JLF2025 Opens with Grand Celebrations and Thought-Provoking Dialogues

The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2025, presented by Vedanta in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida, opened with a grand celebration of books, ideas, and culture at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Recognized as the world’s greatest literary gathering, the festival set the tone for an engaging five-day journey of discourse, debate, and artistic expression.

The inaugural ceremony blended tradition and intellectual fervor, beginning with a soulful Ganesh Vandana by Carnatic vocalist Supriya Nagarajan, followed by the rhythmic echoes of Nathoolal Solanki’s nagadas. The dignitaries, including Festival Co-Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, Festival Producer Sanjoy K. Roy, and special guests such as Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, EU Ambassador H.E. Herve Delphin, and business leaders Apurv & Timmy Kumar, Sanjay & Jyoti Agarwal, performed the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. Ramakrishnan delivered a compelling keynote address on the intersection of science and the arts, and the ceremony concluded with a two-minute silence in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of his assassination.

A Star-Studded Day of Literature and Ideas

The first day of JLF 2025 hosted an impressive lineup of global thinkers, authors, and Nobel Laureates, including Esther Duflo, Kailash Satyarthi, Gideon Levy, Javed Akhtar, William Dalrymple, Geetanjali Shree, Ijeoma Oluo, and Venki Ramakrishnan. With discussions spanning themes of democracy, geopolitics, history, literature, biographies, and memoirs, the sessions catered to an array of literary and intellectual interests.

Festival Co-Director Namita Gokhale described the festival as “a pilgrimage of thought and mindfulness,” while William Dalrymple reflected on the power of public literary performances in India’s cultural tradition. Sanjoy K. Roy addressed the current global challenges, emphasizing the solace found in writing and books.

Compelling Conversations and Standout Sessions

• Geetanjali Shree, International Booker Prize winner, discussed her novel Hamara Shahar Us Baras (Our City That Year), exploring the concept of borders, communalism, and identity. She emphasized the need for introspection, saying, “There are no water-tight borders, not even in our identities. We must ask ourselves, where have we gone wrong?”
• In the session ‘Gyan Seepiyan: Pearls of Wisdom,’ renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar urged the importance of learning native languages alongside English. He asserted, “There is no poetry in fascism; poetry is written in the language of love, while fascism is dictated by hatred.”
• Award-winning writer Namita Gokhale explored the life of medieval mystic saint Drukpa Kunley, known for his unconventional wisdom. The discussion delved into the Sacred Tales of the Mad Monk, highlighting his defiance of dogma and traditional prescriptions of Buddhism.
• Bestselling author David Nicholls spoke about his novel You Are Here, reflecting on themes of solitude versus loneliness and the unpredictable nature of friendships. He shared insights into his writing journey and the challenges of crafting fiction.
• Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier introduced their book Poor Economics for the Young, aiming to help children understand poverty through shared global experiences. Olivier noted that the book’s characters were intentionally illustrated in diverse colors to reflect cultures worldwide.
• Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter David Hare delved into his life in theatre and film, discussing the importance of audience engagement and the impact of feminism on his storytelling. He highlighted how theatre differs from film and TV, emphasizing its raw, immediate connection with the audience.
• Beloved author Sudha Murty, in conversation with Meru Gokhale, shared her approach to writing for children. She revealed that she embraces a childlike mindset while crafting stories and emphasized the role of literature in preserving heritage and culture.
• William Dalrymple’s session on his latest bestseller The Golden Road explored India’s pivotal role in ancient Eurasia. He traced how Indian art, ideas, and innovations influenced global civilizations, making India an intellectual and cultural powerhouse.

A Festival of Ideas, Set to Continue

As JLF 2025 unfolded its opening day with riveting discussions and literary excellence, the festival reaffirmed its status as a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and global narratives. With four more days of thought-provoking sessions and insightful debates, Jaipur is set to remain the epicenter of the literary world, promising an unforgettable experience for book lovers, thinkers, and cultural enthusiasts alike.