Inside Jaipur Literature Festival

oin Simon and Lachlan as they dive into the vibrant world of Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, exploring its blend of literary depth and festive buzz. Discover the star-studded lineup, unique experiences, and accessible ways to be part of this literary carnival, whether in person or virtually. Festival Experience Unpacked Simon Carver Alright, folks, welcome back to Sanganer Kesari—Simon here, and with me’s the always-entertaining Lachlan. We’re letting you in on Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, which is set for January 15th through 19th at Hotel Clarks Amer. This isn’t just any hotel get-together either—the JLF is like a cross between a scholarly seminar and, honestly, a full-blown carnival. e467cf01 Yep, and if you reckon a literature festival is just sleepy panels and dusty old books—mate, you’re in for a shock. JLF brings out everything: book sales, huge art installations, merch, you name it. The vibes are electric. And don’t forget the Jaipur Music Stage. Some of the country’s best acts get up there. Last year, I remember I strolled across to some jazz fusion at sunset—it was magic. Simon Carver Yeah! And, look, the thing is, it’s immersive. You're moving from an intense discussion on, let’s say, climate fiction, then right past this wild art sculpture, someone’s busking, all sorts of smells from the food courts, and, suddenly, you’re at a pop-up book bazaar looking at some hand-bound hardbacks. Reminds me—my very first time at an event like this, I actually got swept up in this massive crowd. I had no idea what was happening until I realized, oh wait, everyone’s racing to see Stephen Fry speak. I just went with it—one minute I’m chatting with a poet about coffee, next, I’m wedged between students and these very serious lit folks, all giddy, hoping to catch a glimpse of their hero. It was mayhem, but the best kind. Honestly felt like a brainy block party. e467cf01 You say “block party,” and you’re not wrong, mate—except with panels on geopolitics and poetry instead of, like, sausage sizzles and a bounce castle. The crowd’s a mix. Grandparents, college kids, journalists with mics taped together, actual rockstar authors. Bit of a circus, in a good way. Even saw folks there who probably hadn’t read a novel in years, just along for the good times and the tunes. Chapter 2 Highlights and Star Power e467cf01 But, Simon, let’s get into the big names. This year—the guest list is wild. Anne Applebaum’s coming, which is huge for anyone into global politics. There’s Kiran Desai—her sessions are always packed. And, of course, Stephen Fry, who we mentioned. Just being in the same space as Fry? That’s a storyteller’s dream. Tim Berners-Lee, too, which, mate, if you’re at all into the history of the web, that’s bucket list stuff. Simon Carver It’s almost like, which VIP do you want to see today, right? Don’t forget Viswanathan Anand, too—the chess grandmaster. And the programmers, publishers, art critics, all under one roof. What’s cool is how special platforms make their mark. BluOne Ink Jaipur BookMark, for example—it’s this hub for big names in publishing to, kinda, just bump ideas together. And then, come sundown, you can hit the Music Stage—live performances, big crowd, world-class acts. There’s no downtime at this festival. e467cf01 Yeah, like—take Vir Das, for instance. He’s doing a talk called "The Outsider: A Memoir of Misfits." Had the luck to catch a preview of that, and it’s sort of wild—he’s riffing on not quite fitting in, making everyone laugh, but then turning it insightful. And then, someone like Ankur Tewari jumps up at the Music Stage after a deep panel, and suddenly, the whole crowd’s shoulder-to-shoulder, swaying along. It’s what the festival nails—these crossings of big ideas and live artistry. No “dead air,” as we’d say. Simon Carver And, if you’re a behind-the-scenes type, that BookMark bit is where heavy-hitters from publishing gather—think think tanks for editors, deals, the next big voices. I mean, you could go in thinking you’re just gonna listen to a memoir reading, and end up watching a book contract get hashed out over coffee. The “star power” here is in sharing the room with people shaping what we’ll all be reading soon. Chapter 3 Registration and Getting Involved Simon Carver Okay, let’s talk tickets—and this is where JLF stands out. Registration is super accessible. If you’re media, entry’s free, so as long as you’re officially representing something—print, online, whatever—you’re golden. There’s student access for a hundred rupees. That’s for all five days! Even general admission—just two hundred. That’s, what, the price of coffee these days? And you’re in, session venues, the food courts, the art spaces—it’s all open to you. e467cf01 And there’s more. If, say, you really wanna go all out, “Friend of the Festival” is the VIP lane—exclusive perks, fancy lounges, the best seats for the headliner panels. Sure, it’s a jump, but you pretty much get the full royal treatment. And if you can’t make it to Jaipur, the virtual sessions are totally free, so there’s no excuse not to catch at least a bit of the festival from pretty much anywhere. Simon Carver Yep, and then you’ve got publishers—there’s a spot just for them at BookMark, South Asia’s biggest annual publishing conclave. Had this funny experience one year: first time I went just as a book-loving audience member, wandering in awe. Then, a few years later, I went back representing a magazine. The energy’s different each time—when you’re there as media, you see the event from a whole new angle. Kind of makes you realize anyone can “fit in” here, whether you’re a student, a journalist, or just a kid with a notebook and a dream. e467cf01 Totally. You could rock up as a music-lover, wander into a talk that flips your thinking, and walk out inspired to try your hand at a bit of poetry—or maybe even start your own podcast, eh? So, wherever you’re listening, if JLF’s calling your name, give it a go. Register, plan your trip—or just fire up your laptop and join in virtually. No excuse for not being part of the action, mate. Simon Carver And that’s a wrap for today’s episode of Sanganer Kesari. Don’t forget, the Jaipur Literature Festival is more than a fest—it’s a passport into new ideas and unexpected friendships. Lachlan, as always, loved chatting with you. Folks, stay curious—we’ll be back with more highlights soon. e467cf01 Cheers, Simon! And thanks to everyone tuning in. Might see you at JLF with a chai in hand. Catch ya next time!