The 14th edition of The Hindu Lit For Life Festival 2026 will be held on January 17 and 18, 2026, at the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, located within the Music Academy complex in Chennai. Organised by The Hindu Group, the annual literary festival continues its long-standing tradition of bringing together leading writers, thinkers, journalists, artists and public intellectuals for conversations on literature, culture, politics and contemporary society.

Over the years, Lit For Life has established itself as one of India’s most respected literary platforms, known for its focus on ideas, public dialogue and intellectual engagement rather than purely commercial book promotion. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s 14th year, reinforcing its position as a key fixture on India’s cultural calendar.

About the Festival

The Hindu Lit For Life was launched in 2013 as a space for meaningful literary and cultural conversations. Curated and hosted by The Hindu, the festival reflects the publication’s editorial ethos of informed debate, critical thinking and public interest journalism. Each year, the festival brings together voices from diverse fields — literature, politics, cinema, history, journalism, science and the arts — encouraging dialogue across disciplines and perspectives.

The Chennai edition has traditionally been a central pillar of the festival, drawing audiences ranging from students and academics to avid readers and cultural practitioners.

Dates, Venue and Format

• Event: The Hindu Lit For Life 2026
• Edition: 14th
• Dates: January 17–18, 2026
• Venue: Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Music Academy, Chennai
• Organiser: The Hindu Group

The festival will feature panel discussions, author interactions, keynote conversations, poetry readings and thematic sessions, spread across two full days. Sessions are designed to encourage audience participation, with ample scope for questions and discussion.

Themes and Focus Areas

Lit For Life 2026 will focus on the evolving role of literature and ideas in a rapidly changing world. Discussions will span themes such as:

• Literature and democracy
• Media, truth and public trust
• Writing across languages and cultures
• Memory, history and identity
• Gender, society and representation
• The intersection of literature, cinema and popular culture

The festival’s programming aims to connect literary discourse with real-world concerns, making it relevant not only to writers and scholars but also to a wider public audience.

Speakers and Participants

As in previous years, the 2026 edition is expected to feature a diverse lineup of prominent Indian and international writers, journalists, academics and cultural figures. The Hindu traditionally curates sessions that bring together contrasting viewpoints, encouraging nuanced debate rather than consensus-driven discussion.

Detailed speaker line-ups and session schedules are released closer to the event.

Why Lit For Life Matters

At a time when public discourse is increasingly fragmented, The Hindu Lit For Life serves as an important forum for thoughtful, evidence-based conversations. The festival provides space for long-form discussion, critical engagement and intellectual exchange — values that are often underrepresented in fast-paced digital media environments.

By hosting the festival in Chennai, a city with a deep literary and cultural legacy, The Hindu reinforces the importance of regional cultural hubs in shaping national conversations.

Public Engagement and Accessibility

The festival is open to the public, with entry passes available through official channels. Over the years, Lit For Life has attracted a wide demographic — from college students and first-time readers to senior academics and cultural professionals — making it one of the more inclusive literary events in the country.

Select sessions are also typically covered extensively by The Hindu, ensuring wider access through news reports, interviews and digital content.

Looking Ahead

As The Hindu Lit For Life enters its 14th edition, it continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core mission — fostering informed dialogue through literature and ideas. The 2026 edition is expected to further strengthen the festival’s role as a space where literature engages directly with the social, political and cultural questions of the present.