Kumaon Literature Festival is returning to a physical event after 2 years

on Oct 03, 2022

The festival, presently in its seventh year, was founded by author-social entrepreneur Janhavi Prasada and mentored by acclaimed writer Namita Gokhale. Its motto is 'C.A.L.M.' — Creativity, Art, Literature, Mountains.

After a two-year break, the Kumaon literature festival, 'Himalayan Echoes 2022,' will return to its hometown of Nainital in a tangible form on October 8. The festival, presently in its seventh year, was founded by author-social entrepreneur Janhavi Prasada and mentored by acclaimed writer Namita Gokhale. Its motto is 'C.A.L.M.' — Creativity, Art, Literature, Mountains.

"Himalayan Echoes is a celebration of mountain sounds from India's northern region. It's a hidden treasure of a festival that brings together arts, crafts, local cuisine, and music under one roof. It is India's first mountain festival with an emphasis on the environment. That is why I refer to it as India's "environment festival." "Prasada stated in a statement.

Among the many highlights of the festival are a talk on cinema and a live music performance by Ajay Bijli, chairman and MD of PVR Cinemas, with his band 'Random Order'; a session emphasizing Ayurveda by Kavita Khosla, creator of the wellness brand Purearth; and an informative session on tigers and the legendary conservationist Jim Corbett by Daleep Akoi.

"It's my first time at a mountain festival, and I'll be speaking about cinema and PVR's 25th anniversary, as well as doing a surprise with my band," Bijli explained.

Aside from informative discussions, there will be food stalls providing local Kumaon specialties, as well as a full-fledged 'Kumaon Bazaar' displaying regional wellness items, award-winning knitwear firms including mountain village women, handicrafts, and Aipan art.

Himalayan Echoes is a venue for meaningful talks about the Himalayas, as well as the promotion of literature, poetry, and research related to the mountains.

It will conclude on October 9.