Vedanta Presents Jaipur Literature Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Ideas, Music, Art & More
The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025, presented by Vedanta, in association with Maruti Suzuki and powered by Vida, kicked off today in Jaipur with a vibrant blend of cultural performances, inspiring talks, and thought-provoking discussions. Recognized globally as the grandest celebration of books and ideas, this year’s festival is a platform for exploring diverse voices and creative expressions.
The opening ceremony set the tone with a serene Ganesh Vandana by classical vocalist Supriya Nagarajan and the lively beats of Nathoolal Solanki’s nagada group, filling the air with a celebratory spirit. Held at Hotel Clarks Amer, the ceremony also included welcome addresses from festival co-directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, and a keynote speech by Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, who explored the intersection of science and the arts. The day concluded with a solemn moment of silence in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi.
Key Highlights of Day 1:
- Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: Co-Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple highlighted the festival’s inclusive and diverse programming, while Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, reflected on the festival’s 18-year legacy.
- Diverse Sessions: The festival kicked off with a powerful lineup of speakers, including Nobel laureates Esther Duflo and Kailash Satyarthi, Javed Akhtar, Geetanjali Shree, and Gideon Levi, covering topics like democracy, geopolitics, biographies, and history.
- Cultural Performances: Musical and artistic performances brought a unique dimension to the event, setting the stage for deep conversations and creative exploration.
In the Words of Key Figures:
- Namita Gokhale: “The Jaipur Literature Festival is a pilgrimage of thought and mindfulness, a platform where ideas bloom and minds connect.”
- William Dalrymple: “The public performance of literature has always been a powerful tradition in India, deeply connected to the country’s rich literary history.”
- Sanjoy K. Roy: “In the face of global conflicts, the written word remains a beacon of hope, offering solace and sparking societal change.”
A Festival of Ideas and Transformation:
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta, emphasized the power of storytelling to inspire change. She shared how Vedanta‘s social impact initiatives in Rajasthan have nurtured sustainable communities, underscoring the importance of integrating culture with progress.
Other captivating sessions included Geetanjali Shree discussing her work “Our City That Year,” which explores communalism and the fluidity of identity, and Javed Akhtar, who spoke on the importance of preserving native languages and the role of poetry in combating hatred.
Inspiring Conversations:
- David Nicholls delved into the unpredictability of life in his bestselling book One Day and discussed the fine line between solitude and loneliness.
- Esther Duflo shared insights from Poor Economics for the Young, emphasizing the power of perspective in understanding poverty across cultures.
- David Hare explored the relationship between theatre and politics, offering a glimpse into the evolving role of artists in society.
- Sudha Murty shared her journey as a children’s author, stressing the importance of retaining a childlike mindset in storytelling.
The first day of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 has set the stage for an exciting week ahead, where the worlds of literature, art, and culture will converge to create meaningful dialogue and inspire new perspectives.
This year’s festival is a powerful reminder of how literature can spark change, promote cultural exchange, and illuminate the path forward in a complex world. Stay tuned for more inspiring sessions, as Vedanta presents Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 continues to celebrate the magic of stories and ideas.