Kathmandu, The fourth edition of the ‘Kathmandu Kalinga Literature Festival’ (KLF) will be held on June 6 and 7 in Nepal’s Lalitpur district. This two-day festival will feature prominent figures from various fields including literature, culture, cinema, music, diplomacy, and education.

According to the organizers, the chief guest for the opening ceremony will be Nepal’s former Prime Minister and the country’s first female Chief Justice, Sushila Karki. This year’s main theme of the festival is ‘Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing Landscape.’ KLF founder and director Rashmi Ranjan Parida stated, ‘This festival will deliberate on how literature, culture, art, spirituality, and creative thinking can help build a more connected and empathetic South Asia.’

New avenues for dialogue at a global level will also open

Parida said, ‘The Kathmandu Kalinga Literature Festival is truly a celebration of literature, culture, music, poetry, and our civilizational friendship.’ He added, ‘Through this platform, we hope to further strengthen the long-standing literary and cultural ties between Nepal, India, and South Asia. At the same time, it will also open new avenues for dialogue on a global scale.’

This two-day event will feature several distinguished personalities, including singer and actress Ila Arun, writer Pratibha Ray, spiritual thinker Acharya Prashant, renowned actor, lyricist, and writer Piyush Mishra, and famous writer and filmmaker Raj Shekhar. During the festival, various sessions will be held including discussions, panel talks, poetry readings, musical performances, cultural programs, and dialogues on civilizational ties. The ‘Kalinga Literature Festival’ (KLF), established in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of India’s leading literary and cultural festivals.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, known for its rich history as a major hub for trade, culture, and religion in the Himalayas. The city’s historic Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features ancient palaces and temples built by the Malla and Shah kings, with origins dating back to the 3rd century. Despite devastating earthquakes, Kathmandu remains a vibrant center of Newar architecture and Hindu-Buddhist traditions.

Lalitpur district

Lalitpur District, located in the Bagmati Province of Nepal, is historically significant for being home to the ancient city of Patan, one of the three major kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley. The district is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its centuries-old tradition of fine arts and craftsmanship, particularly in metalwork and woodcarving. Today, Lalitpur blends its historical legacy with modern urban development, serving as a key center for both tourism and local administration.

Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, India, is known as the “City of Temples” due to its rich architectural heritage spanning over 2,000 years. Historically, it was the ancient capital of the Kalinga kingdom and later flourished under the Kalinga and Somavamsi dynasties, with many temples built between the 7th and 14th centuries. The most famous among them is the Lingaraja Temple, a masterpiece of Hindu architecture, while the nearby Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves offer insights into its Jain and Buddhist past.

Odisha

Odisha, a state on India’s eastern coast, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and ancient history, including the powerful Kalinga Kingdom that was the site of the pivotal Kalinga War (261 BCE) that transformed Emperor Ashoka. It is famous for its exquisite temples, such as the Sun Temple at Konark and the Jagannath Temple in Puri, as well as its classical dance form, Odissi, and vibrant tribal traditions. The region’s history is marked by a blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences, with architectural and artistic achievements that span over two millennia.