Kalinga Literary Festival begins

Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 (PTI) eighth edition of Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF), which was cancelled last year due to coronavirus pandemic, began in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi inaugurated three-day extravaganza, which has Nepal as this year's country partner.

Nepal Embassy Chargé d'affaires Ram Pras Subedi, and poets Sitakanta Mohapatra and Ramakanta Rath graced inaugural ceremony.

Poet Srinivas Udgata was given Kalinga Literary Award, while poet Arun Kamal was conferred on with Kalinga Literary International Award.

Scholar Gopalkrishna Gandhi said Gopabandhu Das h shown way a fearless writer should behave as he h courage to pen his thoughts while staying inside a British prison.

former West Bengal governor said all writers should follow Das' life story as a guide to become fearless with ir pens -- hallmark of a matured society.

Gandhi, Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty and Bollywood actor Divya Dutta were among 30 authors who received awards for ir books.

Minister Panigrahi said KLF set a 'national benchmark' in literary festivals over its eight editions.

festival will bring nationally and internationally-acclaimed names on one platform to discuss, debate and explore commonalities in diverse voices in literature, KLF founder Rashmi Parida said.

Over 300 speakers from world of literature, cinema, press, and politics will assemble at three-day literary meet. It will feature poetry sessions, panel discussions and talk shows.

'India at 75: Commemorating Republic of Letters' is me of festival to mark country's 75th year of Independence.

More than 30 new books and monographs will be released during event. festival can be watched live on social media platforms. PTI CORR HMB SOM SOM