Kathmandu: Indian cinema legends Amol Palekar, Illa Arun, and digital sensation Prajakta Koli are set to headline the 4th edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), scheduled to be held on September 13 and 14 at Hotel Yak and Yeti in Kathmandu.
KLF Founder and Director Rashmi Ranjan Parida announced the high-profile participation on Sunday, confirming that the festival will also feature noted scriptwriter Sandhya Gokhale, acclaimed film and music scholar Yatindra Mishra, and over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Veteran actor and filmmaker Amol Palekar will appear alongside Gokhale in a session focused on Viewfinder: A Memoir, a non-linear biography reflecting Palekar’s journey through Indian cinema, theatre, and visual arts.
Celebrated singer and actress Illa Arun will be featured in a one-on-one conversation around her recently published biography, while Prajakta Koli, popularly known as MostlySane and recently named in TIME100 Creators List 2025, will speak about her debut book published by HarperCollins.
Yatindra Mishra, author of award-winning works like Lata: Sur-Gatha and Akhtari: The Life and Music of Begum Akhtar, will join the festival as a featured speaker, enriching discussions on music, poetry, and South Asian cinematic traditions.
The festival, organized in collaboration with Nepal-based Jeewan Jyoti Digital Care, aims to celebrate the shared literary and cultural heritage of South Asia, particularly the spiritual and philosophical connections between Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha in the context of Nepal-India ties.
“This year’s festival will be a celebration of literature, music, dance, poetry, and art, and a lifetime experience for literature lovers,” said KLF Director Rashmi Ranjan Parida.
The central theme of the festival is “Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing World”, focusing on the evolving role of South Asian voices in global debates on identity, inclusion, climate change, economic growth, and spirituality.
According to Kathmandu KLF Director Vikas Bhusal, the event will feature:
- Panel discussions and keynote talks by leading writers and intellectuals,
- Poetry readings and performances,
- Book launches and author interactions,
- Workshops and masterclasses,
- South Asian literary awards, and
- International collaborations aimed at fostering cross-border literary dialogue.
The festival, first launched in Kathmandu in 2022 as the Nepal edition of India’s Kalinga Literary Festival, continues to grow as a key platform for literary diplomacy across South Asia.