A Gala of Stories, Music & Ideas: Koshala Literature Festival to light up Lucknow between Nov 27–30

Think about it — in a world racing toward modernity, it’s rare to witness an assembly of the finest literary minds, linguists, creators and cultural visionaries under one roof. Scenes like this belong to an age when poets, thinkers and artists graced royal courts, filling grand halls with their intellect and imagination. Koshala is set to host a four-day literature festival in Lucknow, featuring some of the most celebrated creative intellects who have shaped their fields across generations.

In its 4th edition, the Koshala Literature Festival returns from November 27–30 with a handpicked lineup of literary sessions, musical evenings and panel discussions. Before you book your passes, here’s what awaits you:

After three blockbuster editions, the festival returns in an even grander and more vibrant avatar. The Koshala Literature Festival 2025 will unfold at the picturesque UP Darshan Park in Gomti Nagar; a venue perfectly suited for an event of Koshala’s scale and spirit. Starting November 27, from 1 pm onwards, the festival will host a diverse lineup of interviews, book launches, speaker sessions, panel discussions, mushairas, musical performances and more.

Alongside the main stage, attendees can participate in live workshops on spoken word, storytelling, poetry, prose and related literary arts. Adding depth to the experience, Koshala Literature Festival introduces a unique daily talent hunt, Hunarshala, giving students from city colleges and universities a platform to showcase their literary flair.

And to ensure there’s truly something for everyone, the festival will also feature a vibrant mix of pop-up stalls and food kiosks for shopping, snacking and added fun.

As one of the festival’s premier attractions, the literature festival will present an extraordinary lineup of some of the most celebrated contemporary poets. Wasim Barelvi, Farhat Ehsas, Azhar Iqbal, Shariq Kaifi, Abhishek Shukla, Manish Shukla and Hina Rizvi Haider will craft an enchanting experience of Hindi and Urdu poetry, bringing depth, emotion and lyrical brilliance to the stage.

From the world of cinema, this edition features an impressive roster of speakers including Tigmanshu Dhulia, Rajit Kapur, Vaibhav Vishal, Muzaffar Ali, Ritesh Ranjan Sahai, Nitin Sukhija and Ajay Jain. Through their individual sessions, they will offer insights into filmmaking, storytelling, performance and the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema.

For those drawn to history, culture, mythology and global perspectives, Koshala will host eminent voices such as Akshat Gupta, Neena Verma, Nishi Pandey, Guillermo Rodríguez Martín, Ranu Unyal Pant, Reena Puri, Ashwitha Jayakumar, Arsh Ali, Somya Singh, Meera Ali, Neha Dixit, Shailvee Sharda and Chandra Shekhar Varma. Their discussions will delve into themes of diaspora, heritage, narrative traditions and contemporary discourse.

Adding a distinctly local flavour, the event will also spotlight the tales and cultural aura of Lucknow. The festival will feature a special session with RJ Prateek Bharadwaj and his panelists and musicians, a curated exploration of Lucknow’s stories and aesthetics by noted content creator Maroof Culmen, and engaging city-centric sessions led by Taqi Abbas and Arshana Azmat.

Bringing this literary celebration to a spectacular close, the Grand Finale will feature the incomparable Chugge Khan and his ensemble, The Rajasthan Josh Group; masters of rhythm, devotion and unfiltered musical energy. As they take the stage, expect the Thar Desert to come alive in Lucknow through an eruption of folk percussion, Sufi intensity and soaring Qawwali fervour. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just conclude a festival, but leaves an echo that lingers long after the night ends.

And this time around, attendees will also have the chance to join an exclusive post-event dine-in at one of the city’s premier fine-dining destinations, alongside eminent personalities from the festival. Further details about the dine-in experience can be obtained at the venue or by contacting +91-8657328198.

With a literature festival as rich and flamboyant as Koshala, this is one occasion you wouldn’t want to miss. Featuring 60+ speakers, it stands as the literary event the city has been waiting for all year. Rally your crew, secure your passes, dress up in your most romanticized ethnic fits, grab that tote, and experience the Koshala Literature Festival 2025 from November 27 to 30 — an unforgettable celebration of art, culture and creativity.

When: Nov 27, 1 pm to 9 pm | Nov 28 to 30, 11 am to 9 pm

Where: UP Darshan Park, Gomti Nagar