RAIPUR: The three-day long Raipur Sahitya Utsav (literature festival) commenced in Purkhouti Muktangan of Nava Raipur’s Atal Nagar on January 23. The much anticipated lit fest was inaugurated by Chief Guest and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh who was also joined by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The inaugural event of the lit fest was organised at the Vinod Shukla Mandap and was also attended by Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Hindi International University, Dr Kumud Sharma and renowned actor Manoj Joshi. The event was also graced by senior journalist Anant Vijay, Pankaj Jha and head of Chhattisgarh Sahitya Academy, Sashank Sharma.
The ceremony marked the release of several new works, including a publication celebrating 25 years of the state, a coffee table on the state’s literary heritage, author Rajiv Prasad Ranjan’s ‘Tera Raj Nahi Ayega Re’, professor Anju Joshi’s Laal Deewaren and ‘National Selfhood in Science’ authored by J Nandkumar.
Paying tribute to the legendry literary figure from the state, late Vinod Kumar Shukla, Dy Chairman Harivansh Singh said that Chhattisgarh has a long and rich history of literature and the state has strongly protected its cultural heritage. Singh on the occasion also mentioned about legendry figure Kabir and his connection with Kawardha of Chhattisgarh.
Quoting Maithali Sharan Gupt, Singh further said that literature provides hope, direction and courage to overcome disappointment.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hails the 2026 lit-fest as Mahakumbh of literature. The CM highlighted that the state is maternal home to Bhagwan Ram and hosting of the event is a matter of pride. He informed that around 120 distinguished writers will be holding intense dialogue over contemporary social, cultural and political subjects in 42 sessions.
CM Sai in his address lauded the contribution made by the freedom fighters, stressing that many of them were writers, journalists, lawyers who provided the nectar of freedom to the forthcoming generation by going through extreme difficulties. He underscored the contribution of legendry authors like Makhanlal Chauturvedi and Madhav Sapre emphasising that their works inspired the countrymen. He added that the state has produced many notable literary figures.
The Chief Minister on the occasion remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s deep association with literature and also underlined the roles of poets and authors during the emergency. He noted that literature teaches to stand against injustice.
The first day of the event featured several programmes including a performance from Manoj Joshi who thrilled the audiences with his role of Chanakya. The event attracted an impressive participation from literature enthusiasts, including youths in large numbers.
