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Mohanlal Inaugurates Mathrubhumi Literary Fest 2026 with Lamp Lighting Ceremony

The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 began in Thiruvananthapuram with veteran actor Mohanlal lighting the ceremonial lamp. The first day featured a compelling discussion on the Palestine-Gaza conflict led by journalists Anjana Sankar and Stanly Johny. Other sessions explored themes from personal purpose to the improved performance of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. The festival will host a series of literary and cultural sessions with national and international participants until February 1.

Key Points: Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 Begins

  • Mohanlal inaugurates festival
  • Sessions on Gaza & West Asia
  • KSRTC's successful phase highlighted
  • Exploration of indigenous cultures
  • Festival runs until Feb 1
2 min read

Mohanlal attends inaugural ceremony of Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026

Veteran actor Mohanlal inaugurates the literary festival featuring sessions on global politics, indigenous cultures, and Kerala's transport success.

"the conflict can no longer be considered a marginal or frozen issue in global politics - Anjana Sankar & Stanly Johny"

Thiruvananthapuram, January 30

The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 commenced on Thursday with the esteemed presence of veteran actor Mohanlal, acclaimed writers KR Meera, Jonas Luscher and business leader MA Yusuff Ali, among several other dignitaries.

During the inaugural ceremony, Mohanlal lit the ceremonial lamp and reflected on a century of Malayalam literary heritage, drawing parallels with his own longstanding engagement with the written word.

Day 1 of the festival featured several engaging sessions. Award-winning international journalist Anjana Sankar and The Hindu's International Affairs Editor Stanly Johny led a discussion titled "Palestine, Gaza and the Future of West Asia", emphasising that the conflict can no longer be considered a marginal or frozen issue in global politics.

Another session, "Let Life Reveal Its Purpose", featured speakers Karthikeya Vajpai and Shanti Vijayan. The discussion, based on Vajpai's book 'The Unbecoming', highlighted that learning transcends age and seniority, providing guidance to anyone navigating confusion, ego, and the quest for clarity, especially among the younger generation.

Session on Aanavandi Chinnam Vilikkumbol' (When 'Aanavandi' trumpets), Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has entered one of the most successful phases in its history, citing improved passenger experience and better coordination between staff and commuters.

The session 'The Journey of Rhapsodies' featured US poet, musician, and activist Scott Ezell in conversation with journalist and author Anand K. The discussion explored Ezell's long engagement with Indigenous cultures, particularly in the Americas and Asia, and the intersections of poetry, music, activism, and resistance to industrial and imperial systems.

The 7th edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters will continue until February 1 at Kanakakkunnu Palace, Trivandrum, featuring a series of literary, cultural and intellectual sessions with participation from authors and poets from India and abroad.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
The lineup is impressive, mixing global and local perspectives. The session with Scott Ezell on indigenous cultures and resistance is something I'd love to have attended. Festivals like these put Kerala firmly on the world's intellectual map. Wish I could be in Trivandrum right now!
S
Suresh O
Good to hear about the KSRTC session. As a daily commuter, I have seen some improvement, but there's still a long way to go in terms of punctuality and bus condition. Hopefully the minister's words translate to more consistent ground-level action. The festival itself is a great initiative.
K
Kavya N
The session "Let Life Reveal Its Purpose" speaks directly to the youth. In today's competitive and often confusing world, guidance that cuts through ego is much needed. Proud of our Malayalam literary heritage getting this global platform. Jai Hind!
D
David E
Attending from abroad. The blend of topics is fascinating – from very local transport issues to global indigenous activism. It reflects India's unique position in the world. The discussion on West Asia is particularly timely. More power to such inclusive intellectual spaces.
R
Rohit P
While the festival is fantastic, I do wish there was more accessible digital streaming for those of us who can't travel to Trivandrum. The topics are too important to be limited to a physical audience. Just a respectful suggestion for future editions!

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