Dhanu Bihar, in collaboration with the Centre for Indian Classical Dances, IGNCA, Sahitya Akademi, Nalanda University, and Nav Nalanda Mahavihara University, hosted an Interactive Workshop cum Press Meet at The Bengal Club in Kolkata to announce the forthcoming Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) – 2025.

The session was graced by festival advisor Sh. Harshvardhan Neotia, Chairperson D. Aaliya, Trustee Dhanu Bihar, Festival Director Ganga Kumar, Shri Amar Mitra, Shri Satyabrata Dey, Sh. Diwakar Singh, Ms. Gauri Basu, Shri Mehul Mohanka, Shri Dinyer Mucaden, Mrs Rachita Dey, Joy Mukherjee, and many more.

Sh. Harhvardhan Neotia said, “The inaugural event took place near Nalanda, which has been the pinnacle of our scholarly accomplishments, literature, and wisdom. Sadly, many priceless manuscripts were destroyed in that terrible fire many centuries ago, but it’s good that we are resurrecting this wonderful tradition. We are resurrecting the knowledge that has been ingrained in many of our country’s scholars, which is currently spreading and thriving, and we are carrying on this very encouraging legacy of thinking, debating, discussing, and promoting under the banner of Nalanda”.

The Nalanda Literature Development Programme, which runs from September 2025 to March 2026 and aims to foster artistic discourse and cross-cultural engagement prior to the major festival, was also featured during the ceremony. In addition, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh participated in the online session and urged everyone to attend the Nalanda Literature Festival.

At the historic locations of Rajgir, Nalanda, the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 aims to be a magnificent convergence of India’s intellectual and cultural history, bringing together voices from all across the country and the diaspora and reaffirming India’s enduring spirit of knowledge and creativity.

For more details, visit: www.nalandaliteraturefestival.com

Priyanka Dutta