By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) has officially announced its Hindi shortlist for the prestigious KLF Book Awards 2026, shining a spotlight on exceptional literary works published over the past year. Prominent literary figures including Gyan Chaturvedi, Yashwant Vyas, Amol Palekar, Seema Kapoor, Vinay Kumar, Yatindra Mishra, Malini Awasthi, Balwant Kaur and Dr. Arvind Yadav are among the distinguished writers whose books have made the final selection. The shortlist spans five distinct categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Translation and Debut – celebrating outstanding books published in 2025 that reflect the profound richness, diversity, and creative vitality of contemporary Hindi literature.
Commenting on the announcement, Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and Director of the Kalinga Literary Festival, said: “The KLF Book Awards recognise books that challenge conventions, preserve memory, and open new possibilities for dialogue. The shortlisted works this year reflect the richness and diversity of contemporary writing across genres and represent voices that will continue to shape literary and intellectual conversations. We congratulate all the shortlisted authors and look forward to celebrating their achievements during KLF Indraprastha at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on October 3–4, 2026.”
The winners of the KLF Book Awards 2026 will be revealed in September 2026, with the formal honoring ceremony taking place during the grand launch of KLF Indraprastha on October 3–4, 2026, at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The upcoming festival is set to serve as a major cultural hub, bringing together acclaimed authors, publishers, translators, scholars, artists, and literary enthusiasts from all parts of India and abroad to engage in vibrant discussions, share ideas, and celebrate cultural dialogue.
In the highly competitive Non-Fiction category, the final shortlist features Dr. Arvind Yadav’s Anashwar: 14th Dalai Lama ki Jeevani, Seema Kapoor’s Yun Guzri Hai Ab Talak, Yashwant Vyas’s Begampul Se Dariyaganj, and Amol Palekar’s Amanat: Ek Smriti Kosh.
Meanwhile, the Fiction category showcases a powerful array of storytelling, including Gyan Chaturvedi’s Roshni ki Shinakht, Satyanarayan’s Is Minkhajoon Mein ‘Yayavar ki Diary’, Pankaj Subir’s Khaibar Darra, and Balendu Dwivedi’s Badshah Salamat Hazir Hon…!.
The Poetry shortlist highlights deeply moving collections that capture contemporary sentiments, featuring Vinay Kumar’s Shreyasi, Ashutosh Agnihotri’s Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon, Panna Trivedi’s Dhoop ke Hastakshar, and Yatindra Mishra’s Bina Kaling Vijay Ke.
For the Translation category, the shortlisted titles reflect a brilliant cross-cultural bridge, including Derek Bose’s Sameer: Lafzon ke Saath Safarnama, translated into Hindi by Prabhat Milind; Jamshedji Tata: Corporate Safalta ke Liye Shaktishali Seekh, translated into Hindi by Dr. Sanjeev Mishra from the original English book by R. Gopalakrishnan and Harish Bhat; Maye Musk’s Jab Aurat Sochti Hai, translated into Hindi by Yunus Khan; and Baba Harihar Ram’s Aghor: Ek Nai Chadar, translated into Hindi by Vimal Kumar Tiwari.
The Debut category recognizes fresh, impactful literary voices, shortlisting Dr. Ratan Lal Mahendragarhi’s Sarkash Faqeer: Sahir Ludhianvi ki Jeevan Yatra, Malini Awasthi’s Chandan Kivaad, Rashmi Kulshreshtha’s Shesh Rahega Prem, and Balwant Kaur’s Smriti aur Dansh: Vibhajan, Nirantarata aur Teesri Peedhi.
Presented by the Kalinga Literary Festival, which stands as one of India’s premier literary platforms, these awards are designed to honor books that exhibit outstanding literary excellence, originality, and intellectual depth while adding real value to ongoing public discourse. Selected by independent, eminent juries consisting of prominent writers, scholars, translators, and literary experts, the KLF Book Awards continue to uphold the highest benchmarks of creative achievement, nurturing a dedicated space for meaningful engagement between writers and readers through their year-round initiatives.
