fouzia Dastango & Ritesh Yadav (Dastan-e-Mahabharata)
Entry	Free for all