Lucknow – The Koshala Literature Festival (KLF) returns for its third edition, promising to once again captivate audiences with its unique blend of literature, music, art and culture. A vibrant celebration of creativity and heritage, KLF Awadh has established itself as a platform where words and ideas transcend boundaries, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and connection.
The advisory board of Koshala Literature Festival organised by ‘Perspective Cultural Foundation’ includes the esteemed Padmashree Pushpesh Pant (Patron), Amitabh Singh Baghel (Founding Festival Director), Prashant Kumar Singh (Founder and Patron) and Anshu Khanna (Advisor).
The 2024 edition of KLF Awadh offers an exciting lineup of events, featuring thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive storytelling sessions and soul-stirring musical performances. Bringing together authors, historians, poets, musicians, digital creators and artists, the festival will honour Awadh’s rich cultural legacy and its impact on both Indian and global literature. Dedicated to celebrating Awadh’s unique heritage, KLF Awadh will showcase the region’s distinctive cuisines, folk arts and music, while providing a dynamic platform to promote local talent from Lucknow, offering them an exclusive stage to display their skills.
The year’s Festival proudly presents a series of sessions that celebrate Sanskriti—the essence of our cultural heritage—by delving into the vibrant canvas of India’s history. These thought-provoking discussions, led by celebrated historians, authors and thinkers, offer attendees a journey through the complexities of time, from ancient epics to the struggles for independence and beyond.
Highlights include Ira Mukhoty’s exploration of Awadh’s rise and fall in The Lion and The Lily, a riveting account of cultural and political dynamics during the Mughal and colonial eras. TCA Raghavan’s Circles of Freedom sheds light on lesser-known freedom fighters, while Sanjeev Sanyal’s Revolutionaries unveils gripping tales of India’s armed resistance. Personal stories of resilience are at the heart of Malavika Rajkotia and Aanchal Malhotra’s Echoes from the Unpartitioned Times, while Purushottam Agarwal’s Mahabharata session explores timeless questions of duty and morality through this epic.
From Devika Rangachari’s insights into the Mauryan dynasty to Hindol Sengupta’s reflections on the Ashtavakra Gita and Rana Safvi’s evocative tribute to Delhi in A Firestorm in Paradise, these sessions celebrate the richness of our past while connecting it to the present. Through these narratives, KLF Awadh invites audiences to rediscover the beauty and wisdom of our shared heritage, ensuring it continues to inspire future generations.
Poetry and music intertwine to create an enchanting celebration of artistic expression. From the profound verses of Sahir Ludhianvi, brought to life in Beyond the Lines with recitations by Ajay Jain and accompanying musical renditions, to Suman Keshari’s Nimitt Nahi, reimagining the women of the Mahabharata, these sessions offer a deep dive into the power of language and its timeless resonance.
The Retro Kavi Sammelan, directed by Gopal Sinha, pays homage to legendary poets such as Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Gopal Das Neeraj, Kaka Hathrasi and Bhagwati Charan Varma, with stirring recitations by contemporary poets Rupali Chandra, Yogi Yogesh Shukla, Amit Sinha, Rajesh Pandey, Yogesh Aditya and Chandra Shekhar Varma.
Complementing these poetic explorations are mesmerising musical performances, including Ramesht – The Folk Band, the spellbinding melodies of Padma Bhushan and Grammy Award-winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and his son Salil Mohan Bhatt, and a soul-stirring Qawwali Night by the Sabri Sufi Brothers.
Immerse yourself in the transformative power of storytelling, language and imagination at this year’s celebration. In Shabdo Ka Jadoogar, Nilotpal Mrinal, the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar-winning author of Dark Horse and Yaar Jadugar, shares how his evocative words and socio-political activism weave contemporary issues into compelling narratives.
Char Kos Pe Badle Vaani explores India’s rich linguistic tapestry, featuring Ashutosh Shukla, Chandra Prakash Verma, Suman Keshari, and Atma Prakash Mishra. This session celebrates regional languages like Bhojpuri, Maithili, Brajbhasha, and Awadhi—each with a literary heritage spanning over 1,500 years—advocating for their recognition as full-fledged languages rather than dialects of Hindi.
Love and modern relationships converge in All He Left Me Was a Recipe as Shenaz Treasury discusses her unique blend of memoir and fiction with Gaurav Prakash, sharing heartfelt tales peppered with recipes from her romantic escapades. In The Girl with the Seven Lives, Vikas Swarup, acclaimed author of Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, presents a gripping tale of resilience and identity. In conversation with Diksha Bisla, he delves into the themes and creative processes behind his latest thriller.
Themes of identity take centre stage in The Narratives of Identity: Leila and Mother India, with Prayaag Akbar discussing his dystopian novel Leila—now a Netflix series—and his poignant Mother India. Joined by Devapriya Roy, Akbar examines how his stories reflect on class, privilege and societal complexities.
Aanchal Malhotra enchants readers with The Book of Everlasting Things, a love story set against the backdrop of Partition. Malhotra explores the enduring impact of memory, history, and love through the evocative narrative of two lovers divided by the tumult of 1947.
Lucknow, the heart of Awadh, comes alive at the Koshala Literature Festival 2024 with sessions that honour its culture, history and traditions. In Ishq mein Lucknow Hona!, Maroof Culmen, Taiyaba Ali and Taha Ahmad, in conversation with Raj Smriti, explore the city’s soulful tehzeeb, poetic charm, and culinary delights. This Land We Call Home sees Nusrat Jafri delve into the resilience of Jafri’s nomadic ancestors, reflecting on identity, belonging and the impact of history. In Awadh Ki Sanskriti: Ek Rangin Safar, Rana Safvi, Ravi Bhatt and Nishant Upadhayay, moderated by Tahira Hasan, celebrate Awadh’s cultural and architectural heritage, highlighting its timeless influence.
KLF Awadh 2024 celebrates the intersection of cinema, storytelling, and digital culture. In Parde ke Peechhey, Ila Arun shares her inspiring journey from folk music to Bollywood fame, offering a candid glimpse into her artistic life. Irrfan: A Life in Movies honours the legendary actor, with Shubhra Gupta and Shailja Kejriwal reflecting on his transformative legacy. In Farasnama: House of Kotwara, Muzaffar Ali discusses his creative fusion of art, fashion, and film. Going Viral sees Harshita Gupta and Shenaz Treasury exploring the art of content creation and digital influence. Finally, Adaptations: From Script to Screen brings together Vikas Swarup, Prayaag Akbar and Shubhra Gupta to discuss the journey of transforming books into films. In Reframing Reality: The Alchemy of Storytelling, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha explores the transformative power of cinema, unpacking the societal impact and emotional depth of his acclaimed films like Mulk, Article 15, and Thappad. In Unloved: The Art of Moving On, Harshita Gupta shares heartfelt insights on healing from heartbreak, blending practical wisdom with an Indian perspective to inspire resilience and renewal.
The Festival also brings together thought leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping democracy, governance, and geopolitics. In The Democracy Lab, Radha Kumar and Purushottam Agarwal reflect on India’s democratic evolution, drawing lessons from its triumphs and trials. Just a Mercenary? offers a candid conversation with D. Subbarao, as he discusses his career, ethics, and learnings with Saurav Jha. In The Equality Code, Saurabh Kirpal and Malavika Rajkotia delve into the ongoing quest for justice and equality in India’s diverse society, while in Navigating the Future, Saurav Jha and Sanjeev Sanyal analyse how global conflicts reshape geopolitics and economics, with a focus on India’s pivotal role in the emerging world order.
This year the festival delves into spirituality and self-discovery through transformative sessions. In Bhakti: Sanatan Ka Aadhar, Aparimay Shyam Das, President of ISKCON Lucknow, explores Bhakti as the cornerstone of Sanatan Dharma, sharing its role in nurturing the soul’s divine connection. In Hollywood to the Himalayas, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati recounts her journey from Hollywood to spiritual enlightenment in the Himalayas. Conversing with Devapriya Roy, she offers insights on healing, self-discovery, and divine joy. The innovative Kathak in Dance Movement Therapy integrates the rhythmic and expressive art of Kathak with psychotherapy, showcasing its potential to foster emotional regulation, mindfulness, and personal transformation through movement and storytelling.
An ‘Open Mic’ platform will be held at the Festival, providing a stage for the youth to showcase their creativity. The voice of Awadh will resonate through poetry, storytelling, monologues, singing, band performances and street plays. Young talents from universities and colleges in and around Lucknow will participate, bringing fresh perspectives and vibrant energy to the festival.
This festival goes beyond being a gathering of creative minds—it is a sanctuary for diverse voices, offering a space where celebrated personalities stand alongside unsung heroes, united by their passion for storytelling. As a testament to its inclusive ethos, KLF Awadh continues to foster an environment where creativity thrives and narratives resonate deeply.
The festival invites everyone to join the Koshala Literature Festival 2024. Entry to this literary and cultural celebration is free. Please register on our website to secure your place.
