The Easwari School of Liberal Arts, welcomed writers, poets and artists from across the country on the inaugural day of the 1st Amaravati Literature Festival (ALF) 2025 with the tagline Kotha Nagaram, Kotha Sravalu (New City, New Voices). Sahitya Akademi Award Winning Telugu author and poet Volga (P Lalita Kumari) was the Guest of Honour and launched the three-day literature festival celebrating the many voices, ideas, identities and dialogues across literature.
Prof. Vishnupad, Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts, welcomed all participants emphasising that ALF will give Amaravati its first voice and literary heartbeat. He stated, “Literature provides you with intellectual ability, emotional stability and an ethical orientation to find your own voice. Through ALF we celebrate every voice, every story that shapes society and builds a nation.”
In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor (I/C), Prof. Ch Satish highlighted the significance of literature. He remarked, “History will talk about facts – but what people felt can only be explained through literature. Only a combination of history and literature can describe the culture of the past.” He also shed light on the history of Telugu Literature touching on the Telugu anthology of poems Maha Prasthanam by renowned poet Sri Sri.
The fest hosted an enlightening conversation with Padma Shri Prof. G N Devy, literary critic, on “Childhood, Multilingualism, and the Living Spirit of Language.” With participation from acclaimed authors, poets, critics, like P Lalitha Kumari (Volga), P Sathyavathi, Millo Ankha, Manisha Sobhrajani, Kadali Sathyanārāyaṇa: Pavan Santhosh, Ramesh Karthik Nayak, Canato Jimo, Jerry Pinto, Milee Ashwarya, and Devendra Prabhudesai, the festival explored topics such as gender, creativity, resilience, digital-age writing, Northeast voices in children’s literature, and the spirit of cricket.
Workshops on Colours of Nature (Prakr̥ti Varṇālu) Fabric Dyeing, and Words Becoming World – Creative Writing and Publishing, were held in collaboration with the Arts, Culture & Literary Society (ACTS), SRM AP. These sessions played a key role in positioning Amaravati as a new hub of literary and cultural dialogue through ALF-2025.
Dr R Premkumar, Registrar, extended warm appreciation to the speakers, writers, critics, and panellists who contributed to the success of the festival. Mr Amlan Baisya, Convener of ALF-2025 and Assistant Professor in the Department of Literature and Languages, concluded the event with the festival’s resonant call: “Kotha Nagaram, Kotha Sravalu, Amaravati is rising, and every voice matters.”
The Amaravati Literature Festival is a one-of-a-kind initiative that used literature as a tool to build bridges, catalyse revolutions and nurture empathy. As Amaravati grows in the map, ALF ensures there are enough voices to shape the city. This innovative fest featured panel discussion, workshops, interactive sessions, art exhibitions and many more addressing challenging narratives, voices of literatures and understanding across cultures. Dr Sayantan Thakur, HOD, Department of Literature and Languages, said: “This is history in making. ALF celebrates and will celebrate the life, literature and culture of humanity in the years to come.” Easwari School of Liberal Arts, SRM AP will continue to host ALF as an annual event with the motto – “Where no stories are too insignificant, where no voices are too humble.”
