Darjeeling’s literary voices are set to get a dedicated festival for the first time, with a newly formed society planning an annual gathering of writers, publishers and readers along with year-round programmes to take literature beyond the town and into rural communities.
The inaugural edition of the Darjeeling Literature Festival is scheduled for November 2027. Its organisers hope the initiative will provide a sustained platform for the hills’ storytelling traditions, encourage young writers and bring regional voices into wider literary conversations.
“We are a society in the making, and this is the first time we are holding a literature festival in Darjeeling. It is our way of showing respect for literature, which we feel has not received due attention,” said Vaani M. Sharma, president of the Darjeeling Literature Festival Society.
“This will also encourage the younger generation and provide them with opportunities, which we have taken up as a challenge.”
The society introduced its plans at a curtain raiser at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club on Sunday, bringing together authors, scholars, journalists and publishing professionals. However, the organisers said their ambition extended beyond holding an annual event.
“Our society is not limited to organizing events such as literature festivals. We want to bring reforms through the influence of literature,” said Anirban Dutta, the society’s chief convener. “The festival
will be a regular feature
on our calendar, but we
will also organise programmes in rural areas to connect with people at the grassroots level.”
Proposed activities include interactive workshops, educational initiatives, curated nature trails, group travel and heritage preservation programmes, connecting the region’s landscape with its literary and cultural traditions.
Dr GS Yonzone, an educator and a Padma Shri recipient, also unveiled the festival’s logo. “It is a matter of immense pride and joy to witness the birth of a dedicated literary movement in our hills,” said Yonzone.
The organisers stressed the need for an inclusive institution rooted in Darjeeling but open to international exchanges.
“Our purpose is not to commercialise literature, but to build an inclusive literary institution that champions authentic voices and the conversations our region needs,” Sharma said.
Sunday’s discussions examined both the need to create spaces for literature and the challenges of making a living through writing and publishing.
Participants included author Chuden Kabimo, scholar Edu Sherpa, Rachna Books publisher Raman Shresta, editor Vatsal Verma and author Prabha Rai. Dr Satyadeep Chhetri, author of Gorkhaland Diaries, and Niyogi Books CEO Trisha De Niyogi moderated the two panels.