Kathmandu, March 12
Ten Nepali writers will participate as speakers at the prestigious Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) in India, scheduled from March 21 to March 23, in Bhubaneswar. Among them, Nepali billionaire, philanthropist, and literary figure Binod Chaudhary will attend as a Guest of Honour and speaker.
Prominent Nepali writers, including Buddhisagar, Basanta Basnet, Rohini Rana, Ranjana Niraula, translator Ken Subedi, and Pawan Thapa, will engage in over 10 sessions covering various aspects of global literature. Two sessions will be conducted exclusively in the Nepali language, highlighting Nepal’s rich literary heritage.
The selected speakers
Buddhisagar: A celebrated writer and poet, Buddhisagar is best known for his novels Karnali Blues and Phirphire. His debut novel, Karnali Blues, received widespread acclaim and was translated into English by Prof Michael J Hutt in 2021.
Basanta Basnet: A journalist and writer, Basnet has significantly contributed to Nepali literature. His books include 72 ko Bismay, a political non-fiction work, and Mahabhara, a novel set during the Nepali Civil War. His latest book, Simsara, was published in 2024.
Binod Chaudhary: Chairperson of Chaudhary Group and Nepal’s only Forbes-listed billionaire, Chaudhary has made a mark in business, philanthropy, and literature. His presence at KLF underscores the event’s global appeal.
Rohini Rana: Author of The Rana Cookbook: Recipes from the Palaces of Nepal, Rana has played a key role in documenting and preserving Nepal’s culinary heritage. Her new book, The Nepal Cookbook: 108 Regional Recipes, will be launched at the festival.
Ranjana Niraula: A writer, poet, and literary critic, Niraula received the KLF Book Award for her Nepali book Anubhuti Ka Abataran. Her new English poetry collection, The Rhythm of Pain, will also be launched at the event.
Other participants include Suman Barsha, known for her short story collection Abhyantar; Ken Subedi, a translator and literary critic; and Pawan Thapa, a writer, filmmaker, and activist dedicated to promoting Nepali literature and social justice.
The Kalinga Literary Festival 2025
Marking its 10th edition, the Kalinga Literary Festival will host over 500 speakers from 10 countries and 25 languages as per a press statement released by KFL. This year’s themes will focus on climate justice, women’s voices in literature, crime fiction, memoir writing, translation, poetry, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of literature with contemporary issues.
Renowned for its socially relevant themes, KLF 2025 will continue to engage creative minds in discussions on modern challenges while drawing inspiration from historical narratives. With a vibrant mix of poetry, politics, art, and literature, the festival aims to celebrate South Asia’s rich literary traditions.
The participation of Nepali writers at KLF 2025 highlights the growing recognition of Nepal’s literary contributions on an international platform, fostering cross-cultural exchange and strengthening literary ties between Nepal and India.
