The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) has been hailed as “the greatest literary show on Earth”—a vibrant confluence of writers, thinkers, activists, and readers from across the globe. But behind this global phenomenon stands one of its principal visionaries: Namita Gokhale.
A writer, publisher, and cultural entrepreneur, Gokhale’s role in shaping JLF is both foundational and transformational. Her curatorial insight, passion for Indian languages, and commitment to inclusivity have made the festival not only successful—but historically significant.
The Origins: A Festival Rooted in Ideas
Founded in 2006 as a modest literary gathering, the Jaipur Literature Festival grew rapidly under the leadership of Namita Gokhale, William Dalrymple, and Sanjoy K. Roy (of Teamwork Arts).
Gokhale brought to the table:
- A deep literary sensibility, grounded in Indian and global writing
- Experience as a publisher with Yatra Books, promoting translations and vernacular literature
- A vision for equality, ensuring the festival welcomed voices beyond metropolitan, English-speaking elites
Diversity of Voices: A Signature of Gokhale’s Curatorship
What sets JLF apart is its pluralism—and much of that can be traced to Gokhale’s programming ethos.
She consistently champions:
- Regional and indigenous languages
- Debut and emerging authors alongside global bestsellers
- Unheard voices: Dalit writers, women from conflict zones, LGBTQ+ thinkers, environmentalists, and spiritual philosophers
Gokhale’s belief: A literary festival must reflect the society it inhabits.
Literature Beyond Borders
Under Gokhale’s curatorship, JLF grew into an international platform with editions in:
- London
- Boulder (Colorado)
- New York
- Doha
- Adelaide
- Toronto
Yet, at every location, the soul of the original Jaipur event remains: an open, democratic space for dialogue, dissent, and discovery.
Intellectual Curation with Cultural Integrity
Unlike typical panel programming, Gokhale approaches curation as a literary architecture—weaving connections across genres, geographies, and ideologies.
Her strengths include:
- Spotting emerging literary movements before they become mainstream
- Inviting cross-cultural, interdisciplinary panels—where historians speak with poets, scientists debate with novelists
- Curating sessions in Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Tamil, and other Indian languages, ensuring linguistic inclusion
Quote from Gokhale: “We are not a festival of the elite. We are a festival of ideas.”
Recognition & Cultural Legacy
Thanks in no small part to Gokhale’s stewardship, JLF has received:
- Global press acclaim (The Guardian, NYT, WSJ, etc.)
- Over half a million visitors annually in Jaipur alone
- A reputation as one of the world’s most accessible literary forums, where Nobel laureates, rural poets, and curious students all share the same stage
Final Thoughts: A Festival With a Soul
In an age where cultural events can feel commercialized or exclusionary, Namita Gokhale ensured that JLF remained a public intellectual space—rooted in Indian traditions but open to global currents.
Through tireless curation, an eye for underrepresented narratives, and an unwavering belief in the power of words, Gokhale helped build more than a festival—she helped build a movement.
