By: Chahat Sharma
There are certain festivals that one does not just attend, but rather experiences. Dehradun Literature Festival was one of the latter. Held from 14th to 16th November 2025 at Doon International School, it was a festival that brought together authors, performers, filmmakers, thought leaders, and audiences in a powerful celebration of ideas and creativity.
Team ACF joined the celebrations on the 15th and 16th of November. We arrived at a weather that perfectly complemented the literary gathering. A cool mountain breeze, gentle winter sun, and the unmistakable Doon calm made everything around feel more poetic.
The school campus had transformed into a setup for a cultural fair. Rows of colorful stalls offered everything from handcrafted clothes, jewelry, books, prints, and of course, coffee, along with an array of local delicacies. One particularly eye-catching stall featured Dehradun’s own flowers preserved in resin, crafted into delicate pendants and earrings, pieces of the valley you could take home. The aroma of ginger tea, hot coffee, and fresh bakery treats drifted across the lawns, completing the festival’s sensory tapestry.
Across the grounds, two vibrant stages hosted conversations, performances, and workshops, each session buzzing with its own energy. What followed across our two days felt like a beautifully curated journey through music, mythology, history, cinema, and identity.
Stills from the session ‘Mic Check’
Day 1 for Team ACF – 15th November
Our first session was the electrifying “Mic Check – Indie Musicians Roundtable.” Independent artists Osho Jain, Vedi Sinha, Buland Himalay, and Nikhil Saklani, in conversation with RJ Sapna, spoke candidly about their creative journeys, the evolving indie scene, and the magic of making music outside mainstream rules. The candor, humor, and shared experiences brought the audience into the emotional architecture of indie artistry.
The festival then shifted to a deeply reflective literary note. In “Reclaiming Sita’s Narrative – Trin Dhari Ot,” author Anamika joined Nishtha Gautam and Prashant Kochhar to unravel the philosophical and feminist layers of her work. The session highlighted characters often sidelined or forgotten in mainstream readings of the Ramayana, offering the audience a chance to rediscover the epic in a more inclusive light. Prashant Kochhar’s framing of the story as a “Sitayan” or the story of Sita resonated strongly. Anamika spoke beautifully about themes of sisterhood, friendship, and feminine power, emphasising how her writing reclaims a space for women whose narratives have been overshadowed for centuries. The session concluded with the launch of the English translation, Sita’s Veil, marking a significant moment for readers eager to access the work more widely.
Next, Historian Sam Dalrymple then guided audiences through “From Fracture to Continuum,” a powerful session tracing the emotional and political legacies of Partition. His exploration of how fragmented histories continue to shape modern identity was both sobering and illuminating, while it also reminded us that memory, trauma, and nationhood are deeply intertwined.
Historian Sam Dalrymple
In the next session, acclaimed filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj was in conversation with ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda. Together, they held the audience spellbound. The session was a seamless blend of shayari, insights into the cinematic craft, and reflections on how poetry becomes melody. It felt intimate, almost like being invited into the private creative world of one of India’s most celebrated artists.
The mood swung joyously as legendary artists Rekha Bhardwaj and Malini Awasthi took the stage. Their session was not just a conversation; it was a full-bodied celebration of India’s folk music traditions. Between discussions, both singers broke into song, their powerful voices flowing across the venue. People swayed, laughed, clapped, and some even danced, a rare moment where every generation in the audience found itself united in rhythm.
Rekha Bhardwaj and Malani Awasthi
The Alternate Act – Cinematic Storytelling with a Purpose, moderated by Lachmi Deb Roy, brought together Nandita Das, Adil Hussain, and Leena Yadav. The three creative forces known for cinema with conscience. They discussed storytelling as activism, the responsibility of the filmmaker, and how cinema becomes a place where society confronts its truths. Their conversation was grounded, honest, and deeply inspiring.
In frame (left to right): Director of DDLF – Saumya Kulshreshtha, Adil Hussain, Lachmi Deb Roy, Vishal Bhardwaj, Nandita Das, and Leena Yadav
The final session of the day featured acclaimed actor Shefali Shah, and being in her presence was nothing short of mesmerizing. Her authenticity and grace made it clear why she has become one of India’s most powerful screen voices.
Our Day 1 concluded with “From the Himalayas, With Love”, featuring soulful live performances by Osho Jain, Buland Himalay, and Vedi Sinha, whose heartfelt music brought the day to a poetic and powerful close.
The musical conclusion of ACF’s Day 1 at DDLF 2025
Day 2 for Team ACF – 16th November
On the final day, we attended some truly memorable sessions. One of the highlights, “Picture Abhi Baaki Hai,” brought actors Prit Kamani, Shubhi Mehta, and Chandan Roy together to share stories from their creative journeys, pouring out the stories behind their beginnings, challenges, aspirations, and the moments that shaped them. The audience was filled with people eager to listen, and the session did not disappoint.
Left to right: Chandan Roy, Shubhi Mehta, and Prit Kamani
A particularly touching moment came when a little girl from the audience came forward with a diary full of Panchayat images, an emotional tribute to Chandan Roy’s character from the show. She was invited on stage, where she received an autograph from the actor. The audience filled with applause and warm smiles. It was a reminder of the magic that stories create, and why festivals like DDLF are so important. They build bridges between creators and their audiences, making room for moments that stay with us long after the lights fade.
Later in the evening came “At the Intersection of Cinema and Society” with the incredible Nandita Das. Her session invited the audience into a deep, thoughtful exploration of cinema’s relationship with society, and how films reflect us, challenge us, and sometimes even reshape our collective consciousness. It was a session that left everyone thinking, questioning, and appreciating the quiet power of art even more.
Nandita Das in conversation with Bhawana Somaaya
The festival concluded with a resounding and unforgettable finale. A soul-stirring performance by the legendary Usha Uthup. With her powerful voice, magnetic energy, and timeless charm, she had the entire audience on their feet. Beginning with “Skyfire” and ending with “Darling,” Usha ma’am carried the crowd into a joyous trance. People sang along, danced, and celebrated every note. It was the perfect end to a festival that was all about joy, unity, and unfiltered human connection. Truly unforgettable.
Usha Uthup
Why Festivals Like DDLF Matter
In a world that is becoming increasingly digital and distracted, festivals like the Dehradun Literature Festival create rare spaces where people come together to listen, learn, share, and belong. They nourish the creative spirit, bring important conversations to the forefront, inspire the next generation, and remind us that stories, whether spoken, sung, or performed, all have the power to heal, unite, and move us.
At ACF, we are already excited for the next edition of DDLF. This festival is more than a calendar event; it has become a cultural moment, a celebration of ideas, and a testament to the power of community. And we cannot wait to witness what the next chapter holds.
