Jaipur, 12 January: The key facets of the upcoming 19th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival, presented by Vedanta, and globally known as the “greatest literary show on earth,” were announced at a press conference held at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, ahead of the Festival, which is scheduled from 15 - 19 January 2026. Produced by Teamwork Arts, the Festival continues to serve as a premier global platform for literature, ideas, and dialogue, convening distinguished voices from diverse disciplines, geographies, and generations.
*Celebrating Hindi Literature and Regional Indian Voices on a Global Stage*
This year the Jaipur Literature Festival will build in its deep-rooted relationship with Rajasthan’s cultural and creative ecosystem. The 19th edition promises an extraordinary confluence of writers, thinkers, policymakers, artists, and public intellectuals from around the world.
Star speakers include Abhishek Singh, Ali Eslami, Alice Oswald, Alok Vaid-Menon, Anamika, Andrew Graham Dixon, Anne Applebaum, Anuradha Roy, Arvind Subramaniam, Banu Mushtaq, D. Y. Chandrachud, Edward Luce, Ella Al-Shamahi, Esther Duflo, Fara Dabhoiwala, Fintan O’Toole, Fredrik Logevall, Gaur Gopal Das, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Janina Ramirez, Javed Akhtar, Jimmy Wales, Kiran Desai, Leo Varadkar, Maharaja Gaj Singh, Marcia Langton, Megha Majumdar, Nicholas Stern, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Percival Everett, Rachel Clarke, Richard Flanagan, Richard Horton, Shikhar Dhawan, Stephen Fry, Sudha Murty, Tanya Talaga, Tim Berners-Lee, Tom Freston, Ussama Makdisi, Vir Das, Vishwanathan Anand, William Sieghart, Yoshitoki Ōima, and many others, making it a truly global celebration of ideas, literature, and dialogue.
*Honouring the Legacy of Hindi and Rajasthani Literary Excellence*
As part of its continuing commitment to honouring literary excellence, the Jaipur Literature Festival also announced the recipient of the Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award for Poetry 2026. The award is judged by a distinguished jury comprising Namita Gokhale, Sukrita Paul Kumar, Ranjit Hoskote, and Siddharth Sethia, and recognizes the awardee’s profound and enduring contribution to poetry. Instituted in memory of Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia, an iconic poet in Rajasthani and Hindi, freedom fighter, social reformer, and Padma Shri awardee - the honour celebrates a body of work that reflects lyrical depth, moral clarity, and a deep engagement with society and the human condition. The award will be presented at a formal ceremony during the Festival on Saturday, 17 January 2026, along with a jury citation and a cash prize of INR 1,00,000.
*Rooted in supporting Rajasthan’s Cultural Economy*
As the Jaipur Literature Festival enters its 19th year, Rajasthan continues to form the vibrant core of the Festival. Each year, the Festival sustains a substantial cultural and economic footprint across the state, engaging approximately 2,000 locally based professionals across production, technical operations, hospitality, venue management, logistics, transport, and volunteer teams. Nearly 60 Rajasthan-based businesses support the Festival across food and beverage services, staging, lighting, décor, printing, crafts, merchandise, and technical services, alongside 55 - 60 food stalls that remain among the most visited spaces during the Festival. Collaborations with renowned craft clusters & Festival merchandise reinforcing the Festival’s enduring commitment to regional heritage, craftsmanship, and creative communities. Festival week continues to generate significant citywide economic momentum, with restaurants, cafés, markets, transport services, and hotels experiencing peak demand and near sold-out occupancy.
*Publishing, Language and Regional Storytelling at Jaipur BookMark*
Running alongside the Festival, Jaipur BookMark, South Asia’s leading publishing conclave, marks its 13th edition with a focus on Marathi Language, translations, emerging storytelling innovations, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in publishing, with The Royal Norwegian Embassy as its Country Partner. BluOne Ink presents Jaipur BookMark 2026 continues its joint initiative with the British Council: the India - UK Publishing Fellowship, that aims to deepen professional collaboration and expand global exposure for independent publishers. The Tamil Nadu Textbook Bureau, Sage Publications, and The Department of Marathi Language, Government of Maharashtra, join Jaipur BookMark as Session Partners.
*Showcasing Rajasthani and Indian Musical Traditions*
Extending the Festival’s cultural canvas, the First India News Jaipur Music Stage returns as one of the most anticipated live music platforms within a literary festival. The stage brings together a vibrant mix of contemporary, genre-blending, and independent voices from across India, reflecting the evolving soundscape of the country. The 2026 line-up features performances by Soumik Datta | Travellers, Vasu Dixit Collective, Parvaaz, Raman Negi, Yugm, Thaikkudam Bridge, and Gauley Bhai, offering audiences an engaging intersection of poetry, music, and storytelling.
Morning Music at the Jaipur Literature Festival, supported by the Infosys Foundation, celebrates the depth and diversity of India’s musical traditions, with a strong emphasis on classical, folk, and regional forms. The 2026 programme features NADA - Between Sound & Silence, a contemplative Carnatic ensemble led by Aishwarya Vidya Raghunath and Rithvik Raja; Rajasthani folk maestro Bhanwari Devi, whose powerful performances carry forward the rich oral heritage of the Bhopa community; TĀL FRY, an innovative rhythm collective exploring classical percussive traditions; the Ao Naga Choir, rooted in the ancestral folk melodies and choral practices of Nagaland; and Nawab Khan & The Mantra Band, led by the acclaimed santoor virtuoso whose meditative compositions draw from Kashmir’s musical legacy. Together, these performances underscore the Jaipur Literature Festival’s commitment to India’s pluralistic cultural landscape diverse expressions coexist, and music continues to serve as both a repository of memory and an evolving creative force.
*Partnerships and Support*
The Festival is presented by Vedanta, whose continued support has been integral to its success. The 2026 edition is supported by the Infosys Foundation and the MSF Foundation, with HSBC as the FOF Lounge Partner; HUL Taj Tea as the Official Tea Partner; the Planet Wheeler Foundation as the Session Series Partner; Vedica as the Official Hydration Partner; and New partnerships this year include Groww; First India News (Jaipur Music Stage); Pocket FM; Prestige Group; The Observer; and Shrewsbury International School. Media partners Business Standard, Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, Malayala Manorama,Sakal, iNext, Punjab Kesari, The New Indian Express and Jio News continue to amplify the Festival’s reach and impact.
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, said, “Over the past nineteen years, the Jaipur Literature Festival has grown into a meeting ground for ideas, imagination, and dialogue from across the world, while remaining deeply rooted in the cultural and intellectual life of India. The 2026 edition reflects our continuing belief in the power of literature to provoke conversation, nurture empathy, and help us engage more thoughtfully with the complexities of our times.”
Apurv Kumar, Managing Director, Clarks Group of Hotels, said, “The Jaipur Literature Festival is a landmark event that reflects the intellectual vitality and cultural heritage of Jaipur. Hosting the Festival once again at Hotel Clarks Amer is a matter of great pride and a significant driver of tourism and hospitality in the region.”
Continuing its commitment to accessibility and inclusion, the Festival will feature Sign Language Interpretation sessions in collaboration with Nupur Sansthan, ensuring wider participation and a truly inclusive experience for diverse audiences.