The 16th edition of Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest presented by Godrej Industries Group successfully concluded on Sunday, reaffirming the city’s place as India’s cultural and literary capital. Over three engaging days, the festival brought together more than 120 celebrated authors, thinkers, and artists from India and around the world. Nadir Godrej, Chairperson and Managing Director, Godrej Industries Group, said: “Through Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest, we celebrate not just stories and ideas, but the spirit of curiosity that drives innovation and progress.”
The festival featured an exceptional lineup, including Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka, former CJI Dhananjay Chandrachud, Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De, Jerry Pinto, Luke Countinho, Anindita Ghose, Swati Pandey, Paromita Vohra, Tarini Mohan. A special installation titled “Letters to the Future” offered a reflective space for attendees to share their hopes for the next generation of readers and writers. Themes such as diversity, inclusion and creativity, the evolution of Indian identity, and the power of narrative to drive social change dominated this year’s conversations.
The festival’s top honours—the Poet Laureate Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award—were conferred upon Shri Sitanshu Yashaschandra and Shri Vinod Kumar Shukla, respectively, in recognition of their outstanding literary contributions. Amy Fernandes, Festival Co-Director, added, “A fabulous finish to the 16th year of the Mumbai LifFest. What began as a gathering of readers and writers 15 years ago has grown into a vibrant exchange of ideas that transcends genres and generations.” Building on its commitment to inclusion, this year’s LitFest took accessibility a step further with over 15 sessions interpreted in Indian Sign Language (ISL) by Access for All. The organization also conducted a zine-making workshop for children, aimed at nurturing empathy and creative expression.