India’s premier literary institution, the Sahitya Akademi, made a historic decision on March 7 to include LGBTQ poets in its prestigious Festival of Letters held in New Delhi. This marked the first time LGBTQ poets were invited to perform at such a high-profile event at Rabindra Bhavan, alongside more than 700 writers from 50 languages, demonstrating a significant shift in the Akademi’s inclusivity.
Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the Festival of Letters, with acclaimed English playwright Mahesh Dattani as the main guest. Dubbed Asia’s grandest literary gathering, the festival, which spanned six days, explored the theme “Indian Literary Traditions.” It featured a diverse range of voices, including young writers, women authors, Dalit writers from marginalized castes, poets from Northeast India, tribal voices, and notably, LGBTQ poets.
A Platform for LGBTQ Voices
One of the highlights of the event was the session titled “Discussion on Literary Works of LGBTQ Writers in the 21st Century,” chaired by Kalki Subramaniam, a prominent transgender rights activist and author. Held on March 9, the session focused on contemporary queer voices in literature and featured notable LGBTQ writers such as A. Revathi Amma from Tamil Nadu, Reshma Prasad from Bihar, Sanjana Simon from New Delhi, Devika Devendra Manglamukhi, Shivin from Uttar Pradesh, and Aksaya K Rath from Odisha.
Subramaniam expressed the enriching experience of listening to LGBTQ writers from various parts of India. “It was particularly memorable to hear these profound thoughts from LGBT writers across the country,” she said. She also spoke about how global politics continue to influence gender rights and the persistent erasure of trans identities, calling for solidarity and a stronger push to elevate queer voices in the literary world.
“I was thrilled to meet fellow writer-activists such as Sajana Simon and Revathi Amma at the festival after a long time,” Subramaniam added, emphasizing the sense of community among queer writers at the event.
A Rich Legacy of Inclusivity
The Sahitya Akademi, founded in 1954, has long been a guardian of Indian literature and culture. In 2018, it hosted India’s first exclusive gathering of transgender writers in Kolkata, a significant milestone for queer representation in Indian literature. The inclusion of LGBTQ poets in the 2025 Festival of Letters builds on this legacy, with an increased commitment to celebrating marginalized voices.
Notable openly gay poet Hoshang Dinshaw Merchant also recited a poem at the festival, marking another important moment for LGBTQ representation in the Indian literary scene. Merchant, a trailblazer in India’s gay liberation movement, thanked Subramaniam for her leadership in creating a welcoming space for queer writers.
In another significant recognition, K. Vaishali was awarded the Yuva Puraskar in 2024 for her memoir Homeless: Growing Up Lesbian and Dyslexic in India. The memoir, which candidly explores the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, was hailed for its raw, unflinching portrayal of identity. Vaishali’s win highlighted the Akademi’s evolving stance on inclusivity, validating the voices of marginalized communities.
A Break from Conservative Policies
The inclusion of LGBTQ writers in the Festival of Letters comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government’s stance on LGBTQ issues remains conservative. In 2023, the government opposed same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court, arguing that it eroded traditional Indian family values. However, under the leadership of Minister Shekhawat, the Sahitya Akademi’s embrace of queer voices at the festival suggests a potential opening for more inclusive cultural policies, even amidst a generally conservative political climate.
In addition to the focus on LGBTQ writers, the festival also highlighted the work of translators, with P. Vimala’s 2024 award-winning Tamil translation of Autobiography of a Sex Worker by Nalini Jameela being featured. This effort emphasizes the Akademi’s commitment to cross-linguistic literary work, despite tensions in Tamil Nadu, where opposition to Hindi-language imposition continues.
An Inclusive Literary Gathering
Subramaniam, reflecting on the festival, said, “The Akademi is very inclusive and has a friendly festival ambience.” The event demonstrated a continued push toward inclusivity, showcasing diverse literary voices while navigating the complex intersection of culture, politics, and identity in India.
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