Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF)

The Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF) returns for its 6th edition this year, set to take place from the 8th-10th November 2024 at the Doon International School, Dehradun from 10 am to 6 pm. Mentored by stalwarts like Imtiaz Ali, Ruskin Bond and Vishal Bhardwaj, this annual celebration intends to showcase a whirlwind weekend filled with over 30 inspiring talks, captivating performances, and unforgettable encounters with 70+ renowned authors, poets, and artists to create a love for the written word and foster meaningful discussions on relevant topics of the day. Attendees can look forward to a rich blend of inspiring talks, immersive workshops, theatrical performances, and engaging discussions that delve into contemporary issues and timeless wisdom.

The first day of the festival will include exciting workshops, talks, theatre plays etc. exclusively for students, witnessing participation from schools in Dehradun and beyond. The next two days will be open for the public with multiple workshops, award ceremonies, book launches, food experiences, literature conversations, a bazaar area and much more.

The festival, founded with the vision to create a meaningful pause in an increasingly tech-driven world, aims to provide a space for literary enthusiasts to explore diverse perspectives and exchange ideas through its panel discussions, interactive sessions and workshops. It strives to create an immersive experience that not only celebrates literature but also seamlessly integrates cinema, music, visual art, culinary excellence and fashion within the event.

Samraant Virmani, the founder of the festival, conveyed his vision, stating, “DDLF was a dream born in our serene and pristine Doon Valley to serve the youngest budding minds into able citizens of tomorrow. It gives me pride to note that over the past many years, exceptional icons from the world of art and literature have graced our stage, with national and global exposure opportunities being created for our community.” 

“With the 6th edition of the festival, we are coming back to the heart of the city with a program which offers value to our young citizens, as well as the very enthusiastic writing community which has thrived for decades in our town. We would attempt to cultivate sessions which address a multiplicity of issues, relevant to contemporary times while drawing from past wisdom and future predictions,” he adds.

Started in 2017, the Dehradun Literature Festival aspires to serve the legacy of Dehradun, while creating a platform for the future. In a world largely driven by AI and tech, the festival uses the power of literature and art to transform human life and hence seeks to build a captivating environment, especially for the young adults of the city. 

About Samraant Virmani

Samraant Virmani is a young entrepreneur who has his roots in Dehradun. He has opened a primary school – Wonder Years. In 2014, he founded Heads Up Entertainment – an events company in Dehradun. Samraant was the youngest elected President in the history of the Doon Club, is the curator and founder of the Dehradun Literature Festival and also directed the International Yoga Festival (Rishikesh) from 2017-2020. He was awarded the Times of India Brand Icon award for excellence in the field of events, Uttrakhand excellence award by the state government and was recently featured in the Forbes Magazine as a Visionary Entrepreneur.

About Excurators Events

Excurators Events are responsible for DDLF’s creative direction. It is a dynamic and innovative events curation and strategy company specializing in the creation of unique experiences through various art forms. With a deep passion for creating memorable moments, they curate and strategize events, festivals, and projects that engage, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. They have over 14 years of experience in event planning and execution. Their expertise lies in music festival programming, sustainability development for festivals, curation of art shows, storytelling and literature festivals, integrated branding and sponsorship.

Image Courtesy – DDLF

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