They say writing is a lonely job. It's true. Most writers who struggle to finish their work often seek solitude, a space devoid of distractions, to allow the free flow of thoughts from the mind onto the page. But from what I’ve seen, something like a writer's block has nothing to do with external disturbances. It’s usually a lack of inspiration or motivation. Both of which can be rekindled by remembering why we fell in love with the craft in the first place. Literary festivals are a great way to do just that by immersing yourself in a space bubbling with conversations, creativity, and moments pregnant with material for your next project.

Hortus is an art and literary festival taking place in Kozhikode that promises to spark your imagination and reignite your passion for writing. Organized by Malayala Manorama, a media giant with deep literary roots, Hortus takes its name from Hortus Malabaricus, a 17th century encyclopedia documenting the varieties and medicinal properties of the Malabar coast. The festival envisions itself as a garden of creativity where literature, music and art blossom to nurture us minds. Kozhikode was also recently christened India's first UNESCO City of Literature. The humanity, strong sense of justice and freedom of expression that the city is characterized by makes it a perfect venue for Hortus, a festival that celebrates voices across borders, genres, and mediums.

Taking place in early November 2024, Hortus spans across multiple venues on Kozhikode’s serene beachside. Over 400 writers, speakers, and artists, both from India and abroad, will grace this multidisciplinary festival, engaging in insightful discussions, thought-provoking performances, and explorations of the arts in all their forms. From internationally renowned authors to India’s celebrated voices across languages, the lineup promises to be both eclectic and enriching.

Apart from the panel discussions, the festival embraces a wide spectrum of artistic experiences — curated book fairs with over 300,000 titles, a visual art exhibition curated by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, culinary experiences that capture the essence of the region, and performances ranging from music, theater, and poetry to stand-up comedy; with even an open mic for homegrown bands.

Malayala Manorama, the driving force behind Hortus, is no stranger to the literary world. With over 136 years of media excellence, the group has not only shaped public discourse in Kerala but also nurtured the cultural fabric of the region through platforms like Bhashaposhini, meaning 'nourisher of the language', Kerala’s first literary magazine. The festival itself is a continuation of this legacy—an invitation to engage with the vibrant creative landscape they’ve cultivated for over a century.

I've heard many wordsmiths from George Carlin to Javed Akhtar talk about how the quality of language affects our quality of thought. But beyond the vocabulary there are hundreds of communicative tools and devices that gives you new avenues to to both understand and express yourself and the world better. Even though we can never read all the books we want in one lifetime, festivals like Hortus gives us a chance to speedrun through the perspectives, voices and narratives shaping the contemporary world. Most of all, an immersive experience like this will fill you up with the spark renders all procrastination and self-doubt powerless which is invaluable.

Hortus is taking place from November 1-3 at Kozhikode beach. Find out more about the event here.

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