Kumaon Literary Festival is the first travelling literary festival of the country which brings together creative minds to offer insights on matters relevant to the literature and our cultural life as a nation. Founded in the year 2014, the not-for-profit festival has held many successful editions attended by hundreds of literary luminaries and thinkers from around the world, and many Constitutional office holders. The first two editions of KLF were hosted by Te Aroha, Dhanachuli.
Founded by Sumant Batra, an eminent lawyer and cultural champion, KLF is conceptualised as an institution with an eco-system comprising of initiatives, projects and activities that are not limited or confined to the festival. The key projects that are part of KLF’s eco-system are: Fellows of Nature, in partnership with French Institute in India, Wildlife Trust of India and others; Women Unlimited Series, in partnership with United Nations Women; and Literary Bhagidari. The institutionalised approach to the festival is aimed at maximising impact and optimise on resources to help identify hidden talent, open avenues and opportunities for writers and increase their access through translations and other means to a larger audience. This also ensures there are measurable and tangible outcomes in addition to the festival.
The management of KLF was taken over by the Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation in the year 2021.
