Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 Concluded with Powerful Dialogues and Cultural Reflections

The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2025, presented by Vedanta in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by VIDA, concluded in grand style, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest literary gathering. Over the past five days, the festival brought together acclaimed authors, thinkers, historians, artists, and leading voices from sports, entertainment, and global affairs, making it a true celebration of ideas, culture, and storytelling.

Held at Hotel Clarks Amer, JLF 2025 witnessed over 600 speakers engaging in thought-provoking discussions, redefining the impact of literature on society. From exploring historical narratives to dissecting contemporary issues, the festival remained a melting pot of perspectives and intellectual exchanges.

A Festival That United Literary Minds Across Generations

This year’s JLF wasn’t just a meeting ground for established and emerging authors but also a platform for anyone who believes in the transformative power of literature. The final day was marked by soulful storytelling, political insights, discussions on history, music, and food, proving once again why this festival is the beating heart of global literary discourse.

Key Highlights from the Final Day

The Global Soundscape: Joe Boyd’s Musical Journey

Legendary music producer Joe Boyd, who has worked with Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, and R.E.M., took the audience on a fascinating journey through global music in his session ‘The Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey Through Global Music’.

Discussing his book And the Roots of Rhythm Remain, Boyd remarked, “We claim to know Western music, but in reality, we understand very little about its global influences. Reggae, Latin music, Brazilian Samba, Argentine Tango, Eastern European Gypsy music, and Indian classical music have all shaped the Western soundscape.” His session traced the global migration of musical styles, offering a deep dive into the fusion of traditions that define popular music today.

Manav Kaul: Writing Beyond the Screen

Celebrated actor and writer Manav Kaul opened the final day by reflecting on his literary journey in the session ‘A Bird on My Window Sill’.

“You might recognize my face, but I’d rather be known for my writing,” Kaul shared, as he spoke about his love for solitude, books, and the nostalgia of train journeys from his childhood. He reminisced about sitting at Hoshangabad railway station with his friend Salim, wondering where the fast-moving trains were headed, a curiosity that continues to inspire his work today.

“Words come when they want to, and when they do, there is nothing more beautiful,” he mused, capturing the essence of his creative process.

Empire: The Untold Story of Udham Singh

A much-awaited live podcast session featured Anita Anand and William Dalrymple, bringing their acclaimed series ‘Empire’ to a live audience with a discussion on Udham Singh—The Man and The Myth.

Anand provided a riveting account of Singh’s 20-year pursuit of justice after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, while Dalrymple’s signature sharp wit and storytelling flair kept the audience engaged. Anand shared her deep personal connection to the event, recalling a visit to Jallianwala Bagh with her children, which made her reflect on how history might have shaped her own family’s fate.

“Udham Singh saw hundreds die before his eyes, and history remembers him for the two bullets that made him immortal,” Anand remarked, as the session painted a vivid picture of India’s fight for justice and colonial resistance.

Abhijit Banerjee on Economics and Food Security

In the session ‘Chhaunk: Food, Economics, and Security,’ Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier joined journalist Vir Sanghvi to discuss the intricate connections between food and economics.

• Banerjee emphasized how economic principles shape societies, particularly in food security and resource allocation.
• Olivier compared the mechanized food culture in the U.S. with the deep-rooted culinary traditions of India, arguing that true cooking is an act of creativity in limited resources.
• Banerjee humorously noted that the world’s most beloved dishes—whether pizza, khichdi, or chow mein—were all born from humble, everyday ingredients, proving that scarcity often leads to the most innovative culinary traditions.

“Economics is embedded in every aspect of our lives, including the food we eat,” Banerjee concluded, making the complex world of economic theory accessible through the lens of food.

A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Through Personal Tragedy

In one of the festival’s most heart-wrenching sessions, journalist Nathan Thrall discussed his book A Day in the Life of Abed Salama, in conversation with Ghaith Abdul-Ahad.

The book narrates the devastating real-life story of a Palestinian father who lost his son in a bus accident, using this tragedy as a lens to unpack the Israeli occupation and systemic oppression. Thrall’s firsthand reporting from Jerusalem brought a deeply human perspective to one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.

Imtiaz Ali on Filmmaking, Social Media, and the Illusion of Success

Bollywood’s master storyteller Imtiaz Ali took the stage in a packed session ‘Jab We Met’ with film critic Anupama Chopra.

• Ali reflected on his two-decade journey in filmmaking, explaining how social media often distorts reality, showing people only what they want to see.
• He argued that failure is more valuable than success, as it teaches lessons that shape personal and professional growth.
• “Life is not just about success and failure; it’s about relationships, self-discovery, and continuous improvement,” he shared.

His insightful take on storytelling and the evolving nature of cinema made this session one of the most engaging of the day.

A Grand Celebration of Literature Comes to an End

As JLF 2025 drew to a close, the festival once again proved why it remains the greatest literary show on earth. From powerful historical accounts and compelling memoirs to the intersections of music, food, and storytelling, this year’s edition celebrated the enduring power of literature to inspire change, challenge perspectives, and unite diverse voices.

With its 18th edition successfully concluded, JLF reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. As authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts bid farewell to Jaipur, the countdown for JLF 2026 has already begun—promising another year of unforgettable literary magic.