KATHMANDU: The fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival 2026 will be held on June 6 and 7 at Hotel Himalaya, bringing together prominent writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, diplomats, and intellectuals from across South Asia.

Organizers said the festival will be conducted under the theme “Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing World,” featuring panel discussions, keynote sessions, poetry recitals, musical performances, workshops, book launches, and cultural programs.

Participants include singer Ila Arun, writer Pratibha Ray, actor and lyricist Piyush Mishra, filmmaker Raj Shekhar, and spiritual speaker Acharya Prashant, alongside several noted South Asian literary and cultural figures.

Festival founder and curator Rashmi Ranjan Parida said the event will explore literature, identity, spirituality, inclusivity, and social transformation in the contemporary global context. Festival director Ranjana Niraula said this year’s theme highlights the rising global relevance of South Asian literary and cultural traditions.

The festival is being organized in collaboration with Yashaswi Pragya Pratisthan. Since launching its Kathmandu edition in 2022, the Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Literary Festival has positioned itself as a platform for literary and cultural exchange among Nepal, India, and South Asian countries.