I can’t tell you how excited I am for the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) 2024. For someone who’s always lived and breathed books, this festival is more than just an event. It’s a chance to reconnect with the stories and ideas that have shaped my journey.
It’s a chance to soak in amazing ideas, meet inspiring people and maybe even find that little nudge I need to turn the page in my own journey. Let’s see where this takes me.
So, on December 14th and 15th, I will be swapping Delhi’s winter fog for Bengaluru’s sunny weather.
BLF isn’t just another literary festival. It’s India’s largest independent, community-funded literary gathering. Deeply rooted in Bengaluru’s culture, it also has global aims. Sadly, it clashes with the Pune Literary Festival this year or else I would’ve loved to attend both.
As someone who loves insightful nonfiction and engaging talks about our culture and world, the Bangalore Lit Fest promises a weekend worth the trip.
Why the Bangalore Lit Fest Matters
Since it began in 2012, the festival has hosted over 1,500 speakers and authors from across the world. From the very inception, BLF has managed to bring together sharp minds. I am sure this year’s congregation is going to be no different and will create a space for great dialogue.
For nonfiction lovers like me, the festival is an intellectual feast.
The 2024 schedule includes business leaders, poets, actors, policy experts, publishers and of course, authors. It is packed with sessions that go deeper than surface-level talks.
What I’m Excited About This Year
After looking over the program, I’ve made a list of sessions that match my passion for nonfiction, business and such topics.
From decision-making and AI to the mysteries of the universe, making money and policy matters, the schedule feels like a true smorgasbord. You can choose whatever you like and immerse yourself in it.
Here’s a curated list of must-attend sessions for nonfiction lovers like me at Bangalore Literature Festival 2024:
My Day 1 Highlights
- Big Bangs and Hidden Codes
Simon Singh joins Shrabonti Bagchi for a dive into the mysteries of the universe. I have read a couple of Singh’s books, especially, his book Fermat’s Last Theorem. It’s about Prof. Andrew Wiles and his eight-year journey to solve one of the hardest problems in mathematics. It will be a pleasure to hear Singh break down the fascinating intersection of science and storytelling at BLF. - Luck and Making Decisions
Ed Smith and Nandan Kamath discuss the role of chance in decision-making. Ed Smith is an ex-cricketer and an author of several books. Nandan Kamath is a leading sports lawyer. I believe their conversation will shed light on how luck intertwines with skill, strategy, and preparation in making impactful decisions. - Accelerating India’s Development
Economists Karthik Muralidharan and Manish Sabharwal discuss strategies for India’s growth. For someone who thrives on actionable insights, this session is a must-attend. - From AI Fact to AI Fiction
Authors Anil Ananthaswamy, Appupen, and Lavanya Lakshminarayan join Shrabonti Bagchi to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping our reality—and the stories we tell about it. AI is a topic that fascinates me and I’m looking forward to their perspectives.
My Day 2 Highlights
- Turning Pages, Changing Lives
Sudha Murty, a household name in India, speaks with Manasi Subramaniam about the transformative power of stories. My daughter is a huge fan of Sudha Murty. While I had hoped she could attend, unfortunately, she couldn’t make it. I plan to take a signed copy of one of her books home for her instead. - The Start-Up Code
Mukesh Bansal sits down with Mukesh Sud to share insights into what drives start-up success. This session is bound to offer valuable lessons for anyone curious about entrepreneurship. - Inc Insights: Billionaire Choices
Anupreeta Das and Harish Bhat join Pankaj Mishra for a conversation on how billionaires make pivotal decisions. If you’re interested in business and strategy, this session is not to be missed. - The Fall of Kabul: Dispatches from Chaos
Nayanima Basu and Sumeet Shetty recount the chaos surrounding the fall of Kabul. Their insights will shed light on one of the most turbulent events in recent history.
Why I’m Making the Trip
I’ll address this topic in detail in another post, but for now, I want to briefly share my intentions. Going forward, I aim to focus on literary festivals and literary destinations—areas that have always resonated deeply with me.
Literature, in all its forms, offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I believe is worth dedicating my energy to. This is just the beginning of a journey I’ve long wanted to take.
Traveling from Delhi to Bengaluru for the festival adds extra excitement. There’s something about visiting a different city with a purpose that makes the experience richer. Bengaluru’s warm vibe and the festival’s lively atmosphere promise to be the perfect escape from daily life.
What I’m Packing
My checklist is simple but essential:
- A notebook to capture pearls of wisdom from the sessions.
- A list of authors whose books I’d love to get signed (meeting the minds behind the words is magical).
- My iPhone 14 Pro to capture the salient moments of the event.
The Bigger Picture
In a world overflowing with distractions, the Bangalore Literature Festival 2024 is a rare sanctuary. It’s not just about books or authors. It’s about those ‘aha’ conversations that challenge your thinking and broaden your horizons.
For me, this journey is deeply personal. It’s about reconnecting with what I value most—literature, meaningful dialogue and the stories that shape our world. It’s a chance to hear fresh perspectives, engage with inspiring minds, and uncover insights that could fuel my next blog post or even my next big idea.
If you’re into books, deep conversations, or just curious about what makes this festival so special, trust me, it’s worth it. I’ll be sharing the behind-the-scenes moments, my favorite takeaways and maybe even a few fun surprises on my blog and social media. Stay tuned—it’s going to be amazing.
If you have attended the Bangalore Literature Festival before, please share your favorite memories in the comments below.
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