A full access festival pass to immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience, featuring three days of cultural performances, inspiring discussions, and engaging sessions with world-renowned authors.
A half day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
A full day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Ameena Hussein in conversation with Savithri Rodrigo
A journey through Ameena Hussain’s dual contributions to Sri Lankan literature as both a novelist and a non-fiction writer. Known for capturing the texture of Sri Lankan life, Ameena’s works provide a unique viewpoint on themes such as cultural identity, gender, and the everyday lives of Sri Lankan Muslims.
Kiran Desai in conversation with Ashok Ferrey
Explore the profound role of landscapes—both literal and metaphorical—in Kiran Desai’s storytelling. Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard, where the orchard serves as a whimsical backdrop for themes of tradition, solitude, and rebellion; The Inheritance of Loss, where the mountainous terrain of Kalimpong amplifies themes of cultural dislocation and identity.
Manu S Pillai in conversation with Josephine Quinn
Explore the influential yet often-overlooked roles of women in history—as poets, warriors, and courtesans—through the lens of Manu S Pillai’s works, including The Ivory Throne, The Courtesan, the Mahatma and the Italian Brahmin, Rebel Sultans, and False Allies.
Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Sasanka Perera in conversation with Malinda Seneviratne
Take you deep into the world of Sri Lankan storytelling—where Tamil and Sinhala intertwine, cultures blend, and every narrative spans multiple languages. Expect fresh insights, surprising perspectives, and a fascinating exploration of how these rich stories come to life across borders and traditions.
Arati Kumar-Rao in conversation with Mihiri Wikramanayake
Ever wondered what it's like to camp out on a disappearing river island or track the footsteps of rare animals in the forest at dawn? A journey off-the-beaten-path with Arati Kumar-Rao into South Asia's wildest, most mysterious corners - landscapes most people never even know exist, with captivating visuals, unexpected twists, and tales of misadventures.
A half day pass to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Diana R Chambers in conversation with Ameena Hussein
Diana R Chambers dishes out the untold story of culinary icon Julia Child’s secret past as a World War II spy. In The Secret War of Julia Child, Chambers whisks readers away on a thrilling journey of espionage and intrigue, revealing how Child’s undercover exploits and love of foreign flavours helped shape her remarkable life.
Graeme Simsion, Anne Buist in conversation with Ashok Ferrey
How can humour unexpectedly surface in darker subjects like crime and mental health, adding a dash of spice to storytelling? A playful mixing of genres—Graeme with his delightful blend of humour and romance, and Anne with her gripping psychological thrillers.
Amit Varma in conversation with Shanaka Amarasinghe
Amit Varma shares his experiences as a successful podcaster and journalist, focusing on how to create long-form content that encourages critical thinking and attracts intellectual audiences. He could discuss how to choose topics, prepare for interviews, and manage the balance between accessibility and depth.
Josephine Quinn in conversation with Pramod Kumar KG
Explore the interplay of mythology, religion, and commerce, to draw parallels between Mediterranean myths and South Asian legends, showing how these narratives fostered commerce and diplomatic ties across regions.
Suli Breaks
Join Suli Breaks for an electrifying session that challenges societal norms and ignites thought-provoking dialogue. Experience the power of poetry as he weaves personal narratives with universal truths, inspiring audiences to reflect and engage.
A full day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
A half day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Razeen Sally in conversation with Bhavani Fonseka
A thoughtful discussion that highlights the key themes from Razeen Sally's travel memoir, Return to Sri Lanka. This session will explore how Sally's journeys illuminate broader themes of national recovery and the crucial role of individual experiences in shaping a larger narrative.
William Dalrymple, introduced by Angeline Ondaatjie
An engaging session that uncovers the vibrant interplay between history and modern life. Discover how ancient traditions and historical events continue to shape the people, festivals, and places featured in Dalrymple's The Golden Road. Experience the enduring legacy of the past as we delve into its influence on contemporary culture.
Mihiri Wikramanayake, Sunela Jayawardane in conversation with Arati Kumar-Rao
Mihiri Wickramanayake and Sunela Jayawardane share hilarious mishaps, unexpected encounters, and the thrill of capturing journeys on paper. With tales that range from the inspiring to the downright comical, they’ll dive into the joys and quirks of transforming travel experiences into vivid stories.
Shrayana Bhattacharya in conversation with Murtaza Jafferjee
Delve into Shrayana Bhattacharya’s Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh, highlighting how women navigate desires through fandom, reflecting broader themes of economic freedom, intimacy and agency.
Ratna Pathak Shah in conversation with Jerry Pinto
Celebrating the extraordinary talent of Ratna Pathak Shah with a focus on some of her iconic roles in Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai, Dhak Dhak, Happy Family, and Lipstick Under My Burkha—her thought process in choosing characters and whether she reflects on her past roles while selecting new ones.
Suli Breaks in conversation with Dinara Punchihewa
Inspired by Suli’s Why I Hate School but Love Education, an exploration of the limitations of traditional schooling and how creative forms of education—like poetry and media—can foster critical thinking and personal growth.
A half day pass to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Kiran Desai, Lal Medawattegedara in conversation with Amit Varma
Lal Medawattegedara and Kiran Desai engage in a dynamic conversation exploring the power of language and its ethical responsibilities.
Andrew Sean Greer in conversation with Molly Roden Winter
Andrew Sean Greer explores the concept of an unconventional hero in literature, with a focus on Arthur Less as an unconventional protagonist. A reflection on the role of LGBTQ+ stories in modern literature, and how Less helped bring queer narratives into the mainstream.
Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin Shah, Dinara Punchihewa, Nimmi Harasgama, Rehan Mudannayake, Ruwanthie de Chickera
This roundtable brings acclaimed actors and theatre artists together to explore the darker side of
cinema and theatre.
Pranay Lal in conversation with Vinod Malwatte
Explore the intricate interplay between nature and human history in the Indian subcontinent, drawing insights from Pranay Lal’s Invisible Empire.
Neil MacGregor in conversation with Pramod Kumar KG
Explore Neil MacGregor's distinguished career as a curator and historian that has revolutionised the museum landscape worldwide. His leadership of major British and European institutions has involved various literary projects that have shaped a unique approach to historical storytelling.
Sophie Mackintosh in conversation with Sukanya Wignaraja
Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water Cure and Cursed Bread, explores her powerful and unsettling works that dissect the human psyche. From feminist dystopia of The Water Cure, where isolation and survival blur, to the haunting tale of obsession and desire in Cursed Beard, Sophie reveals how she crafts worlds where control, power, and consequences collide.
A half day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
A full day pass to enjoy from cultural performance to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Sujit Sivasundaram, Shamara Wettimuny in conversation with Judith Perera
Sujit Sivasundaram and Shamara Wettimuny come together to explore how Sri Lanka’s rich and complex history resonates globally while remaining uniquely local. Drawing on Sujit’s insights into the Indian Ocean as a stage for revolutionary ideas, the discussion delves into the historical role of dissent and resistance.
Naseeruddin Shah in conversation with Rehan Mudannayake
Naseeruddin Shah will reflect on his experience working with legends of the past and the rising stars of today, drawing from insights shared in his book And Then One Day: A Memoir. Shah will discuss how acting techniques, storytelling, and the industry itself have transformed across generations.
Max Czollek in conversation with Savithri Rodrigo
Max Czollek presents his vision for "radical diversity" as an alternative to the traditional politics of tolerance and assimilation. Drawing on his critiques of post-WWII German cultural policies, Czollek argues for a future where diversity is embraced not as an exception but as a fundamental principle, examining how radical diversity reshapes the way we view citizenship, culture, and politics, pushing for a more inclusive and multifaceted societal structure that transcends binary notions of identity.
Ramya Jirasinghe, Vihanga Perera in conversation with Sukanya Wignaraja
Ramya Jirasinghe and Vihanga Perera come together for a powerful conversation on the transformative role of poetry in healing and understanding. Ramya will explore themes of love, loss, and reconciliation in post-war Sri Lanka, drawing from her collection Love Poems from a Frangipani Garden, while Vihanga will share how real-life experiences shape his topical, poignant poetry.
Shawn Otto in conversation with Chevaan Daniel
Shawn Otto explores the roles of media, education, and social networks in shaping public perception and learning how to counteract misinformation. The session will also focus on understanding how to analyse scientific claims, emphasising the importance of scepticism and the cultivation of a questioning mindset in a world rife with conflicting information.
Molly Roden Winter in conversation with Shrayana Bhattacharya
An unfiltered discussion about the ethics and emotional realities of open marriages, based on Winter’s provocative memoir More: A Memoir of Open Marriage. How do you handle jealousy when love is shared across multiple partners? How do transparency and communication become the foundations of trust?
A half day pass to join the discussion with world renowned authors
Razeen Sally, Murtaza Jafferjee, Nisthar Cassim in conversation with Rehana Thowfeek
This session will critically examine the intricate relationship between political dynamics and trade policy decisions in Sri Lanka. Attendees will explore how political stability, governance, and policy frameworks influence trade agreements and economic strategies.
Jerry Pinto in conversation with Graeme Simsion
Shining a light on Jerry Pinto’s creative genius across original writing, translations, and biographies and children’s literature. From the emotional depth of Em and The Big Hoom to the coming-of-age themes in The Education of Yuri, and his translations of Cobalt Blue and Baluta, the discussion will uncover Pinto’s creative process.
Pramod Kumar KG in conversation with Sujit Sivasundaram
Explore South Asia’s rich, unconventional archives—oral stories, cultural expressions, and everyday sayings—that go beyond paper trails. Pramod Kumar KG dives into the importance of these overlooked memories and the urgent need to preserve them. The discussion also tackles the global movement to return cultural artefacts, highlighting their deep ties to community identity and history.
Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin Shah
Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah embark on a whimsical journey through Vikram Seth’s iconic poem The Elephant and the Tragopan, infusing their theatrical prowess with a splash of humour and creativity.
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