Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) Chairperson and senior IAS officer Dr Sumita Misra here on Saturday formally unveiled the detailed schedule of CLF Literati 2025, the city’s flagship literary festival.
Dr Misra, also Festival Director, said at a media conference that the festival’s theme this year, “Worlds Within Words,” reflects the limitless universes that imagination can unlock.
She announced that 27 authors, poets, ad-filmmakers and artistes from across India and abroad will participate in 15 sessions, four book launches and one creative writing workshop over the three-day festival.
The main literary discussions will unfold on November 22 and 23 at the picturesque Lake Club, against the tranquil backdrop of Sukhna Lake.
The festival will begin on November 21 with a cultural evening titled “Saaz Aur Aawaaz” by acclaimed artist Bhuvan Sharma at Rani Laxmi Bai Bhawan, signaling a rich confluence of art and literature.
Among the most anticipated speakers is advertising legend Prahlad Kakkar, known for his iconic ad campaigns and powerful storytelling. He will be joined by acclaimed actress-poet Sandhya Mridul, IPS officer-author Amit Lodha, and several celebrated voices from journalism, literature, and the arts.
The sessions on November 22 will commence with a welcome address by Dr Misra and an opening address by Madhav Kaushik, President of the Rashtriya Sahitya Akademi.
This will be followed by a remarkable lineup of conversations: Prahlad Kakkar will discuss the craft of storytelling in advertising with writer Aradhika Sharma. Veteran journalists Shahid Siddiqui, Rasheed Kidwai and Neerja Chowdhury will examine the evolution of India’s polity and public discourse.
Deep Halder and researcher Rami Desai will explore contemporary Bangladesh and the idea of an unfinished revolution.
Day 2 will also feature book launches, including “The Silent Brave” by Mehak Grover and “The Legend of Sanjhi-Giri” by Manju Jaidka. Hindi literature will take center stage in “Shabd Ki Sugandh: Hindi Sahitya Ka Naya Daur,” while Punjabi literary voices will resonate through “Dil De Kaagaz Utte.”
Architectural historian Rajnish Wattas, celebrated poet-bureaucrat Dr Sumita Misra, and actress-poet Sandhya Mridul will also feature in compelling standalone sessions. The evening will conclude with “Swarit Mudrayen,” a Bharatanatyam recital presented in collaboration with Nritya Praangan.
The festival’s final day, November 23, will open with a creative writing workshop by Sonika Sethi and Deviyani Singh. The day will progress into a rich tapestry of conversations, ranging from spirituality and wellness featuring Shalini Modi, Krishnapad Das, and Rujuta Diwekar, to real-life heroism with IPS officer-author Amit Lodha and former national hockey player Veena Raman. Additional sessions on travel writing, qawwali traditions, Hindi storytelling, and mythological retellings by Ashwin Sanghi will round out a diverse program.
The festival will conclude with the CLF Literati Awards Ceremony, felicitating outstanding works in English and Hindi fiction and non-fiction. The shortlisted books include stellar names such as Devdutt Pattanaik, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Najma Heptulla, Ruskin Bond, Shashi Tharoor, Amitabha Bagchi, Anita Desai, Annie Zaidi, Ashwin Sanghi and more.