Kerala Literature Festival

The Kerala Literature Festival is an annual literary gathering held in Kozhikode, Kerala, with its main programme centred around the city's coastal setting.

It brings together authors, poets, readers, artists, performers and thinkers for discussions, readings, debates, cultural programmes and informal exchanges around literature and wider public life.

• January — The festival is generally held during the month of January.
• Festival days — The main programme runs across several consecutive days, with sessions taking place from morning into evening.

Reading and ideas — The festival creates a public space for readers and writers to discuss literature, society, history, culture and contemporary ideas.

Cultural exchange — Its programme connects Malayalam literary traditions with writers and cultural voices from across India and abroad.

Public conversation — Discussions and performances encourage audiences to encounter different viewpoints through books, storytelling, art and the performing arts.

The Kerala Literature Festival was founded in 2016 by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and began on Kozhikode Beach. Its early programme combined literary discussions with cultural activities, exhibitions, film programmes and food-related events.

The festival has since expanded in scale and subject matter, developing into a large annual gathering that includes literature alongside music, theatre, cinema, visual arts, history, science and other fields of public discussion.

At the festival grounds — Visitors move between stages and venues for author conversations, panel discussions, readings, lectures and interviews.

Through the arts — Music, theatre, dance, film and other performances form part of the wider cultural programme.

For readers — Book displays, author interactions and informal conversations give visitors opportunities to discover writers and literary traditions.

The festival generally unfolds as a sequence of parallel literary and cultural sessions throughout the day. Conversations and panel discussions are followed by readings, talks, book-related activities and performances, while evening programming often brings music and other stage events to the coastal setting.

Kozhikode — The festival's identity is closely connected with Kozhikode and its beachfront setting, while the city provides access to Malabar's food, language, history and cultural traditions.

Kerala — Malayalam literature and Kerala's wider artistic traditions have a strong presence alongside programmes involving writers and cultural figures from elsewhere in India and overseas.

• Author conversations and interviews
• Literary panel discussions
• Poetry and prose readings
• Book launches and literary presentations
• Music and performing-arts programmes
• Informal conversations between readers and writers

Books — Represent reading, writing and the exchange of knowledge.

Open stages — Reflect the festival's emphasis on public discussion and direct interaction between speakers and audiences.

Kozhikode Beach — The coastal setting has become a defining physical backdrop for the festival.

• The festival is organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and is co-promoted by DC Books.
• Kozhikode is recognised by UNESCO as a City of Literature, linking the festival to the city's wider literary identity.
• The festival began in February before later editions commonly moved into the January period.
• Its programme extends beyond books to include music, theatre, cinema, dance and other forms of cultural expression.
• The festival is held around Kozhikode Beach, giving its literary programme a distinctive coastal setting.
• The event welcomes audiences of different ages and interests, including dedicated programming for children.