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Hyderabad Stories
Hyderabad From Police Action to the Present-Day— Through the Eyes of Its People

Daneesh Majid
Language: English
Duration: 15 minutes
Age: 18 and above

It wasn’t only Partition that left lingering scars on the subcontinent’s psyche. The integration of princely states also brought immense suffering. In Nizam-ruled Hyderabad, Police Action saw violent episodes and political intrigues. Only recently are the secrets of those eight decades coming to light – not through the eyes of those directly responsible for those political tragedies, but from normal citizens whose lives were transformed. This session will explore those overarching events (Police Action, AP formation, Telangana statehood struggles, and the bifurcation), as well as the ignored experiences of those who lived through them. Some under-chronicled facets of Hyderabad’s history include the city’s Urdu landscape since 1948, the Deccans’ rich yet fading leftist folklore, the Middle East’s role in Hyderabadi Muslim economic renaissance after Police Action, the Hyderabadi diaspora in Karachi, micro-histories of the Telangana struggle, and Hyderabad’s cosmopolitanism that has survived its violent, yet necessary, accession to India.

The Real Kashmir Files

The Little Theatre
Language: English
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Age:

The Little Theatre Hyderabad was founded nearly 30 years ago by Shankar Melkote, Vijay Marur and B S Prakash. It aims to popularise reading aloud, to revive the magic of words, in the era of social media.

The Little Theatre Hyderabad has collaborated with the Hyderabad Literary Festival since the Festival’s founding. We try every year to read material reflecting major literary themes of the year, and from books published during the year.

With Kashmiri as the language of focus, we have chosen several pieces by Kashmiri writers, including classic 700-year-old vakhs, and modern poetry and prose. Our readings showcase the unique culture and history of Kashmir. We will also read from Shehernama, published this year by South Side Books, drawing parallels with beauty and tribulations in other parts of India. We hope to showcase shared humanity even in troubled times, and make listeners smile.

Different Tales

Jhansi Lakshmi, MA Aleem, Juveria Asif and Anushka
Language: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi
Duration: 30 minutes
Age: 12 and above

We meet children from all walks of life in “Different Tales.” Full of warmth, tenderness, and derring-do, our heroes embark on adventures across community landscapes as they have fun with friends and even rescue adults. Taking the reader through sites and contexts not often seen in children’s books, “Different Tales” lets you enter the complex world of childhood — with friendships and family, school and home, play and work.

  • Joopka Subhadra’s బడిలనే దోస్తు వూరిలగాదు (Friends in School)
  • M Mujeeb’s چٹائی (The Mat)
  • Jayasree Kalathil’s बोरे वाला [The Sack-cloth Man]

Hyderabad Stories

Lokeshwar
Language:
Duration:
Age:

Dog Detective: The Great Indian Dog Quiz

Anusha Ramanathan
Language: English
Duration: 30 minutes
Age: 14+

Think you know Indian dogs? In this playful, interactive session, author Anusha Ramanathan puts your dog knowledge to the test! Participants guess where different Indian breeds come from on the map, before discovering their unique histories and purposes. Along the way, you’ll meet famous indigenous breeds like the Rajapalayam, Kaikadi and Bully Kutta, as well as resilient community (desi) dogs that thrive across India. This session celebrates the intelligence, adaptability, and rich diversity of India’s dogs, showing that these breeds aren’t just ordinary animals, but living treasures of our country.

Deepa Padmanaban

Language: English
Duration: 20 min
Age: 7+ and Adults

Did you know that cockroaches have inspired the design of robots? Or that a single pigeon defied the odds to save human lives? Or that rats have empathy for fellow rats? From the spider weaving webs in the corners of our living room to the gecko waiting for moths outside our kitchen window, every being we share our home with has something to teach us not just about ourselves, but also about humanity, civilsation, pop culture, history, science and mythology. And this is your chance to learn all that and more.

Mard Bann: A Conversation Through Comics

Alankrita Amaya and Rahil Mohsin, Hallubol
Language: Dakhni, English
Duration: 40 minutes
Number: The more the better!
Age: 12 to 18 years

Join Hallubol’s creators, renowned comic book artist, Rahil Mohsin, and award winning children’s book creator, Alankrita Amaya, for a storytelling session of their comic book, Mard Bann. Wondering what the hype is about? This slice-of-life narrative takes a bold, funny, and relatable look at toxic masculinity, generational baggage, and the everyday pressures of “being a man”, all told in Hallubol’s trademark Dakhni-English style. Settle in for a dynamic reading and stay on for an honest, no-filter chat with the creators about Dakhni culture, comics, and what it really means to break patriarchy, one story at a time. Hallubol is the world’s first Dakhni-English bilingual comic book series that celebrates everyday Dakhni life. Hallubol workshops are designed to spark conversations, creativity, and a whole lot of laughter for both kids and adults.

Whispers from the Hinterland

Dr Tejaswini Yarlagadda and Dr Emani Sivanagi Reddy
Language: English, Telugu
Duration: 20 minutes
Age: 14 and above

Imagine a land so richly woven with history that every footstep uncovers a whisper from the past — a treasure chest of artifacts, forgotten temples, and hidden sites pulsing with the soul of our ancestors. We, as a nation, are truly blessed to inherit this unparalleled legacy. Through our heartfelt project, “Preserve Heritage for Posterity,” we’ve journeyed deep into the heart of our hinterlands, traversing nearly 900 villages across the Telugu states. What began as a mission to spotlight neglected wonders evolved into something extraordinary: not just stories of the artifacts themselves, but tales of serendipitous discovery — the thrill of the find, the secrets unearthed along forgotten paths. Now, let these stories unfold before you.

Hyderabad Stories
Reminiscences of a Hyderabadi

Ismat Mehdi
Language: English
Duration: 15 minutes
Age: 18 and above

Hyderabad has changed not only in its topography , with disappearing rocks and important landmarks, but more importantly  its culture has changed. Families that were earlier joint are now linear with members scattered all over the globe. The young have no idea how we grew up so I thought I would pen for them, an account of my family , its involvement in India’s national struggle. My  schooling , language learning and career in teaching, broadcasting  and directing the Cultural Centre Embassy of India Cairo.

Festival Lineup

Discover the sessions, speakers, and stories waiting for you this year.

Literature

Books and Ideas

Kaavya Dhaara

Poetry Stream

Stage Talks

Creators’ Platform

Science & the City

Where Science meets Culture

Climate Conversations

Dreamcatchers

For Children and Teens

Youngistaan Nukkad

Youth Programmes

Indigenous & Endangered Languages

Storyweavers

Narratives for All Ages

Cultural Events

Interlude

Segue into Performances

Workshops

Exhibitions

Moving Images

Screenings and Interactions

Meet My Book

Authors’ Pitch

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