Bhopal Literature & Art Fest 2025 Commences At Bharat Bhavan; Aims To Earn ‘UNESCO City Of Literature’ Tag

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Bhopal Literature Festival (BLF) kicked off with an engaging series of discussions, cultural showcases, and a tribute to tribal art on Friday. The event aimed to promote literature as a guiding light in today’s age of misinformation and chaos, with a vision to earn Bhopal the ‘UNESCO City of Literature’ tag.

The festival began with the unveiling of a painting by renowned tribal artist Bhuri Bai, presented as a memento of the event. Raghav Chandra, one of the founding members of BLF, emphasized the importance of literature and creativity in instilling human values and fostering calmness in a turbulent world. He also highlighted the presence of tribal artists from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, with 30 artists showcasing their talent in the dedicated tribal art fair.

“Sanskrit Vangmaya Mein Mahakavi Kalidas”
Esteemed scholars Radhavallabh Tripathi, Anamika, and Premshankar Shukla engaged in an in-depth discussion with Leeladhar Jagoori on the works of the legendary poet Kalidas.

“Story Writing for Children”
Authors Tultul Biswas and Dr. Shailaja Menon shared insights on children's literature in a session moderated by Shailaja Srinivasan, exploring storytelling techniques for younger audiences.

“Time Dating of Ancient India: The Science of Kaal, Kalpa, and Yuga”
Former CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla and historian Vedveer Arya delved into the science behind ancient Indian calendars. Arya discussed the Chaturmas principle, the Falguni season, and the various calendars used in India, such as the Vikram, Yug, and Saptarishi calendars (still prevalent in Kashmir). He also highlighted how Mahakavi Kalidas referenced King Vikramaditya in his writings and lamented the ongoing efforts to validate the existence of Vikramaditya, who inspired the Vikram calendar.

Vision for BLF

Raghav Chandra underscored the significance of recognizing and honoring literary contributions, mentioning award-winning writers and their priceless works. He expressed BLF’s commitment to nurturing a rich literary culture and its aspiration to establish Bhopal as a UNESCO City of Literature.

The festival continued with various other discussions and sessions, bringing together authors, scholars, and artists to celebrate literature, culture, and creativity.