Usha Uthup inaugurates the 16th edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival

The 16th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) opened on a high note at Allen Park, Kolkata, with a captivating musical performance by the legendary singer, Usha Uthup. Sharing her reflections of a 55-year-long journey in music, Usha emphasised the joy of living in the moment and the timeless pleasure of reading books. “WhatsApp and Instagram are fine, but we need to get back to books,” she urged, inspiring the younger generation to reconnect with literature. Her rendition of the "Ganesh Vandana" and "Skyfall" from James Bond added a melodic charm to the opening ceremony, blending tradition and modernity.
The highlight of the inauguration was a heartfelt tribute to the late filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who was honored for his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema.
Anjum Katyal, Director, AKLF said,“We look forward with great anticipation to the 16th edition of AKLF 2025 which was inaugurated today. Join us in celebrating the whole spectrum of writers and books, from established names to new writing, from poetry to children and young adult readers.”