Kathmandu :- The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) commenced at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. The event, themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature,” was jointly inaugurated by Bhupal Rai, Chancellor of Nepal Academy, KLF Founder Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Kathmandu KLF Director Ranjana Niraula, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana, Indian diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, and Indian economist and writer Sanjeev Sanyal.

During the inaugural session, legendary poet Dr Bhuwan Dhungana was conferred with the Yashaswi Sahitya Samman. Also, the Yashaswi Book Award 2081 was presented to six books across five categories. 

The awardees include Devvrat for his poetry collection ‘Aswasthamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha’; Muna Chaudhary for her fiction ‘Laar’; and Momila Joshi for her non-fiction work ‘Prashnaharu Ta Baki Nai Rahanchhan’, an award she shares with Arun Gupta for ‘Sanskriti Chintan’. Additionally, Rohini Rana’s ‘The Nepal Cook Book’ (English) and Yagyaraj Upadhyay’s research work ‘Kali-Karnaliko Lok Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti’ were also recognized. 

Each recipient received a prize of Rs 20,000 along with the award. 

The festival brings together over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations, fostering a rich exchange of literary and cultural traditions. It promises a grand celebration of literature, art, music, and culture, further strengthening Nepal’s role as a central hub for Asian cultural dialogues.

Festival Highlights: 

- 300+ writers from South Asia expected to attend

- Sessions covering literature, music, dance, poetry, and other art forms

- New book releases and discussions on literature’s role in the digital age, gender narratives, cultural heritage, and more

 According to Ranjana Niraula, Director and Founding Member of KLF-Kathmandu, “The Kathmandu Kalin-ga Literary Festival will celebrate the longstanding cultural ties between Nepal, India, and South Asia while offering a platform for deep discussions on the evolution of global cultures.”

In addition to its central theme, the festival will feature a range of panels and discussions such as “Rethinking Development and Diplomacy in the Digital Age”, “The Role of Literature in the Age of AI”, and “Bridging Heritage: Cultural Synergies”, further cementing the event’s importance in the literary world.

The festival will also launch the prestigious Yashaswi Book Awards, which will honor 5 writers across various categories, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature.