Mumbai: India’s pioneering festival curator and production house, Teamwork Arts, announced the first tranche of speakers for its much-awaited 18th edition of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, scheduled to take place from 30th January to 3rd February 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. Globally known as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’, the Festival will once again bring together a vibrant mix of writers, thinkers and readers to explore the transformative power of literature and its unique ability to connect people across cultures.
The 2025 edition of the world’s grandest celebration of books and ideas will reinforce the timeless power of our stories to bridge divides, foster empathy, and celebrate our shared human experiences. In line with a commitment to sustainability, the 2025 iteration will feature environmentally conscious practices throughout the Festival.
With an engaging lineup of debates, thought-provoking discussions, and unforgettable performances, this year’s programme promises a unique blend of cultural wealth, literary masterpieces, and a focus on a greener future, making it a literary festival like no other.
At its heart, the Jaipur Literature Festival remains a champion of linguistic diversity, providing a platform for a wide array of languages. This year’s sessions will feature works and discussions in languages including Hindi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Sanskrit, Assamese, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, and Urdu emphasising the Festival’s commitment to inclusivity and representation of India’s rich literary heritage.
‘First List of Speakers’ for 18th Edition of Jaipur Literature Festival 2025
The 18th edition will feature over 300 speakers across five dynamic venues, offering attendees the chance to engage with a stellar lineup of global and Indian literary figures.
The first list of speakers includes literary luminaries such as André Aciman, Anirudh Kanisetti, Anna Funder, Ashwani Kumar, Cauvery Madhavan, Claudia De Rham, David Nicholls, Fiona Carnarvon, Ira Mukhoty, Irenosen Okojie, Jenny Erpenbeck, John Vaillant, Kallol Bhattacherjee, Maithree Wickramasinghe, Manav Kaul, Miriam Margolyes, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Nathan Thrall, Prayaag Akbar, Priyanka Mattoo, Stephen Greenblatt, Tina Brown, V. V. Ganeshananthan, Venki Ramakrishnan, and Yaroslav Trofimov, promising a series of stimulating and eclectic discussions.
Like each year, the Festival will showcase an impressive range of authors, thinkers, and cultural icons, including Indian historian Anirudh Kanisetti, known for his deep dive into South Asian history, whose latest book, The Age of Wrath: A History of the Delhi Sultanate, explores the rise, rule, and impact of the Delhi Sultanate on medieval India, and bestselling British novelist David Nicholls, celebrated for works like One Day, that pivots around a poignant and evocative love story spanning two decades and has inspired a Hollywood film and more recently, a widely-watched Netflix series.
The roster of speakers goes on to include historian and writer Ira Mukhoty, who brought the untold stories of powerful women from India’s Mughal Empire in Daughters of the Sun and in her latest book, The Lion and The Lily: The Rise and Fall of Awadh, tells a nuanced and richly layered account of the rise and fall of Awadh in the eighteenth century against the background of the international struggle between Britain and France.
Canadian-American author and journalist John Vaillant, famed for his exploration of the conflict between nature and humankind in The Golden Spruce, in his latest book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, takes readers on a riveting journey through the intertwined histories of North America’s oil industry and the birth of climate science, to the devastation brought about by modern forest fires, and lives forever irrevocably impacted by these disasters. The book, a Pulitzer finalist and on the New York Times Top Ten list, won the 2024 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and the 2023 Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.
The Festival will also welcome Sri Lankan-American novelist V V Ganeshananthan, whose works address the complex legacies of the Tamil-Sri Lankan experience and whose latest book, Brotherless Night, is a novel set during the Sri Lankan Civil War, exploring the personal and political turmoil of a young woman navigating her way through the violence. Her evocative storytelling won her the prestigious Carol Shields Prize for Fiction in 2024.
There will also be Miriam Margolyes, British-Australian writer and actress, best known for her role as Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, who recently released her memoir, Oh Miriam: Stories from an Extraordinary Life, where she shares candid anecdotes from her life, including her experiences with famous personalities and behind-the-scenes stories from her career.
The Festival will feature journalist & author Nathan Thrall, whose latest book, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: A Palestine Story, is a gripping portrayal of a fateful day in Palestine that upends lives, loves, enmities, and histories in an act of tragic violence, that won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize.
Harvard academic Stephen Greenblatt will shed light on his latest book, Second Chances, co-authored with Adam Phillips, which examines the human capacity for renewal, as seen through Shakespeare and Freud, highlighting human resilience and the complexities of recovery.
Acclaimed authors Andre Aciman, best known for Call Me by Your Name, whose latest work is Roman Year: A Memoir, a deeply romantic memoir of his time in Rome while on the cusp of adulthood; Cauvery Madhavan, whose novels explore personal and family dynamics and the migrant identity; and British theoretical physicist Claudia De Rham, author of A Place in the Sun, will also share their narratives.
Also featured are Irenosen Okojie, a British-Nigerian writer whose works blend magical realism with contemporary themes, and economist Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan, whose exploration of risk and uncertainty has reshaped global thinking.
With speakers such as Indian author Prayaag Akbar, whose novel Leila explores themes of dystopia and social justice, and whose latest book Mother India, centres around the complexities of modern India through the lives of two young people in Delhi, along with Sri Lankan academic Maithree Wickramasinghe, whose latest book is In My Mother’s House: Civil War in Sri Lanka, that delves into the profound impact of the Sri Lankan civil war on families, identity, and the broader social fabric of the country.
Attendees can also look forward to a session with Tina Brown, whose work includes The Palace Papers, which looks into the British royal family’s challenges and changes after Princess Diana, covering key events like the rise of Kate Middleton and Harry and Meghan’s royal exit.
Ukrainian-born Italian journalist, chief foreign-affairs correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, Yaroslav Trofimov, a 2024 Pulitzer finalist, whose Our Enemies Will Vanish, a powerful account of Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion, and Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan, whose latest book, a groundbreaking exploration of the science of why and how we age and die, Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality, will be in the spotlight at this truly enlightening Festival.
Voices Behind the Festival
Namita Gokhale, renowned writer and Festival Co-Director said:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival has always been a vibrant meeting place for stories, ideas, and cultures. As we prepare for our 18th edition, we celebrate literature’s power to inspire, challenge, and unite. This year, we welcome an incredible lineup of authors, poets, and thinkers, who will engage our audiences in unforgettable conversations and foster a shared love for the written word.”
William Dalrymple, acclaimed historian, writer and Festival Co-Director, shared:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival has always been a celebration of the written word, a confluence of diverse voices, and a testament to the power of stories to inspire and connect. This year, as we gather again in the Pink City, we look forward to welcoming a stellar lineup of writers, thinkers, and dreamers from around the world. It’s a space where ideas spark, cultures converge, and conversations thrive—a true carnival of literature for all.”
Sanjoy K Roy, MD of Teamwork Arts, remarked:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival has become a global brand synonymous with culture, creativity, and collaboration. This year, we aim to amplify its impact, not just as a celebration of literature but as a powerful platform for storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide. The festival offers unparalleled opportunities for partners, sponsors, and stakeholders to connect with a diverse and engaged audience, creating meaningful conversations and driving global visibility. It’s more than an event—it’s a movement that bridges cultures and inspires innovation.”
Highlights of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025
Jaipur BookMark (JBM): Bridging Creativity and Commerce
Celebrating its 11th edition, Jaipur BookMark (JBM) continues to shine as a premier B2B networking platform for the literary world. This hub for publishers, authors, literary agents, and industry leaders fosters innovation, collaboration, and new opportunities. As the business arm of the Festival, JBM serves as a meeting ground where creative ideas transform into impactful global projects.
Heritage Evenings and Jaipur Music Stage
Beyond literature, the Festival extends its celebration to arts and culture, with Heritage Evenings set against Jaipur’s historical backdrops, offering attendees a taste of Rajasthan’s rich heritage. The Jaipur Music Stage, running parallel to the Festival, will showcase electrifying performances by renowned Indian and international musicians, adding rhythm and vibrancy to the festivities.
Platform for Global Voices
As the world’s most beloved literary gathering, the Jaipur Literature Festival has earned its place as a democratic, non-aligned platform, championing freedom of expression and inclusivity. Each year, it brings together voices that challenge the status quo, inspire innovation, and celebrate diversity, making it a beacon of intellectual and cultural exchange.
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 is not just an event; it is a celebration of ideas, cultures, and the universal love for storytelling. Whether you’re a passionate reader, a budding writer, or someone who simply loves great conversations, this Festival is the place to be.
About Jaipur Literature Festival
Described as the ‘greatest literary show on Earth’, the Jaipur Literature Festival is a sumptuous feast of ideas.
The past 17 years have seen it transform into a global literary phenomenon, having hosted nearly 2000 speakers and welcoming over a million book lovers from across India and the globe.
As the years pass and the Festival grows, our core values remain unchanged: to serve as a democratic platform offering access to all. Every year, the Festival brings together a diverse mix of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, business leaders, sports people and entertainers on one stage to champion the freedom to express and engage in thoughtful debate and dialogue.
Writers and Festival Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, alongside Festival Producer Teamwork Arts, invite speakers to take part in the five-day programme set in the historic and dynamic state capital Jaipur.
Past speakers have ranged from Nobel Laureates JM Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk and Muhammad Yunus, Man Booker Prize winners Ben Okri, Margaret Atwood and Paul Beatty, Sahitya Akademi winners Girish Karnad, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, MT Vasudevan Nair as well as the late Mahasweta Devi and UR Ananthamurthy along with literary superstars including Amish Tripathi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Vikram Seth. An annual event that goes beyond literature, the Festival has also hosted Amartya Sen, Amitabh Bachchan, the late APJ Abdul Kalam, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Fry, Thomas Piketty and former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai.
About Teamwork Arts
Teamwork Arts is a highly versatile production company with roots in the performing arts, social action and the corporate world. For over 30 years, Teamwork Arts has taken India to the world and brought the world to India, presenting the finest of Indian performers, writers, change makers and visual artists in the knowledge and arts space in India and abroad.
Every year, we produce over 33 festivals in 72 cities and 26 countries in the fields of performing & visual arts and literature. We produce the world’s largest literary gathering: the annual Jaipur Literature Festival; JLF international now travels to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Maldives, and Europe.
Even amidst the upheaval and unsettling times of 2020 and through 2021, Teamwork Arts successfully launched the digital series, JLF Brave New World and Words Are Bridges, which were viewed by over 4.8 million people in their first season.
Through its digital avatar, the Jaipur Literature Festival reached over 27 million viewers in January 2021. Art Matters empowers artists across India to collaborate by commissioning them to create new works.
The digital series Be Inspired was launched in 2021 – a series that crystal gazes into the future with conversations on science, technology, innovation, environment and more. The first on-ground edition of ‘Be Inspired – Festival of Ideas’ was held in April 2023.
TV9 Network and News9 are proud partners of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025.
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 returns with its 18th edition from January 30 to February 3 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Featuring over 300 speakers across five venues, this iconic festival will spotlight the transformative power of literature. Events Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
