IAAC Literary Festival

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is thrilled to announce its 2024 literary festival, bringing together acclaimed authors, poets, and literary grand masters for a weekend of engaging book talks, panel discussions, and performances. Held at International House, the festival is free and open to all, offering audiences a unique opportunity to explore global Indian literature and culture.

This year’s festival promises to resonate strongly with both American and Indian-American audiences, featuring prominent voices like Amitava Kumar, whose works on identity and migration bridge both worlds, and Sonora Jha, whose critical lens on social justice speaks to current global and domestic conversations. Chef Asma Khan, celebrated for her globally renowned restaurant Darjeeling Express, comes into town from London. She joins Brook Eddy, founder of Bhakti Chai and they bring an exciting culinary edge to the festival, appealing to food lovers and entrepreneurs alike. Also featured is Harini Nagendra, a renowned ecologist and author, whose works captivate readers interested in literature and environmentalism, and Veera Hiranandani, author of acclaimed young adult fiction, appealing to both younger audiences and families. These authors, among others, present a broad range of topics, from leadership and activism to personal journeys and the art of storytelling.

We are also thrilled to announce that McKinsey & Company has come onboard as a Knowledge Partner, adding a new dimension to this year’s festival with their world-class insights and expertise. Equally exciting, the Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF) returns for a second consecutive year as a key partner, reinforcing the festival’s growing prominence as a premier celebration of Indian and global literature in New York City. Their support promises to elevate the IAAC Literary Festival to new heights!

Festival Schedule:

Sunday Room A:

12.00 - 12.50 PM: The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World Author Karthik Ramanna and The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out Author Ramesh Srinivasan in conversation with Deepak Raj

01.00 PM - 01:50 PM: For Now, It Is Night: Stories Translator Kalpana Raina in conversation with Padma Shri Subhash Kak

2.00 PM - 02:50 PM: The Vivekananda Handbook Author Anshul Chaturvedi in conversation with Swami Sarvapriyananda

Sunday Room B:

12.00 - 12.50 PM: Amil and The After Author Veera Hiranandani in conversation with Raakhee Mirchandani

01.00 - 01:50 PM: Sad Glad - Author Sidhartha Mallya in conversation with Ravina Aggarwal

2.00 PM- 02:50 PM: I am Lotus Author Anu Sehgal and Knotty Knots Author Naumi Kak in conversation with Ravina Aggarwal

Admission: Free and open to the public