Jaipur Literature Festival 2025: Day 2 Explored History, Culture, and the Future of Society

The second day of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2025, presented by Vedanta in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida, captivated audiences with a diverse lineup of thought-provoking discussions. From the lost geniuses of history to the future of the British monarchy and global politics, the festival continued to be a melting pot of ideas, culture, and intellectual discourse at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur.

A Stellar Lineup of Speakers and Sessions

The day featured an illustrious gathering of literary minds, journalists, actors, and musicians, including Tina Brown, M.K. Raina, Ila Arun, Deepa Malik, Pankaj Mishra, Malashri Lal, Kailash Kher, Kal Penn, Edward Wong, Prajakta Koli, and David Walliams. The sessions covered a wide spectrum of topics, including democracy, geopolitics, memoirs, history, and culture, offering engaging discussions for all attendees.

William Dalrymple Unveiled India’s Unsung Legacy

Day 2 built upon the momentum of the festival’s opening sessions, including William Dalrymple’s powerful talk on ‘The Golden Road.’ Introduced by historian Anirudh Kanisetti, Dalrymple shed light on India’s overlooked yet profound influence on global trade, architecture, and mathematics. He emphasized that while figures like Pythagoras and Archimedes are well-known worldwide, Indian geniuses such as Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta remain largely unrecognized. He asserted, “Through successive ages, India’s contributions have been underrated. In the early centuries, it was India, not China, that dominated international trade and philosophy.”

Tina Brown on the British Monarchy: “A Fate Worse Than Death”

A session that drew widespread attention was ‘The Palace Papers,’ featuring renowned journalist and former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown in conversation with publisher Chiki Sarkar. Brown offered an unfiltered look at the British royal family, remarking, “I think it’s a fate worse than death to be a royal! A lot of the fascination with the monarchy stems from the human dilemma of being trapped in an institution.” She also noted, “In an era of weak political leadership, the monarchy has ironically become more significant.”

Vaccines, Inclusivity, and Bridging Barriers

In a session titled ‘Vax Nation: On Health and Vaccines,’ presented by the US Embassy, a panel featuring Thomas J. Bollyky, Vanshica Kant, and Guru Madhavan discussed the transformative role of vaccines in global healthcare and their significance in a rapidly changing world.

Another session, ‘Bridging Barriers: Inclusivity, Accessibility, and Empowerment,’ presented by United Nations India, addressed systemic challenges in healthcare, technology, and policy. Panelists included D.R. Mehta, founder of Jaipur Foot; Deepa Malik, celebrated Paralympian and author; Vicky Roy, a photographer who showcases the daily lives of individuals with disabilities; and Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator of India. The discussion highlighted the urgency of building inclusive cities and reshaping narratives around disability.

Vicky Roy emphasized the need to change how disabled individuals are portrayed, stating, “I noticed that people always saw photographs of disabled people with sympathy. I wanted to break that pattern by capturing them in their everyday lives, beyond their disabilities.”

Prajakta Koli Announced Sequel to Her Debut Novel

YouTube sensation and actor Prajakta Koli made a much-anticipated appearance to discuss her debut novel, Too Good to Be True. In conversation with Priyanka Khanna, Koli spoke about love, trust, and the stories we tell ourselves—both on and off the page. She called her audience her “biggest cheerleaders and most honest critics”, before excitingly announcing a sequel to her novel.

First Edition Book Launches: Himalayan Folktales and Kailash Kher’s ‘Teri Diwani’

As part of the festival’s FIRST EDITION book launches, several exciting new titles were unveiled. Among them was ‘The Whispering Mountains: Himalayan Folktales and Folklore’, co-written by Festival Co-Director Namita Gokhale and scholar Malashri Lal. Gokhale described the book as “a return to innocence” and expressed hope that these folktales would continue to be told and retold across generations.

Another highly anticipated launch was Kailash Kher’s book, ‘Teri Diwani: Shabdon Ke Paar’, in which the acclaimed musician shared his spiritual and musical journey. Kher reminisced about his struggles—from working in a printing press to driving trucks—before breaking into an impromptu live performance at the session’s end, much to the audience’s delight.

New America: Politics, Race, and Immigration in a Changing World

In the session ‘New America,’ featuring Thomas J. Bollyky, Kal Penn, Edward Wong, and Ijeoma Oluo, the panel dissected the shifting political and social landscape in the United States. Covering topics from immigration policies and women’s health to economic inequality and race relations, the discussion provided an insider perspective on how marginalized communities continue to fight for representation.

An Unforgettable Day of Ideas and Dialogue

From royalty and history to health, inclusivity, and literature, Day 2 of Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 offered a dynamic range of discussions that captivated attendees. As the festival moves forward, the coming days promise more compelling debates, literary discoveries, and cultural celebrations, keeping Jaipur at the heart of the global literary landscape.