Mimansa 2025: Celebrating the Creative Spirit of Young Minds
Mimansa 2025 — Shimla, April 18-20, 2025
Mimansa 2025, the third edition of the highly anticipated Bal Sahitya Utsav (Children’s Literature Festival), is set to take place in Shimla from April 18-20, 2025. A key initiative by the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh, this event aims to celebrate and preserve the region’s rich cultural and literary heritage. Hosted in collaboration with the Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla, this year’s festival promises to be bigger and more engaging than ever before.
Mimansa 2025 will bring together some of the most prominent names in the world of literature and the arts. Among the special guests are celebrated author Devdutt Pattanaik, renowned artist Priya Kurian, and actor Sohaila Kapur, each contributing their unique expertise and insight to the festival’s events.
Devdutt Pattanaik, known for his deep dive into mythology, will be part of the grand finale, while Priya Kurian, a distinguished illustrator and author, will kick off the festival with the opening ceremony. Sohaila Kapoor, famed for her acting and literary contributions, will grace the event as the Guest of Honor.
An Interactive Platform for Young Minds
Building on the success of its previous editions in 2023 and 2024, Mimansa 2025 is set to offer an interactive platform for children and young adults to explore the world of literature. With an increase in participation each year, the festival provides a space for young readers and budding writers to immerse themselves in literary discussions, workshops, and activities.
The three-day festival will feature a variety of engaging events, including book reviews, wordplay & declamation competitions, and art workshops. It is designed not only to inspire children to read but also to encourage them to actively participate in discussions, express their creativity, and engage in creative writing, whether through books, short stories, or poetry.
A Detailed Overview of the Festival
The event will take place at the Multi-purpose Hall and Conference Hall of the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. Over the first two days, the festival will run from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, with a lunch break included. On the final day, the closing ceremony and award distribution will take place by 2:00 pm.
During the three days, young readers will review eight books, engaging in insightful conversations with authors and moderators. The reviews will provide a platform for participants to share their thoughts and interpretations of the selected books.
Special Sessions and Workshops
Mimansa 2025 will feature several exciting and enriching sessions:
- Devdutt Pattanaik will engage in a conversation with Shree Srinivas Joshi.
- Priya Kurian will have a dialogue with Upasna Bisht.
- Prof. Meenakshi F. Paul and Dinesh Sharma will lead a poetry reading session & workshop.
- Dr. Usha Bande will conduct a story-writing/storytelling workshop.
- Alok Singh will facilitate a wordplay workshop.
Additionally, authors will engage directly wi
th young readers in one-on-one sessions. Some of the featured authors include:
- Sohaila Kapoor, author of Koko and the Little Boat.
- Jyotsna Atre, author of Captain Subu and The Jungle Book of Rhymes.
- Kishan Shrimaan, author of Dev Nagri.
- Preeti Sharma Aseem, author of Sapt Sindhu Bharat.
- Manoj Kumar Shiv, author of Geet Gaate Akshar.
- Sonia Dogra, editor of Blooming Quills and moderator of Bachpan Ke Rang, Bado Ke Sang.
- Harini Srinivasan, author of The Curse of Anuganga and Lovestruck & Confused.
- Dr. Sona Sharma, author of Mandeep Meets Mandeep and The Adventure of Boonda and Boondi.
A Special Audio-Video Presentation by Sohaila Kapur
On April 19, renowned artist Sohaila Kapur will present an exclusive audio-visual session on the life of the Anand Brothers — Dev, Chetan and Vijay. This insightful session, held at the multi-purpose hall of Gaiety Theatre, will offer a deep dive into the lives and creative journeys of the celebrated trio.
Mimansa 2025 is not just a celebration of literature but a commitment to nurturing young minds and inspiring the next generation of writers, readers and creative thinkers. The event’s growing popularity over the past two years attests to the festival’s impact, with more and more schools, children and cultural enthusiasts coming together to celebrate the beauty of literature and storytelling.
Supported by sponsors and media partners namely HimachalTonite, Keekli Media Channel, La Himalaya Expedition Private Limited, Brews & Books Cafe, and all the anonymous donors and well-wishers, Mimansa 2025 is set to leave an indelible mark on Shimla’s literary landscape.
As this literary extravaganza continues to grow, it remains a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to shape the hearts and minds of young readers across India. The Mimansa 2025 festival promises to be a vibrant gathering that not only celebrates literature but also paves the way for an enriched cultural exchange for young minds. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, an avid reader or simply a lover of literature, Mimansa 2025 is an event you won’t want to miss!
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Mimansa Season 3 in Shimla, organized by the Department of Language & Culture, HP, and Keekli Charitable Trust, invites all authors, writers, readers, and young creators to celebrate literature and storytelling with engaging workshops and sessions.
MIMANSA 2023 – RECAP
MIMANSA 2024 – RECAP
Get ready for Mimansa Season 3, a spectacular celebration of literature, creativity, and storytelling in Shimla! Taking place from April 18-20, 2025, this dynamic literary festival is a collaboration between the Department of Language & Culture, HP, and Keekli Charitable Trust.
We are thrilled to invite authors, writers, readers, and budding storytellers of all ages to experience a weekend of inspiration, learning, and connection. Whether you’re an aspiring author, an avid reader, or someone who loves the power of stories, Mimansa Season 3 is the place to be.
What’s in Store for You at Mimansa Season 3:
- Inspirational Sessions with celebrated authors and literary professionals
- Interactive Writing Workshops to sharpen your storytelling skills
- Captivating Storytelling sessions for children and families
- Networking and Collaboration opportunities with fellow writers, readers, and creators
- A unique chance to celebrate literature, explore fresh perspectives, and ignite new passions
This literary festival is designed to bring together creators, thinkers, and dreamers—a space where young and experienced voices can exchange ideas and experiences, and everyone can grow together in their literary journeys.
Let’s come together to celebrate words, empower young minds, and ignite creativity. Mimansa Season 3 is more than an event—it’s a movement to foster love for stories, storytelling, and the written word.
Stay tuned for more details on event schedules, workshops, registration, and more! We can’t wait to share this experience with you. A note of appreciation to our sponsors and media partners – HimachalTonite; Keekli; La Himalaya Expedition Pvt Ltd, Brews & Books Cafe, Keekli Book Club & our anonymous donors, who belive in us and support us unconditionally.
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Author Invitation – 15 Jan, 2025
Keekli Charitable Trust invites all children’s writers to participate in Mimansa Season 3, a platform where books will be read, reviewed, and discussed by young readers.
Authors are requested to send a copy of their book (FOC) by 31st January 2025 to the address below.
The best seven books will be selected for the event. Following selection, the Trust will purchase five additional copies of each book for distribution among four young readers and a moderator.
For details about the event and highlights from previous years, visit:
https://keekli.in/mimansa-season-3-a-must-attend-literary-event-for-writers-and-readers/
Event details and timings will be shared later.
Send your books to:
Vandana Bhagra
C/o Keekli Charitable Trust
Brews & Books Café
Samrat Building, The Mall,
Shimla – 171001
Mimansa Season 3: A Must-Attend Literary Event for Writers and Readers
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