Words That Inspire: SOA Literary Festival Lights Up Bhubaneswar

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 1,700 Views

The SOA Literary Festival 2025 kicked off in Bhubaneswar with Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati inaugurating the event and Javed Akhtar receiving the SOA Sahitya Samman. The festival, themed “Culture, Creativity and Artificial Intelligence,” brought together leading literary and cultural figures for two days of discussions, workshops, and celebrations.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati officially inaugurated the third edition of the SOA Literary Festival in Bhubaneswar, marking a grand celebration of literature, culture, and creativity. The highlight of the event was the conferring of the prestigious SOA Sahitya Samman 2025 on celebrated poet, lyricist, and social thinker Javed Akhtar, recognizing his immense contributions to Indian literature and cinema.

Key Highlights

Grand Inauguration and Cultural Showcase
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati emphasized the enduring power of literature to inspire, shape values, and nurture empathy during his opening address. The festival opened with soulful poetry, shayari, and iconic dialogues, setting the tone for a vibrant celebration of the written word.
Javed Akhtar Honoured with SOA Sahitya Samman
Javed Akhtar was awarded the SOA Sahitya Samman 2025, which includes a cash prize of ₹7 lakh and a citation. The honor acknowledges his profound impact on Indian poetry, lyrics, and cultural heritage. Akhtar also delivered an engaging speech, reflecting on the evolving relationship between creativity and technology.
Festival Theme: Culture, Creativity and Artificial Intelligence
The two-day festival, themed “Culture, Creativity and Artificial Intelligence,” featured over 30 sessions including panel discussions, workshops, and interactive talks. Experts explored the intersection of AI with art, music, and literature, examining how technological advances influence creative expression and cultural traditions.
Pan-Indian Literary Gathering
Over 100 distinguished personalities from across India—including authors, poets, playwrights, translators, publishers, and media professionals—attended the event. The festival provided a platform for national and regional literary interaction, fostering dialogue across arts and culture.
Chief Minister to Attend Closing Ceremony
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to grace the closing ceremony, underscoring the state’s commitment to promoting literary and cultural activities. Organizers aim to make the SOA Literary Festival a recurring national platform for writers, artists, and scholars.