“Vacate the throne, for the people are coming.” These powerful words by Bihar’s Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar capture the spirit of change, awakening, and cultural pride exactly what the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 (NLF 2025) stands for. Scheduled from December 21 to 25 at the Rajgir Convention Centre, Nalanda, this five-day celebration is not just a literary gathering but a revival of Bihar’s timeless legacy, bringing its hidden treasures into the spotlight for the world to witness.

Legacy, Language & Literature

The theme for this year “Legacy, Language & Literature” focuses on “States of Stories: Bihar & The North East.” It is a journey into the cultural and linguistic heart of two regions that embody India’s diversity. The North East’s storytelling captures the magic of its landscapes, while Bihar speaks through the soul of its languages: Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika. Each language echoes centuries of lived experiences, wisdom, and emotions. By uplifting regional voices, NLF 2025 ensures these languages do not fade but instead become living bridges across generations, inspiring youth to embrace their roots while opening the door to global conversations.

A Stellar Line-Up

What makes NLF 2025 remarkable is its lineup of celebrated personalities. The unveiling event in Mumbai featured Shatrughan Sinha as the chief guest, joined by Padma Shri Kailash Kher, Akhilendra Mishra, Sudhanshu Pandey, Ashoke Pandit, and Koral Dasgupta. The speakers’ list is equally prestigious, including Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Pavan K. Varma, Prof. Ganesh Devy, Abhay K, Prabhat Ranjan, and renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Their presence makes NLF 2025 not just a regional celebration but a national and international platform for literature, culture, and thought.

Beyond Literature

The festival is designed as an immersive cultural experience. Attendees can look forward to workshops, language labs, heritage walks, folk art exhibitions, cuisine festivals, and musical evenings. A highlight of the festival will be the live performance by Kailash Kher on December 24. Adding a global dimension, the festival also welcomes participation from diaspora communities and collaborations with countries such as Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Laos, ensuring Bihar’s cultural essence resonates beyond borders.

A Cultural Renaissance

More than a festival, NLF 2025 marks a cultural renaissance. It gives hidden talents a platform, encourages the youth to rediscover their cultural heritage, and reclaims Bihar’s identity as a land of creativity, wisdom, and knowledge. As Shatrughan Sinha rightly described, it is a “historic cultural renaissance” a grand confluence of India’s literary, linguistic, and artistic brilliance.