Lucknow is set to host one of North India’s most anticipated cultural gatherings as the Koshala Literature Festival 2025 returns from 27th to 30th November at UP Darshan Park. With an expected footfall of over 12,000 visitors across four days, the festival celebrates literature, arts, music, and the city’s culinary heritage—especially significant after Lucknow’s recent recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The 2025 edition brings together an exceptional lineup of acclaimed authors, poets, scholars, performers, and chefs, positioning the festival as a key meeting point for creative minds from India and around the world.
A Confluence of Words, Art & Ideas
The festival will host a diverse range of literary sessions and conversations featuring prominent figures such as Ghazala Wahab, Manjari Chaturvedi, Anuja Chandramouli, Alka Pande, Koral Dasgupta, Neha Dixit, Jyotsna Mohan, Mehak Jamal, Muzaffar Ali, Kaveree Bamzai, Akshat Gupta, Rajit Kapoor, Jayant Krishna, and many more. Discussions will explore themes spanning mythology, women’s narratives, cultural memory, resilience, digital imagination, and evolving storytelling traditions.
Adding global depth to the programme, international guests Monia Aljalis (France), Guillermo Rodríguez Martín (Spain), and Monica de la Fuente (Spain–India) will participate, bringing cross-cultural perspectives to the festival’s literary landscape.
Launch of the Sahir Ludhianvi Award for Poetry
A major highlight this year is the national launch of the Sahir Ludhianvi Award for Poetry, honouring excellence in contemporary poetry. With jurors Ajay Jain, Waseem Barelvi, and Rishi Sethi, the award will feature separate categories for male and female poets.
Evenings of Music, Culture & Poetry
Each evening of the festival transforms into a cultural celebration, featuring:
- Hemant Kumar Tribute by Ritesh Ranjan Sahai, Ajai Jain, Sagnik Sen & Anubha Sen
- Sujoy Ghosh’s One-Man Orchestra
- Shaam-e-Sufiyana with Vidya Shah & Monica de la Fuente
- A Grand Mushaira with renowned poets
- A spectacular finale with Chugge Khan’s desert qawwali
Daawat-e-Sukhan: Culinary Tributes to Lucknow’s Gastronomy
Honouring Lucknow’s gastronomic legacy, the festival will present a curated trilogy of poetic dinners:
- Mez & Mehfil at Celestial Manor (27 Nov)
- Jashn-e-Mahal at Khajurgaon Palace (29 Nov)
- The Last Nazm at Rani Bagh, Clarks Awadh (30 Nov)
Each evening blends food, poetry, and performance in celebration of the city’s culinary artistry.
Celebrating Talent, Creativity & Craft
The festival will also feature the Koshala Talent Hunt, along with a vibrant Festival Market and Koshala Haat, showcasing emerging writers, regional crafts, artworks, books, and authentic Awadhi street flavours.
Event Details
Dates: 27th–30th November 2025
Time: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
Venue: UP Darshan Park, Lucknow
Tickets: Free and ticketed sessions (as per schedule)
Expected Attendance: 12,000+ visitors
The Koshala Literature Festival 2025 promises to be a dynamic confluence of creativity, culture, and community—honouring Lucknow’s artistic spirit while welcoming voices from across the globe.
