CELEBRATING WORDS

The sixth edition of the Dehradun Literature Festival promises a convergence of literature, cinema and societal issues

- Nikhil Sardana

The Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF), founded by Samraant Virmani, offers a refreshing space for literary and cultural dialogue in a tech-driven world. Inspired by a personal moment when Virmani's daughter mistook a book's illustration for a touchscreen, the festival was conceived as a "meaningful pause" from technology.

Mentored by Ruskin Bond, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and director Imtiaz Ali, DDLF has grown to become a significant cultural event. This year's edition (November 8-10, 2024; Doon International School) brings together over 70 renowned figures, including filmmaker Anupama Chopra, author Jerry Pinto, Bollywood icon Shabana Azmi, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, chef Saransh Goila and historian William Dalrymple.