Staff Reporter –
The much-awaited Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU) — India’s leading Bengali literary festival commenced its 11th edition with a vibrant celebration of words, ideas, and culture. The festival was inaugurated at the iconic Oxford Bookstore by renowned historian, writer, and Indologist Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, and Festival Director and CEO of Oxford Bookstores, Swagat Sengupta.
The inauguration was followed by an engaging interactive session on Indian mythology with Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri. The opening day also witnessed the launch of the Bengali translation of the book titled, Krishna: Living with Alzheimer’s, organized in association with the Krishna Trust, and graced by actor, playwright, film director, and Minister for Education, Government of West Bengal, Bratya Basu.
The upcoming sessions of the 11th edition of ABSU promises a rich and diverse mix of debates and discussions. Day 2 of ABSU on 8 November 2025, will feature a series of thought-provoking conversations exploring a wide range of themes, including politics, publishing, poetry, cinema and women’s literature. The day will kickstart with engaging word games and debate with school children blending fun with literary exploration. Two major highlights of the day include, a centenary tribute to playwright Badal Sircar, featuring Anjan Dutt in conversation with Samik Bandyopadhyay. And the centenary celebration of filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, delving into his cinematic legacy, with Parambrata Chattopadhyay in conversation with Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay. The day will also include a session on “Role of Women in Modern Education and Literature,” hosted by Human & Emotion Learning, and also discuss poetry in politics, featuring renowned poet Srijato among other discussants, exploring the intersections of verse, ideology, and contemporary discourse. Another key session will focus on the evolution of book publishing with industry experts including Sudhanshu Shekhar Dey of Dey’s Publishing and other leading publishers, who will reflect on how the publishing landscape has transformed over the years. Additionally, musician and author Anindya Chatterjee will take the stage for a solo session where he will share insights into his literary journey and writings, offering audiences a glimpse into his world as an author.
Day 3, of ABSU on 9 November 2025, shall offer a dynamic blend of sessions that are both stimulating and light-hearted. Day 3 will commence with a brainstorming Bengali word game, organised in association with Shabdabaaji, followed by an engaging poetry session presented in collaboration with Kobita Club. Shyamali Acharya and Parama Dasgupta will pay tribute to legendary composer and musician Salil Chowdhury, celebrating his 100th birth anniversary through a musical presentation. The day’s line-up will also include a captivating session on mystery and horror in Bengali literature, featuring Aparajita Dasgupta, Mir Afsar Ali, and other distinguished discussants. The festival will conclude with an insightful discussion on the evolution of Bengali cinema, featuring renowned filmmaker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, veteran actor Shankar Chakraborty, and other notable voices from the industry.
All sessions will be LIVE streamed on the festival’s YouTube channel, ensuring that the spirit of Bangla literature reaches audience across the globe.
This year’s Utsob has an illustrious line-up of speakers and cultural figures, including Anindya Chatterjee, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Anjan Dutt, Aparajita Dasgupta, Aveek Majumder, Bratya Basu, Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee, Mir Afsar Ali, Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Samik Bandyopadhyay, Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay, Shankar Chakraborty, Sharmila Maiti, Shiladitya Sen, Shyamali Acharya, Srijato, Subarna Basu, Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey and Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri among others who continue to shape the intellectual and creative landscape of Bengal.
Adding to the literary celebration, Cha Bar joins as the Refreshment Partner, bringing the aroma of freshly brewed conversations to life. Shabdabaaji, Surojit-O-Bondhura Kobita Club and Human & Emotion Learning are the Session Partners at ABSU 2025, supporting the festival’s objective to bridge creativity, community and culture.
