Dehradun Literature Festival
Dehradun Literature Festival is an annual celebration of literature, culture and art in the picturesque city of Dehradun, made luminous by its enviable literary, educational and natural heritage. The festival brings together authors, poets, readers, critics, journalists, cultural icons, and artists from diverse domains. It aims to foster a love of the written word while encouraging discussions on relevant topics of the day.
It envisions a literary and intellectual exchange between literary enthusiasts in the Doon Valley and notable veterans in literature, art, and culture. With Dehradun Literature Festival 2026, we are entering our 8th edition and celebrating the legacy of all those who continue to leave an indelible mark on our hearts with their work. With a range of engaging conversations, book discussions, musical evenings, theatre performances, and workshops, DDLF is ready to host speakers, performers, writers and attendees from across the world.
Notably, it is one of the literature festivals in India that Condé Nast Traveller India covered in its January 2024 issue. Additionally, the festival’s visionary founder, Mr Samraant Virmani, was prominently featured in Forbes magazine, recognised for his transformative leadership and significant contributions to the literary landscape through the Dehradun Literature Festival.
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Dehradun Literature Festival is an annual celebration of literature, culture and art in the picturesque city of Dehradun, made luminous by its enviable literary, educational and natural heritage. The festival brings together authors, poets, readers, critics, journalists, cultural icons, and artists from diverse domains. It aims to foster a love of the written word while encouraging discussions on relevant topics of the day.
It envisions a literary and intellectual exchange between literary enthusiasts in the Doon Valley and notable veterans in literature, art, and culture. With Dehradun Literature Festival 2026, we are entering our 8th edition and celebrating the legacy of all those who continue to leave an indelible mark on our hearts with their work. With a range of engaging conversations, book discussions, musical evenings, theatre performances, and workshops, DDLF is ready to host speakers, performers, writers and attendees from across the world.
Notably, it is one of the literature festivals in India that Condé Nast Traveller India covered in its January 2024 issue. Additionally, the festival’s visionary founder, Mr Samraant Virmani, was prominently featured in Forbes magazine, recognised for his transformative leadership and significant contributions to the literary landscape through the Dehradun Literature Festival.
LITERARY AWARD
2025
RUSKIN BOND
IRON LADY OF THE HILLS AWARD2025
SHIVANI
GUARDIANS OF HIMALAYAS
AWARD2025
Ruskin Bond Literary Awards
Each year, the festival hosts the Ruskin Bond Literary Awards, a writing contest dedicated to our festival patron, Mr Ruskin Bond. The contest has two categories: Budding Writers (under 18) and Promising Writers (18 and older). Participants are invited to submit an original prose entry of up to 2,000 words. We strongly discourage the use of AI in writing entries and encourage writers to submit original pieces.
Every submission is reviewed meticulously by our team, with the final round of selection made by Mr Ruskin Bond himself.
The Ruskin Bond Awards provide writers of all ages with an opportunity to gain recognition on a platform that celebrates the joy of reading, writing, and storytelling. Participants have the unique chance to be evaluated by Mr Ruskin Bond, a beloved master storyteller cherished by readers of all ages. This awards program serves as a stage for participants to be acknowledged, celebrated, and encouraged in their creative journeys. All winners and runners-up are honoured at the festival.
CONTESTS
Shivani - Iron Lady of the Hills Award
The Shivani - Iron Lady of the Hills Award was established by the Dehradun Literature Festival to honour and recognise women writers who elevate stories about women through their literary efforts. This award is presented annually to female authors who explore themes of feminism, empowerment, and equality in their writing.
The award is named after the esteemed Gaura Pant, a Padma Shri-winning Hindi writer celebrated for her contributions to Indian folk arts and literature. Its purpose is to acknowledge literary works that have a lasting impact and demonstrate extensive research or storytelling.
The award specifically aims to highlight the feminine experience within Indian society, promoting a deeper understanding of women's roles and narratives in our cultural landscape.
Shivani - Iron Lady of the Hills Award
The Shivani - Iron Lady of the Hills Award was established by the Dehradun Literature Festival to honour and recognise women writers who elevate stories about women through their literary efforts. This award is presented annually to female authors who explore themes of feminism, empowerment, and equality in their writing.
The award is named after the esteemed Gaura Pant, a Padma Shri-winning Hindi writer celebrated for her contributions to Indian folk arts and literature. Its purpose is to acknowledge literary works that have a lasting impact and demonstrate extensive research or storytelling.
The award specifically aims to highlight the feminine experience within Indian society, promoting a deeper understanding of women's roles and narratives in our cultural landscape.
Guardians of the Himalayas Award
The Guardians of the Himalayas Award is a prestigious honour established by the Dehradun Literature Festival to recognise individuals and organisations dedicated to preserving the essence of our environment. This award celebrates those whose efforts embody the spirit of guardianship toward the natural world, highlighting the crucial balance between progress and preservation.
Each year, the award is presented at our festival, providing a platform to honour environmental conservation advocates. By celebrating their dedication, we aim to inspire unity and compassion among people globally, urging everyone to come together for the greater cause of environmental preservation. Join us in recognising those who tirelessly dedicate their lives to safeguarding our planet.
Featuring Authors & Thinkers
DEHRADUN LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2026
Vishal Bhardwaj
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Rekha Bhardwaj
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Pushkar Singh Dhami
Imtiaz Ali
Every year, we host a diverse range of speakers from various fields, including music, art, literature, cinema, and theatre. To date, we have welcomed over 100 speakers from around the globe for specially curated sessions and talks. Our conversations explore a wide array of topics, including literature, art, theatre, sports, education, fashion, wellness, technology, music, environmental sustainability, food, and much more. Through these engaging discussions, we aim to inspire and enrich our community's appreciation for literature, music and art.
SAVE YOUR SPOT
DEHRADUN
LITRERATURE FESTIVAL
NOV 27 - 29, 2026
Dehradun Literature Festival is an annual celebration of literature, culture, and art in the historic city of Dehradun. Enriched by its literary, educational, and natural heritage, the festival brings together authors, poets, readers, critics, journalists, cultural icons, and artists. It nurtures a love for the written word while fostering meaningful conversations on the pressing issues of our time.
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