Another major highlight, Kochi Literature Festival, will be inaugurated by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan on November 6. The day will also feature a conversation with former bureaucrat and poet K Jayakumar, and an interactive film session with director Lal Jose and sound engineer M R Rajakrishnan.

On 7 November, Pathinettu June – Oru Krantiyathra, the Malayalam translation of the noted Konkani work Athara June Ek Kranthiyatra by freedom fighter and writer Laxmidas Borkar, will be released.

“The session will be inaugurated by Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, making the festival a unique event that will mark the presence of three Governors,” informs E N Nandakumar.

On the same day, Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu will present the Balamani Amma Award to M M Basheer, acclaimed literary critic and former head of the Malayalam department at the University of Calicut.

Basheer, who has authored over 50 works including poetry and short stories, will be honoured for his significant contribution to Malayalam literature. The evening will conclude with a musical performance and a tribute to M T Vasudevan Nair.

The concluding days will feature lively discussions on education, civil service, and the centenary of the communist movement in India. The festival will draw to a close on November 10 with the Madambu Kunjukuttan Puraskara Sabha and the Bahubhasha Sahithyakara Sangamam, which will bring together writers.

At a Glance
When: November 1 to 10
Venue: Ernakulathappan Ground, Kochi
Timings: 10 am to 8.30 pm.
Highlights: Book releases, cultural evenings, literary seminars, workshops, awards, and tributes
Inauguration: 11 am, November 1 — by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel & West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose
Kochi Literature Festival: November 6 to 10, inauguration by Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Closing Ceremony: November 10 — Madambu Kunjukuttan Puraskara Sabha and multilingual literary meet