Thiruvananthapuram: The Mathrubhumi Books festival stall was opened at Kanakakunnu Palace on Thursday evening, ahead of the seventh edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 (MBIFL 2026), which will be held from January 29 to February 1. The inauguration marked a tribute-filled evening celebrating the legacy of iconic Malayalam writers.

The event began with reading an excerpt from OV Vijayan's famous novel 'Khasakkinte Itihasam' (The Legend of Khasak), followed by readings from the works of celebrated literary figures, including M T Vasudevan Nair's 'Randamoozham' (The Second Turn), O N V Kurup, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, Vayalar Ramavarma, Kakkanadan, M Krishnan Nair, M K Sanu, Sugathakumari and S K Pottekkatt. Their children read favourite excerpts from their parents’ writings, bringing their memories alive on stage.

A special lamp-lighting ceremony was held by the children of seven renowned writers, symbolising their enduring literary presence. They were 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.

M T Vasudevan Nair’s daughter Aswathy Srikanth and S K Pottekkatt’s daughter Sumitra read their fathers’ favourite passages through video messages. Mathrubhumi Managing Director M V Shreyams Kumar presented gifts to the seven dignitaries on the dais.

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The evening drew a large audience, including leading figures from Kerala’s cultural and political spheres.

Following the inauguration, a musical programme titled ‘Vayalar Gana Sandhya’ was held, led by singer Kallara Gopan, featuring songs penned by Vayalar Ramavarma. The event turned into a cultural mehfil with speeches by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma and Ravi Menon.