Jaipur Literature Festival 2025: Murty Family Hailed It as the ‘Queen of Literature Festivals’

The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2025, presented by Vedanta in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida, continued to dazzle on its third day, bringing together literary icons, global thought leaders, and passionate festival-goers. From insightful conversations on history, mortality, and journalism to a stirring mother-daughter discussion with Sudha and Akshata Murty, the day was a celebration of intellect, literature, and human connection.

Kal Penn on Hollywood, White House, and Stereotypes

The day ended on a high note with actor, producer, and former White House aide Kal Penn, who captivated audiences with anecdotes from his multifaceted career—from navigating Hollywood’s stereotypical casting to working under the Obama administration. He recalled auditioning alongside a white actor in brownface for Van Wilder and spoke candidly about breaking barriers in storytelling.

“There was a fear that if we cast a diverse show, white people wouldn’t watch it, but diverse audiences will always watch white content. What we’ve learned now is that humans will watch compelling stories, period,” he said, urging the audience to embrace inclusivity and challenge biases.

Murty Family Called JLF the ‘Queen of Literature Festivals’

The morning began with a soulful Dagarvani Dhrupad recital by Niloy Ahsan and Ustad Immamuddin Khan, setting the stage for an extraordinary day.

One of the most anticipated sessions featured bestselling author Sudha Murty in conversation with her daughter, businesswoman Akshata Murty, who described JLF as the “queen of literature festivals” or, as she fondly put it, “the Kashi of literature festivals” in her mother’s words.

Their heartwarming discussion touched upon their shared love for books, childhood storytelling, and the values of service and duty that shaped Akshata’s worldview. Sudha Murty, known for her deeply rooted narratives, emphasized how these ideals were central to her storytelling.

Venki Ramakrishnan on Mortality: “Death is a Necessity”

In a highly attended session, Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan explored the paradoxes of life, death, and longevity with a touch of humor. He reflected on how death is essential to evolution, stating, “All sorts of entities die—cities, companies. But when we think of human death, it’s not as simple as just stopping. At the moment of death, most of our cells are still alive, and our organs can still be used for transplants. So, what does death really mean?”

He also warned about the societal risks of extreme longevity, pointing out that populations that live longer often experience declining fertility rates, which could impact social and economic structures.

Stephen Greenblatt on the Fragility of Literature and Lost Civilizations

In a session titled ‘The Swerve Revisited: How the World Became Modern’, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Stephen Greenblatt engaged in a fascinating conversation with William Dalrymple, introduced by Jørgen Sejersted.

Greenblatt highlighted how entire civilizations and literary legacies were lost through war and time, emphasizing that the Renaissance rediscovery of Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura reshaped modern thinking. He also noted how science and poetry were once deeply intertwined, stressing the need for the humanities and sciences to work together in reimagining the future.

‘Frontline’: War Correspondents Shared Stories from Conflict Zones

A powerful and chilling discussion unfolded in ‘Frontline’, featuring six war correspondents, analysts, and photographers reflecting on the personal and ethical dilemmas of covering war.

• Lindsey Hilsum, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, and Yaroslav Trofimov shared their experiences covering crises in Rwanda, Iraq, and Ukraine, recalling the moments that changed them forever.
• Christopher de Bellaigue highlighted the destruction of culture amid war, particularly in Gaza and Afghanistan.
• Vishnu Som recounted his time covering Kargil, describing the harrowing moments under artillery fire and how his team pressed on to capture the realities of war.
• Edward Wong drew parallels between his father’s time in the Chinese Liberation Army and the experiences of American soldiers in Afghanistan.

The discussion underscored the bravery of journalists who document global conflicts, often at great personal risk.

Charlotte Wood’s Booker-Shortlisted Novel Explored Solitude and Climate Despair

In a deeply reflective session, Charlotte Wood, whose novel Stone Yard Devotional was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, spoke with Anish Gawande about the inward journey of a woman who retreats from modern life to a Catholic convent.

Wood shared that she wrote the novel during the pandemic, Australian bushfires, and her own cancer diagnosis, explaining that the book resonates with those who have been “chastened by the world.” She emphasized that confronting stillness and silence is one of the most difficult things to do in our times.

Badri Narayan Honored with Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Poetry Award

The prestigious Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for Poetry was presented to renowned Hindi poet Badri Narayan, celebrated for his profound sociological insights and thought-provoking writing. Narayan, who also won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2022, spoke about his connection to the social reformer and freedom fighter Kanhaiya Lal Sethia.

“Sethia Ji worked for marginalized people and fought for freedom. This award is not just an honor—it is a mission, and I am proud to be part of it,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by Sanjay K. Roy, Namita Gokhale, Ranjit Hoskote, and Jayprakash Sethia from the Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Trust, who praised Narayan’s literary contributions.

An Unforgettable Third Day at JLF

As JLF 2025 continued to enthrall audiences, the third day stood out for its profound discussions, heartfelt storytelling, and exploration of the fragility of life, literature, and history. With two more days of thought-provoking sessions, book launches, and cultural conversations, Jaipur remains at the center of the literary world, celebrating the power of words and ideas.