Kalinga Literary Festival Book Awards 2026 announced
Bhubaneswar: The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) has officially announced the longlist for the KLF Book Awards 2026, recognising outstanding books published in 2025 across a diverse range of literary categories. The longlist features an impressive lineup of acclaimed authors and compelling titles spanning Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Translation, Debut and Children’s Literature reflecting the richness and diversity of contemporary writing.
Among the notable longlisted titles are Mother Mary Comes to Meby Arundhati Roy, The World After Gaza by Pankaj Mishra, Indira Gandhi and the Years that Transformed India by Srinath Raghavan, The Cell and the Soul by Anand Teltumbde, Called by the Hills by Anuradha Roy, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, The Elsewhereans by Jeet Thayil, Railsong by Rahul Bhattacharya, Rising Sons by Kavery Nambisan and Great Eastern Hotel by Ruchir Joshi. The longlist also includes Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq (translated by Deepa Bhasthi), The Dark Hours of the Night by Salma (translated by G. J. V. Prasad), Nowhere People by Manoranjan Byapari (translated by Anchita Ghatak), The Gallery of Upside-Down Women by Arundhathi Subramaniam and So That You Know by Mani Rao.
Speaking on the occasion, Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and Director of the Kalinga Literary Festival, said, “The KLF Book Awards celebrate the enduring power of books and the voices that shape our cultural and intellectual imagination. By recognising exceptional literary works, we aim to honour writers who inspire millions, ignite meaningful conversations, and proudly carry forward the timeless legacy of literature.”
The shortlist for the KLF Book Awards 2026 will be announced in the second week of April 2026. The winners will be honoured on 9 May 2026 at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi, during the inaugural ceremony of the Kalinga Literary Festival Indraprastha. The event is expected to bring together eminent authors, publishers, scholars and literary enthusiasts from across the country.
The KLF Book Awards aim to celebrate excellence in contemporary literature by recognising powerful storytelling, original ideas and impactful scholarship. The awards highlight works that contribute meaningfully to literary discourse and reflect the evolving cultural and intellectual landscape.
Presented by the Kalinga Literary Festival, one of India’s leading platforms for literature and cultural dialogue, the awards continue to uphold the highest standards of literary excellence. The longlisted titles have been carefully selected by eminent juries comprising distinguished writers, scholars, and literary experts, reflecting a vibrant spectrum of voices, themes, and perspectives in contemporary writing.
