Moradabad is set to host Udeesha 2026 – The Moradabad Literature Festival, a five-day celebration of literature, art, music, and cultural dialogue from January 22 to 26, 2026. The festival aims to firmly place Moradabad on the cultural map of western Uttar Pradesh through a thoughtfully curated programme that brings together nationally acclaimed voices alongside regional talent.
Spread across prominent venues including Dushyant Manch, Ramganga Lawns, and Jaun Elia Zone, Udeesha 2026 will feature an expansive line-up of literary discussions, poetry readings, theatre, Dastangoi, folk and classical music performances, Bhojpuri cultural sessions, creative workshops, and panel discussions spanning cinema, media, technology, spirituality, and Indian knowledge traditions.
The inaugural evening will be marked by special performances from actor Ashutosh Rana and acclaimed singer Sukhwinder Singh. Over the following four days, the festival will host an illustrious roster of speakers and performers, including renowned poet Wasim Barelvi, singer and actor Manoj Tiwari, poet and lyricist Alok Srivastava, journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, author Chetan Bhagat, food historian Pushpesh Pant, poet Gauhar Raza, writer and screenwriter Akshat Gupta, television personality Ila Arun, poet and academic Kumar Vishwas, among many others.
A Grand Mushaira and Poetry Conference will stand out as one of the festival’s key highlights, celebrating India’s rich poetic traditions and contemporary literary voices.
With free and open access to most sessions, Udeesha 2026 invites students, readers, artists, writers, and citizens to actively engage with ideas shaping India’s cultural and intellectual landscape, while celebrating Moradabad’s own literary and cultural heritage.
