Experience The 7th Edition of Dehradun Literature Festival 2025

The 7^th edition of the Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF) is announced and will be held this year on November 14, 15, and 16, 2025, at Doon International School, Dehradun. Since its inception in 2017, it has become one of India’s most admired annual festivals of literature, arts and culture. DDLF was conceived to celebrate literature and nurture a strong reading culture in Dehradun – widely recognised as India’s educational and literary hub.

The overarching theme for the 2025 edition is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Voices of Unity”. It sets the tone for conversations celebrating diverse topics under one platform, and the power of words connecting people across cultures and generations. Notably, this year marks the inaugural day, November 14, as Children’s Day, and Uttarakhand, as a state, together with Dehradun as its capital, completes 25 years of existence. Sustainability will be another key focus for the festival.

A Curtain-Raiser event was hosted in New Delhi at Sahitya Akademi, where the evening opened with a welcome address by the Festival Director, key highlights of this year’s festival were announced, and an informative spotlight session was hosted on the topic “Literature in the World of AI”. It featured a lively discussion by Dr. Vikram Sampath and Sandeep Singh Chauhan, moderated by Aditi Maheshwari, paving the way for thought‑provoking conversations that the festival will continue to foster.

Samraant Virmani, Founder of Dehradun Literature Festival, said, “With each year our aim with the Dehradun Literature Festival is to encourage and inspire captivating conversations on varied topics of interest – celebrating literature, arts and culture. As we plan another exciting edition this November, it will bring together distinguished authors, artists, thought leaders, cultural icons, creative voices and more. Our festival is an annual celebration – of and for the community – as we honour India’s vibrant heritage and continue building a movement that embraces diverse voices from India and around the world, and attracts audiences from across generations.

Furthermore, we are proud that our festival continues to be a ticketless, open-to-all celebration – rooted in the belief that literary social gatherings should be accessible to everyone, free of charge – especially to students who represent our next generation of future readers, authors, and creative visionaries.”

Additional Highlights – Dehradun Literature Festival 2025:

Among the top highlights of the 2025 edition, three prestigious awards were declared – the Ruskin Bond Literary Award, recognising remarkable contributions to literature, the Shivani – Iron Lady of the Hills Award, recognising resilience and empowerment, and the Guardians of Himalayas Award commemorating efforts dedicated to preserving the unique Himalayan ethos.

This year’s line-up and programming reflect the true spirit of a multidisciplinary festival, weaving together literature, arts, culture, cinema, music, food, and more under one platform. These are some of the key speakers expected across various categories:

• Books & Ideas: Justice D Y Chandrachud will headline two conversations – one with school students on “We the Students: Dialogue on Democracy” and another on “Justice, Democracy and the Idea of India.” Acclaimed authors Divya Prakash Dubey, Abhay K, Anamika, Sam Dalrymple, Roopa Pai, and Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan will explore storytelling, history, and new literary voices. Sessions such as “Kahaani Junction” with Divya Prakash Dubey and “Reclaiming Sita’s Narrative” with Anamika promise to resonate with audiences.

• Cinema & Performing Arts: A powerful women directors’ roundtable with Nandita Das and Leena Yadav will explore shifting narratives in Indian cinema. “Apna Apna Normal” reunites the cast of Sitaare Zameen Par to reflect on representation and inclusivity – speakers on the panel will include Gurpal Singh, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Manuj Sharma, and Ashish Pendse. Actors Prit Kamani, Namita Dubey, Nidhi Bisht, and Chandan Roy will share personal stories of craft and perseverance in “Picchar Abhi Baaki Hai.”

• Music & Culture: The festival will celebrate folk traditions with Malini Awasthi in conversation about her memoir Chandan Kiwaad and a performance of “Sound of Women – Folk Rhythms from Uttarakhand.” Indie music features on the bill with Osho Jain, Vedi Sinha (Aahvaan Project), and Buland Himalaya, while evenings will echo with poetry, performance, and dialogues on the cultural heartbeat of India.

• Spirituality & Wellness: Spiritual leader Jaya Kishori will reflect on her new book in “Living the ‘It’s Okay’ Path,” offering insight into acceptance and resilience. Rujuta Diwekar will also feature in sessions focusing on health and lifestyle.

• Food & Lifestyle: Celebrated chef Suvir Saran will enrich the festival with insights into food as storytelling and heritage, while cultural commentators such as Shobhaa De, Bhawana Somaaya, and Usha Uthup will enrich the conversations with their unique perspectives.

The 7^th edition of Dehradun Literature Festival promises to transform the valley into a vibrant hub of ideas and inspiration, reaffirming its reputation as one of India’s most admired celebrations of literature, arts and culture.