Kalinga Literary Festival 2024 Wraps Up with Insights on Nepalese Cinema, Culture, and Emerging Literary Talents

Kalinga Literary Festival 2024 concluded with discussions on Nepalese cinema, culture, and emerging literary talents, highlighting diverse perspectives and vibrant dialogues.

on Sep 10, 2024

Kalinga Literary Festival 2024 | Frontlist

The Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival recently concluded its third edition at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur, wrapping up a vibrant two-day event. Featuring over 50 sessions, the festival announced that the fourth edition is scheduled for September 13-14, 2025.

Notable highlights included actor Rajesh Hamal’s discussion with Rupesh Shrestha in the session titled ‘Life Dedicated to Nepalese Films’. Hamal addressed the evolving Nepali film industry, countering claims of stagnation and reflecting on its growth over the years.

The session ‘Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature’ saw panellists Abhi Subedi, Uday Prakash, and Rohini Rana delve into Nepal’s rich cultural landscape. Subedi focused on the influence of faith on historical architecture, while Rana highlighted the role of cuisine in cultural expression.

Former Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae spoke in ‘Rethinking Development and Diplomacy in the Digital Age’, emphasizing the need for credible diplomacy and the role of public opinion in shaping government policies.

Director Sujit Bidari, in ‘The Art of Storytelling in Film’, shared his experiences with his film Ainaa Jhyal Ko Putali, advocating for diverse content and the importance of revision in filmmaking.

The festival also showcased ‘Voices of Tomorrow: Emerging Literary Talents of South Asia’, where panellists discussed the engagement of Gen Z with literature through digital platforms and the necessity for writers to adapt to evolving reader preferences.

The final day featured around 30 additional sessions covering diverse topics such as diaspora writing, cultural communication, civilizational dialogue, child psychology in literature, and gender empowerment through literature.