MBIFL 2026: Children of Malayalam literary legends to inaugurate festival book stall
Thiruvananthapuram: The seventh edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 will pay tribute to Kerala’s literary legends as it opens at Kanakakunnu Palace later this month.
On Thursday, January 22, the Mathrubhumi Books festival stall will be inaugurated by the children of seven beloved Malayalam writers, honouring the enduring legacy of their parents. Present at the ceremony will be Anees Basheer, son of Vaikom Muhammed Basheer; Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma, son of Vayalar Ramavarma; Rajeev O N V, son of O N V Kurup; Lekshmi Devi, daughter of Sugathakumari; Radha, daughter of M Krishnan Nair; Radha Kakkanadan, daughter of Kakkanadan; and Rekha, daughter of M K Sanu. Each will read excerpts from their parents’ acclaimed works, bringing the words of these literary icons alive for festival attendees.
The four-day festival, running from January 29 to February 1, promises a celebration of Malayalam literature with new ideas, letters, and literary discussions. Ahead of the main event, seven senior writers from Kerala were honoured at the Mathrubhumi residence for their contributions to the state’s rich literary tradition.
Visitors can explore a vast collection of books, with selections exceeding lakhs, and enjoy a 15 per cent discount on purchases on the inaugural day. Entry tickets for the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 sessions are available at the Mathrubhumi Books festival venue.
The inaugural day will conclude with a special ‘Vayalar Gaana Sandhya’, featuring singer Kallara Gopan performing iconic songs of Vayalar, alongside Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma and other notable participants.
Book your tickets for MBIFL 2026| https://store.mathrubhumi.com/mbifl/index.html