Chennai: The Hindu Lit For Life, one of India’s most influential and thought-provoking literature festivals, is set to return to Chennai for its 13th edition on January 17 and 18, 2026, at the Lady Andal School premises. Known for its sharp curation and contemporary relevance, the festival continues to explore how literature shapes ideas, culture, creativity, and everyday conversations far beyond the written word.
The 2026 edition will bring together over 100 distinguished voices from India and across the world, spanning writers, thinkers, journalists, economists, historians, and cultural commentators. Across more than 50 sessions, conversations, and workshops, the festival promises an immersive experience that reflects literature in its many lived forms.
This year’s line-up features acclaimed names such as Perumal Murugan, Banu Mushtaq, Shobhaa De, Kiran Desai, and Satoshi Yagisawa, alongside global and Indian thought leaders including A.C. Grayling, Shashi Tharoor, Arvind Subramanian, and Laura Spinney. Discussions will traverse themes ranging from philosophy, democracy, and economics to science, history, and cross-cultural storytelling.
Extending its footprint beyond the two-day festival, Lit For Life 2026 has already engaged audiences through Lit For Life Dialogues and Lit For Life Unplugged held in November and December 2025. These initiatives brought literary conversations into cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with speakers including Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Sanjaya Baru, Devina Mehra, Manu Joseph, Manu Pillai, Neha Dixit, and Arundhati Ghosh, addressing themes of health, wealth, power, history, identity, and contemporary relationships. Lit For Life Unplugged further reimagined engagement by hosting sessions in informal settings such as bookstores and pubs.
Commenting on the festival’s ethos, Nirmala Lakshman, Curator, The Hindu Lit For Life and Chairperson, The Hindu Group, said, “The festival continues to reiterate that literature can go beyond the pages to light up one’s life. As always, we have a scintillating line-up of speakers, whose writing and thoughts have inspired many. The festival offers everyone – speakers and the audience – a change to engage and exchange ideas and experiences not just through the sessions and workshops but also through direct engagement.”
In the lead-up to the main festival, on-ground initiatives across Chennai will further deepen community participation. These include a mobile library travelling across the city, storytelling sessions in government and private schools, and interactive formats such as treasure hunts, quizzes, and contests.
Sharing the broader vision for the festival, Suresh Balakrishna, Chief Revenue Officer, The Hindu Group, said, “Lit For Life has always been more than a festival; it is a cultural platform that brings together ideas, audiences, and partners in meaningful ways. The theme ‘Love Every Bit of Lit’ reflects our belief that literature lives everywhere—in culture, public discourse, and everyday life. We are delighted to see Lit For Life grow beyond two days into a year-round engagement that creates value for communities, partners, and the larger ecosystem.”
The Hindu Lit For Life 2026 continues to strengthen its position at the intersection of literature, society, culture, and commerce, offering brands, institutions, and communities a distinctive opportunity to engage with informed and discerning audiences.
The festival is presented by the all-new Kia Seltos and is held in association with Christ University, NITTE, Orchids – The International School, and Hindustan Group of Institutions. Associate partners include SBI, IndianOil, IOB, Akshayakalpa, United India, IBS, Chennai Port Authority, and Kamarajar Port Limited. Citizen is the official timekeeping partner, DBS the regional partner, Bihar Tourism the tourism partner, and Crossword the bookstore partner.
For the detailed agenda, speaker line-up, and registration, visit thehindu.com/lit-for-life.
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