New Chaaya Literature Festival aims to fill void for Telugu literary community
Hyderabad: In the wake of successful literary festivals across India, from the star-studded Jaipur Literature Festival and more specifically South India’s vibrant Bengaluru's Book Brahma Literature Festival and Kerala Literature Festival, a pressing question echoes through Telugu intellectual circles- Why, despite its deep roots and illustrious legacy, does Telugu literature not have a marquee festival that stirs the public’s imagination?
The newly launched Chaaya Literature Festival-2025 with a tagline 'Soul of Telugu' steps in to celebrate Telugu’s legacy, explore its present, and invite audiences to discover the next generation of literary talent. The one day event will be held on 25 October, 2025.
“The goal is to create a confluence,” Arunank Latha, organizer of the Chaaya Literature Festival. “We need a festival that unites and brings the established and the emerging to discuss, debate, and drive the literary conversation forward. It's about interacting with other language literatures.”
Highlights: 50 speakers, 16 sessions, 14 book launches
Building on this vision, the festival aspires to be a sweeping celebration of Telugu literary brilliance. Chaaya Literature Festival organizer Arunank Latha provided specific details to HyderabadMail, explaining that the event is planned as a single-day affair with over 50 speakers across 16 sessions. Seven sessions will be held exclusively in Telugu, eight in English, and one inaugural session.
Our emphasis is on Telugu literature and on reviving the link with Deccani literature, for which two exclusive sessions are being organized. The event promises to be a launchpad for fresh talent and bold ideas, with 14 book launches. Every half hour, an author will interact with the audience from an exclusive dais.
Moreover, the driving principle is inclusivity. The festival is conceived as a platform that is inclusive of all kinds of literary trends and individuals, ensuring that every facet of the Telugu literary world is represented in a manner that is both convincing and engaging for the public. Similarly, it also includes two sessions on the corporate-literature affiliations and cinema-literature connections. Further, it also includes sessions on translations, publishers, and many more.
The event will feature established writers such as Tamil author Perumal Murugan, Malayali writer Sheela Tony, and Kannada writer Vasudhendra. Organizers plan to hold the Chaaya Literature Festival annually at B.R. Ambedkar Open University, scheduled for the fourth week of October.