New Delhi, 29 Oct 2026: As the Vedanta Presents Jaipur Literature Festival prepares to celebrate two decades of literary discovery and cultural dialogue, it announces its second list of speakers for the land mark 20th edition, set to take place from 14 – 18 January 2027 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. The new announcement brings together an expansive and diverse group of writers, historians, academics, scientists, journalists, artists and public figures whose work has shaped conversations across disciplines, geogra phies and generations.
Over the past two decades, the Jaipur Literature Festival has grown into a global meeting place for ideas and storytelling, bringing celebrated voices and emerging perspectives into conversation with audiences from across India and the world. The second list of speakers straddles fiction and poetry, histories of empire and civilisation, questions of identity and belong ing, scientific discovery, international affairs, wellbeing, food and the arts.
The list features Adania Shibli, the Palestinian writer whose novel Minor Detail was nominated for the National Book Aw ard and the International Booker Prize; Alice Roberts, the biological anthro pologist, author and broadcaster known for her work on human evolution and archaeo logy; and Ananya Vajpeyi, whose scholarship explores Indian intellectual history and political thought. The Festival also welcomes Benja min Moser, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biogra pher and writer, among its distinguished line-up of speakers; Caro line Elkins, Harvard professor and Pulitzer Prize – winning historian whose work subverts the idea of British ‘liberal imperialism’; and Claire Messud , acclaimed novelist whose writing explores identity, relationships and contemporary life.
The list features Eric Cline, archaeo logist and historian whose research focuses on the ancient Medi terranean and Near East; Gabrielle Rifkind, whose work centres on conflict resolution and inter national relations; and Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, whose fiction explores the Adivasi identity. Makarand Sa the , Marathi playwright, novelist and theatre director, joins Mira Seo, whose academic work engages with classical literature, and Mona Arshi, poet and novelist whose writing explores identity, family and belonging. Neil MacGregor, distinguished art historian and former director of the British Museum, brings his expertise in art and cultural history, while Paul Zacharia , acclaimed Malayalam writer and essayist, comes with his expertise that blends social commentary, satire and philoso phical enquiry with fiction.
Also featuring in the announcement are Ritu Dalmia, the chef and restaurateur and co-owner of the popular Italian restaurant Diva; Roxie Nafousi, author and self-development coach known for her work on personal growth; and Shriram Nene, cardiovascular surgeon and health advocate whose public work focuses on healthcare and medical awareness. Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Prize-winning geneticist and cell biologist, brings pioneering scientific ideas while Suraj Yengde, author of Caste Matters , examines caste, race and social justice.