Mangaluru: The eighth edition of the two-day Mangaluru Literature Festival, organised by the Bharath Foundation, will be held on January 10 and 11 at the TMA Pai Convention Centre. Dedicated to promoting the “Idea of Bharat”, the festival will bring together eminent thinkers, diplomats, scholars, writers, artists, and media professionals for wide-ranging discussions on literature, culture, geopolitics, media, and Indian thought.

Speaking to the media, Bharath Foundation trustee Sunil Kulkarni said the 2026 edition of the Lit Fest will pay a special tribute to legendary Kannada novelist S L Bhyrappa, whose works have left a lasting impact on Indian literature and intellectual discourse. A dedicated session titled “Literature inspired by Bhyrappa” will be conducted by noted scholars Shatavadhani R Ganesh and G B Harisha, focusing on Bhyrappa’s literary legacy, philosophical depth, and influence on generations of readers and writers.

Lit Fest Award for Meenakshi Jain

One of the highlights of the inaugural session will be the conferring of the Mangaluru Lit Fest Award 2026 on Rajya Sabha member and historian Meenakshi Jain. Kulkarni said the award recognises her significant contribution to Indian historiography and intellectual thought. Following the award ceremony, a special interaction session with Meenakshi Jain has been scheduled, where she is expected to share her perspectives on history, civilisation, and contemporary discourse.

Distinguished speakers and global themes

The festival will feature several high-profile speakers from diverse fields. Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Vikram Sood, former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, and former Ambassador of India to the United Nations T S Tirumurti are among the distinguished participants who will take part in various sessions.

Explaining the thematic structure of the festival, Kulkarni said the sessions will focus on India’s position in a rapidly changing global order. Vikram Sood will join Dr Sriparna Pathak, Professor of China Studies and founding Director of the Centre for Northeast Asian Studies at O P Jindal Global University, for a discussion on “Global power games”. The session is expected to analyse geopolitical shifts, strategic competition among major powers, and India’s role in the emerging world order.

India and its neighbourhood

Another key session will focus on India’s neighbourhood relations. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj will be joined by Dr Swasti Rao, journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, and Dr Bidanda Chengappa for a discussion on regional diplomacy, security challenges, and India’s engagement with neighbouring countries. The panel is expected to explore both opportunities and complexities in India’s immediate strategic environment.

In a related session, Ambassador T S Tirumurti, Dr Sreeram Chaulia, and Vijit Kanahalli will deliberate on “Indian thought in a globalised world”, examining how India’s civilisational values and intellectual traditions interact with contemporary global realities.

Literature, media, and the arts

The festival will also place strong emphasis on literature, art, and media. Under the art, media, and literature category, Shatavadhani Dr R Ganesh and Dr Ajakkala Girish Bhat will speak on “The search for values through literature”, reflecting on how literary works shape ethical thinking and social consciousness.

Representing the media world, Smita Prakash, Editorial Director of ANI, Padmaja Joshi, and Surabhi Hodigere will participate in a session discussing how digital news platforms are reshaping the public sphere, influencing opinion, and redefining journalism in the digital age.

Cinema and visual storytelling will be explored in the session “Film and thought”, featuring filmmaker P Sheshadri, actor and public intellectual Malavika Avinash, and Pallavi Rao Karanth. The discussion will focus on cinema as a medium of ideas and cultural expression.

Books, storytelling, and popular culture

Journalist Vishweshwar Bhat’s book “Badukulidavaru Kandante” will be discussed by Shrikant Shetty Karkala, offering insights into its themes and narrative style. Popular actress Ranjani Raghavan, content creator Poornima Suresh (Su From So), and author Seema Burude will take part in a session on “Imagination, narrative, and camera”, examining storytelling across literature, digital platforms, and visual media.

Adding a traditional flavour to the festival, a Bombeyata puppetry performance by Ujjwala Krishnaraj has been scheduled as a special attraction, showcasing a rich folk art tradition.

Focus on languages and scripts

Kulkarni said the festival will also include sessions dedicated to Indian languages. A session on Sanskrit titled “Chinnara Angala” will be conducted by Sanskriti Bharathi. In addition, there will be a session focusing on the Kodava language, highlighting its cultural and linguistic significance.

Efforts to promote regional scripts will also be part of the event, with a session dedicated to the Tulu script. This will be accompanied by a book exhibition and sale, aimed at encouraging reading and writing in indigenous languages.

Conclusion

With its diverse range of sessions and speakers, the eighth Mangaluru Lit Fest promises to be a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange and cultural celebration. By blending discussions on geopolitics, literature, media, cinema, and language, the festival seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of Indian thought while engaging with contemporary global challenges.