I have been doing a lot of running around these past four days. But… it was not the confused, headless chicken kind of running around, rather a more calculated and well planned out one which gave me much joy.

The literary festival that just concluded (today was the last day) in my city was on its seventh year. This year too, for the third consecutive time, I have been at the venue, the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, every single day, along with some of my friends.

Since its inception, the festival has been bringing together international and national writers, artists, and thinkers for discussions, debates, and performances for four days of the year. The range of topics presented that you can choose from is extensive. So it’s a pleasure being there. The pity is that one sometimes ends up having to give up one from two equally interesting topics or speakers.

The sun was hot on all four days, making us look like ripe tomatoes each time we moved from one venue to another. Sometimes we found ourselves in the cool shade of trees or at other times in air conditioned halls. What a relief! Once in, what mattered was finding a seat, preferably somewhere up front so we could see as also hear the speaker(s).

The halls where the programs happen have interesting names: Hall of Letters, The Space, Alpha Verse, Mathrubhumi Hall, Festival Hall, The Forum, Under the Tree, Tree Of Life and so on.

Today as I left The Forum knowing that it was goodbye till next year, there was a feeling of loss. Tomorrow I would not need to get up and follow the meticulously laid out plan so that I could be at the palace grounds at precisely 10 a.m. I’d not be choosing from a list, trying to decide whom to listen to. I’d not be browsing at the book shop or getting books autographed. The evening would not find me returning home tired and happy, to rest and recoup, so as to walk the same path the next day.

Oh well. All good things have got to end. But the beauty of it is that, this good thing will return again next year. One other thing that gives me consolation: The literary festival in my city might have ended, but the one at Shail’s Nest has only just begun 😉

©️ Shail Mohan 2026