• Literary Mahakumbh to Be Held at Gopal Maidan for the First Time
• East Singhbhum Literary Festival from January 9 to 11
UditVani, Jamshedpur : In a landmark initiative aimed at preserving and promoting literature, art, culture, and tribal heritage, the District Administration, East Singhbhum, is organizing the First East Singhbhum Literary Festival 2026 from January 9 to 11 at Gopal Maidan, Jamshedpur. This three-day festival is set to mark a significant milestone in the cultural history of the district.
The literary festival will not be limited to literature alone; rather, it will serve as a comprehensive platform encompassing art, culture, tribal languages, history, folk traditions, and contemporary discourse. Renowned literary figures, poets, writers, historians, thinkers, and cultural practitioners from the district, state, and across the country will participate in the event.
The district administration has appealed to literature lovers, students, youth, and citizens to participate in large numbers and contribute to making the festival a historic success.
Eminent Writers and Intellectuals to Participate
The festival will witness the participation of several distinguished writers and intellectuals, including Padma Shri awardees and leading voices of contemporary Indian literature. Prominent participants include Padma Shri Dr Janum Singh Soy, Padma Shri Haldhar Nag, Padma Shri Dr Pushpesh Pant, Dr Narayan Oraon, Dr Anuj Lugun, Dr Parvati Tirkey, Dr Ashok Kumar Sen, Dr Pragya Sharma, Dr Himanshu Bajpai, Dr Surinder Singh Jodhka, Dr Neha Tiwari, Jerry Pinto, Neelotpal Mrinal, Chandrahass Choudhury, Mahadev Toppo, Sanjay Kachhap, Niranjan Kujur, Ranendra Kumar, Raza Kazmi, Bikram Grewal, Akshay Bahibala, Rahul Pandita, Saurav Roy, Premchand Oraon, Ravindranath Murmu, Yaduvansh Pranay, Anukriti Upadhyay, Joba Murmu, Shatabdi Mishra, among many others.
Confluence of Literature, Culture and Art
Along with literary sessions, the festival will feature a wide range of cultural and artistic activities. Visitors will enjoy live glitter art, live painting, live pottery, live band performances, traditional tribal welcome dances, theatrical presentation “Lohe Ka Aadmi Aur Loharin”, local Chhau dance performances, demonstrations of tribal games, and a vibrant book exhibition.
The festival promises to be a rich and immersive experience not only for literature enthusiasts but also for youth and the general public, fostering dialogue, learning, and cultural engagement.
Day-wise Event Schedule
Day 1 : January 9 (Friday)
• 10:00–10:15 AM: Inaugural Ceremony
• 10:15–11:00 AM: Jharkhand – A Global Perspective on Tribal Language and Literature
(Dr Parvati Tirkey, Dr Anuj Lugun)
• 11:00–11:45 AM: Chapters of Tribal History
(Padma Shri Dr Janum Singh Soy, Dr Ashok Kumar Sen)
• 12:00–12:45 PM: A Good Life: Lessons in Living and Leaving
(Jerry Pinto, Akshay Bahibala)
• 12:45–1:30 PM: The Story of “Hor Ror”
(Joba Murmu, Ravindranath Murmu)
• 3:00–3:45 PM: Language of the Soil
(Dr Narayan Oraon)
• 4:15–5:00 PM: The Saga of Rani Lakshmibai
(Dr Pragya Sharma, Dr Himanshu Bajpai)
Day 2 : January 10 (Saturday)
• 10:15–11:00 AM: From Libraries to People’s Movements
(Sanjay Kachhap, Yaduvansh Pranay)
• 11:00–11:45 AM: Discussion on Kurukh Literature – Two Voices, One Land
(Mahadev Toppo, Premchand Oraon)
• 12:00–12:45 PM: Tasting History
(Padma Shri Dr Pushpesh Pant, Chandrahass Choudhury)
• 12:45–1:30 PM: Living Folk Traditions
(Padma Shri Haldhar Nag, Akshay Bahibala)
• 3:00–3:45 PM: Caste, Class and Village in Contemporary India
(Dr Surinder Singh Jodhka, Saurav Roy)
• 4:15–5:00 PM: Viewing the World Through Neelotpal Mrinal’s Lens
(Neelotpal Mrinal)
Day 3 : January 11 (Sunday)
• 10:15–11:00 AM: Two Languages, One Inner World
(Anukriti Upadhyay, Yaduvansh Pranay)
• 11:00–11:45 AM: Remembering Mahasweta Devi: History, Myth and Narrative in Her Tribal Writings
(Ranendra Kumar)
• 12:00–12:45 PM: Once There Was a Forest – Beyond the Jungle Book
(Raza Kazmi, Bikram Grewal)
• 12:45–1:30 PM: Finding Your Voice – Interaction with Youth of East Singhbhum
(Chandrahass Choudhury)
• 3:00–3:45 PM: When the Camera Comes Home
(Niranjan Kujur, Dr Neha Tiwari)
• 4:15–5:00 PM: The Storyteller of Invisible Narratives
(Rahul Pandita, Yaduvansh Pranay)
• 5:30–6:00 PM: Valedictory Ceremony
