Parichaya National Literary Festival: The Mahakumbha of Indian Poets
By - Dr. Sonali Sahu
The 4th Parichaya National Literary Festival (P.N.L.F) stands as a shining example of cultural harmony and literary unity, to be held on the 15th and 16th of November 2025 at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar. Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra, Chairperson of Parichaya, and Mr. Priyadarshi Mishra, Chairperson of Prayas, this grand festival continues to unite poets and writers from every corner of the nation. At a time when linguistic differences often divide societies, Parichaya boldly proves that literature transcends all boundaries. Here, poetry becomes the voice of unity, imagination, and peace. Their vision and tireless efforts have truly transformed Parichaya into a national confluence where words create bridges, not barriers.
At the heart of this inspiring journey lies the invaluable guidance of Dr. Phani Mohanty, Chief Advisor of the Parichaya National Literary Festival and Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award-winning poet, whose wisdom and vision continue to enrich the literary spirit of Parichaya. His mentorship has infused the festival with depth, inclusivity, and a strong sense of purpose — to celebrate Indian literature as one collective soul expressed through many tongues. His contribution to shaping the festival’s ethos has been instrumental in making Parichaya a name synonymous with excellence and creative enlightenment.
This year, the festival will once again be graced by Dr. K. Sreenivas Rao, Secretary, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi, who will honour the occasion as the Chief Guest. The two-day celebration will also feature an eminent lineup of distinguished personalities including Anis Uz Zaman, National Poet of Assamese Language; Mrs. Paramita Satpathy, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer; Mr. Amarendra Khatua, renowned tri-lingual poet; Prof. Basant Kumar Panda, eminent writer and former Project Director, Odia Classical Language; Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer; Prof. Soubhagya Mishra, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer; Padmashree Prof. Debi Prasanna Pattnaik, eminent linguist; and Poet Amrit Ruturaj, Collector, Khurdha. Their collective presence will elevate the intellectual, cultural, and linguistic discourse of the event, reflecting the true diversity of India’s literary heritage.
The Parichaya National Literary Festival (P.N.L.F) has a glorious legacy that began with its first edition at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata, inaugurated by Dr. K. Sreenivas Rao, Secretary, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi, and attended by poets representing 15 Indian languages. The second edition was hosted in Bhubaneswar with the gracious presence of Shri Madhav Kaushik, President, and Dr. K. Sreenivas Rao, Secretary, Kendriya Sahitya Akademi. The third edition was graced by Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Hon’ble MP, Bhubaneswar, and renowned Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Awardee Sri Rajendra Kishore Panda, whose presence added immense value to the celebration of words and wisdom. Over the years, the P.N.L.F has evolved into a Mahakumbha of Indian Poets — a sacred confluence of creative minds through poetry, translation, and dialogue.
This year’s edition will host approximately 200 poets and writers representing 28 languages, including several tribal languages. Poetry recitations will be held in mother tongues, celebrating the melody of regional voices. A special highlight will be the release of translated books, a tradition Parichaya has proudly upheld for the last four years, reaffirming its commitment to promoting cross-lingual exchange and multilingual creativity. The special issue of Parichaya will also be released, showcasing the festival’s ongoing mission to strengthen cultural unity and uphold the radiant, multilingual fabric of Indian literature.
The success of this grand literary celebration is also a result of the dedication and teamwork of our Executive Committee Members — Mr. Saroj Mallick, Secretary, Parichaya; Er. Saroj Mahapatra; Er. Jaminikant Das; and Dr. Sarbeswar Satpathy. Their unwavering support, meticulous coordination, and passion for literature have been vital in shaping the festival’s growing stature and ensuring its seamless execution year after year.
