Celebrating a Decade of Cultural Excellence
The Odisha Art & Literature Festival (OALF) 2025 marks a momentous milestone as we celebrate our 10th edition—a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and artistic exchange. What began as a regional initiative has evolved into an internationally acclaimed platform that bridges local heritage with global perspectives.
Over the years, OALF has distinguished itself from traditional literary festivals through its deeply community-based approach, creating an inclusive ecosystem where voices from every stratum of society find expression and resonance. We have transformed into everyone’s place for cultural exchange and literary discourse—a space where established luminaries engage alongside emerging talents, where local storytellers share platforms with international authors, and where academic discourse meets grassroots creativity. This organic evolution has resulted in a cultural commons belonging not only to the literary elite but also to students, artisans, thinkers, folk artists, and dreamers from diverse communities. Our festival buzzes with conversations in multiple languages, our sessions welcome diverse perspectives, and our workshops nurture talent regardless of background or pedigree. Through this community-centric philosophy, OALF has redefined what a literary festival can be—not merely a showcase of established voices, but a nurturing ground for cultural democracy where every participant becomes both audience and contributor to the larger narrative of human expression.
Our Vision
OALF is a beyond-the-borders endeavour that creates an inclusive space for Odia, Indian, and international voices. We bring together thinkers, poets, writers, artistes, painters, musicologists, translators, lyricists, singers, playwrights, stage directors, cinema artists, and social scientists for meaningful deliberations through panel discussions, interviews, readings, and performances.
Our Philosophy
Rooted in the timeless Sanskrit principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (one world, one family), OALF believes in staying local whilst thinking global. We celebrate the serendipity of art whilst remaining true to our cultural foundations, creating a sanguine atmosphere for cultural dissemination that transcends all boundaries.
A Decade of Transformation
Over the past ten years, OALF has transformed from a cherished regional gathering into an epicenter of international cultural exchange. Our global outreach has successfully integrated local culture and literary arts into the worldwide cultural landscape, positioning Odisha as a vital hub for cross-cultural dialogue.
The 2025 edition represents our most ambitious undertaking yet, featuring unprecedented global outreach and diversity. With increased local involvement across all social layers, we have evolved into a truly intercultural and international forum for dialogue and exchange about subjects that matter to today’s world.
Our Setting
OALF takes place annually in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha—a historically majestic, peace-loving, and serene state situated on India’s eastern coast. This setting provides the perfect backdrop for our festival, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary discourse.
The 2025 Edition
This landmark 10th edition features an extraordinary amalgamation of international and local voices, transforming the festival into a unique cultural destination. For the first time, our programme is curated by three globally acclaimed curators, Sabin Iqbal (UAE), Pramudith D Rupasinghe (Belgium) MK Ajay (Hong Kong), ensuring a truly diverse and enriching experience.
The festival remains committed to taking literature and culture to the next higher level, shunning all forms of compartmentalisation and taking every recourse to propagate our rich cultural legacy whilst embracing the voices and visions of our global community.
Our Commitment
OALF 2025 continues our mission to create meaningful dialogue between traditions and innovations, local and global perspectives, established voices and emerging talents. We invite you to join us in this celebration of human creativity and cultural exchange—a festival where every story matters, every voice is heard, and every culture is celebrated.
Welcome to OALF 2025—where the world comes together as one family.
Festival Director’s Note
As we stand at the door of our 10th edition, I am filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has brought us here. What began as a dream to celebrate Odia literature and culture has blossomed into a global confluence of minds, hearts, and creative spirits.
This milestone edition represents more than just a numerical achievement—it embodies a decade of unwavering belief in the transformative power of art and literature. We have witnessed OALF evolve from intimate gatherings in Bhubaneswar’s cultural spaces to becoming an international beacon that draws voices from across continents. Yet, through this remarkable growth, we have never forgotten our roots or abandoned our commitment to being a festival of the people, by the people, and for the people.
The 2025 edition is particularly special as we welcome three distinguished international curators who bring perspectives from East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This curatorial diversity reflects our core belief that literature and art know no boundaries, and that the most profound conversations emerge when different worldviews converge in mutual respect and understanding.
What moves me most deeply is how OALF has become a second home for so many—established authors finding new inspiration, emerging writers discovering their voices, students engaging with ideas that will shape their futures, and communities coming together to celebrate the rich tapestry of human expression. We have created something rare: a space where academic rigour meets popular accessibility, where tradition dialogues with innovation, and where local stories find global resonance.
As we celebrate this decade of cultural exchange, I invite you to be part of this continuing story. Together, we shall write the next chapter of OALF, ensuring it remains a festival that truly embodies the spirit of vasudhaiva kutumbakam.
Manu Dash
Festival Director, OALF 2025
