South India’s largest literature festival, the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026, has been characterised by a distinctive blend of flavour, intellectual depth, and scale since its inception. Day three unfolded as another vibrant confluence of writers, readers, aficionados, influencers, and intellectuals, celebrating literary camaraderie and cultural exchange.
The session “Left, Right and Centre: The Paradox of Positions” saw BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and CPI(M) MP John Brittas debate ideology, nationalism, secularism, and electoral trends. Surya argued that Christian voters in Kerala are showing signs of a political shift, pointing to issue-based engagement and debates over Waqf reforms and minority outreach. “There is a shift happening,” he said, noting that some in the community are reassessing traditional political alignments.
Brittas pushed back, citing electoral data and recent local body trends, and warned that vote share figures do not indicate a measurable swing toward the BJP. He cautioned against drawing political conclusions without statistical evidence. “The discussion extended to Waqf reforms and minority politics, with each leader highlighting inconsistencies in the other’s ideological camp.”
In another engaging session moderated by Jane Joseph, author Milan Vohra discussed her move from romantic fiction to non-fiction with “Heartbreak Unfiltered.” She explored love, loss, and healing, emphasising why heartbreak remains a taboo. Milan said her book encourages readers to understand the impact of heartbreak on the mind, body, and sense of self, rather than rushing the healing process. “Heartbreak is still often seen as a personal failure rather than a shared human experience,” she noted. While the book has struck a chord with readers, many prefer to discuss their experiences privately, highlighting how challenging it remains to speak openly about emotional pain.
The session “Scaling Trust Across Borders,” moderated by Mayura M. S., Director – Digital Business at Mathrubhumi, brought together leaders, including V. Nandakumar of Kalyan Silks and Suzannah Muthoot of Muthoot Housing Finance. The panel explored how new-generation businesses can build long-term trust, emphasising that employee-focused systems and strong internal culture are now as crucial as being customer-first. Speakers noted that in an era of rapid expansion and scrutiny, sustainable growth across borders depends on prioritising employees alongside customers.
Other major sessions on Day 3 featured Dr Gitanjali Angmo, Varghese K. George, Shashi Tharoor, Shanavas, Indrajeet, Prakash Nair, Novollel Chakraborty, Sanjay K. Roy, and Jeet Thayil, among others. The festival concluded with a live musical performance by the renowned Thakara Band, whose melodious and vibrant energy captivated the crowd in Trivandrum.
Spread across 13 venues at Kanakakkunnu, the festival brings together over 700 writers, thinkers, and public figures from India and abroad. Sessions over the next 3 days span literature, art, history, philosophy, science, cinema, media, spirituality, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, etc.
