✦ Mysuru · Est. 2010

Mysuru’s Home for Books
Since 2010

Nurturing readers, celebrating literature, empowering communities across Mysuru since 2010.

The Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust is Mysuru's foremost literary organisation: home to thriving book clubs in English and Kannada, an annual literature festival, and a deep commitment to social outreach through the power of reading.

15+ Years of Literary Heritage
20+ Active Book Clubs
10 Literature Festival Editions
200+ Books Released & Celebrated
01 📚
Book Clubs

English and Kannada reading circles for children, adults, and senior citizens. Over 20 active clubs across Mysuru, meeting regularly to discuss, debate, and celebrate books.

02 🖊️
Book Releases

Mysuru's most trusted platform for author-reader connection. We host thoughtful, curated book launch events that celebrate local and national literary talent.

03 ✍️
Authors

Champions of Kannada and English literary voices — from celebrated names to debut writers. We connect authors with readers through talks, readings, and mentorship.

04 🗓️
Monthly Meets

Regular monthly gatherings where members meet over a chosen book to discuss, debate, and share perspectives — building lasting friendships around the joy of reading.

05 🤝
Charitable Outreach

Reading programmes in government schools, shelter homes, and institutions for differently-abled students. Literature as a bridge to social equity.

06 🎊
Literature Festivals

The annual Mysuru Literature Festival, Karnataka's beloved full-scale bilingual literary gathering, attracting acclaimed authors from across India and the world since 2017.

Literature as a
Way of Life

Six interconnected wings that together make Mysuru a city where reading, writing, and community are inseparable.

Shubha Sanjay Urs
Shubha Sanjay Urs Founder & Managing Trustee

A Vision Born of
Love for Words

In 2010, Shubha Sanjay Urs founded Mysuru's first English Book Club: one for children, one for adults. What began as intimate reading circles grew into a city-wide literary movement.

Today, as Founder, Managing Trustee, and Festival Director, Shubha leads the Trust's work spanning book clubs, charitable outreach, and the Mysuru Literature Festival, which she curated from its very first edition in 2017.

Her vision: a Mysuru where every child, every woman, every community has access to the joy of reading.

From Our Community

Notable Events

A living feed of our events, book releases, and moments straight from our social channels.

    As Covered By

    Stay connected with Mysuru's literary heartbeat

    Building Mysuru's
    Literary Soul

    From a single book circle in 2010 to a city-wide movement: our story is one of words, community, and an unwavering belief that reading changes lives.

    Mysuru Book Clubs community gathering
    2010

    The First Circles

    English Book Club for Children and Adults founded in Mysuru.

    2012

    Kannada Odugara Okkoota

    Kannada Book Club established, bringing regional literature to the fore.

    2015

    Invitation-Based Memberships

    Book club membership opened to readers across Mysuru.

    2017

    Literary Forum & First Lit Fest

    Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust established. First Mysuru Literature Festival curated.

    2026

    10th Literature Festival

    Continuing to grow with worldwide participants and audiences.

    A City That Reads Together Grows Together

    In 2010, Shubha Sanjay Urs founded the first English Book Club in Mysuru: two small reading circles, one for children and one for adults. It was a simple, powerful idea: that reading together builds community.

    By 2012, the Kannada Odugara Okkoota joined the fold, ensuring that Mysuru's regional literary heritage had a home alongside its English counterpart. In 2015, invitation-based memberships opened the book clubs to a wider circle of Mysuru readers.

    In 2017, Shubha curated the inaugural Mysuru Literature Festival, a platform for authors and readers to meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate the written word.

    Today, the Trust runs over 20 book clubs catering to diverse groups: senior citizens, children, the underprivileged, and differently-abled students. As part of social outreach program, Our members visit orphanages and special schools, carrying books and stories into spaces where they matter most.

    We believe that literature is not a luxury. It is a right.

    What We Do Every Day

    To promote literacy, encourage reading, and deepen appreciation for the written word amongst all sections of society, for the development and betterment of the reading habit in Mysuru and beyond.

    The City We're Building

    A Mysuru where every child grows up as a reader, every community has access to literature, and the city is known across India as a place where words are valued, celebrated, and shared.

    Board of Trustees

    Shubha Sanjay Urs
    Shubha Sanjay Urs
    Founder, Managing Trustee & Festival Director

    The driving force behind Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust and the Mysuru Literature Festival. Since 2010, Shubha has built Mysuru's foremost literary ecosystem: from a single reading circle to a city-wide movement spanning book clubs, charitable outreach, book releases, and an internationally recognised annual literature festival. She has participated in the Jaipur Bookmark Director's Roundtable and is a voice for regional literary festivals in India.

    Nagarathna Palyam
    Nagarathna Palyam
    Secretary

    Secretary of the Trust, coordinating its governance, meetings and the smooth running of its literary and charitable programmes.

    Vinaya Prabhavathy
    Vinaya Prabhavathy
    Treasurer

    Treasurer of the Trust, overseeing its finances and stewardship so its literary and community initiatives continue to thrive.

    Meenakshi Kumar
    Meenakshi Kumar
    Trustee

    A committed member of the Board, contributing to the Trust's literary and charitable activities across Mysuru.

    Rageswari Som
    Rageswari Som
    Trustee

    A valued trustee, actively involved in shaping the Trust's cultural and community engagement initiatives.

    Four Circles, One Community

    English
    English Book Club: Adults

    Mysuru's first English reading circle for adults, bringing together readers across the city for monthly discussions on fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between.

    2010
    English
    English Book Club: Children

    Nurturing the next generation of readers. A dedicated space for young Mysureans to discover the joy of books, storytelling, and imagination.

    2010
    English
    English Book Club for Young Adults

    Nurturing the next generation of readers. A dedicated space for young Mysureans to discover the joy of books, storytelling, and imagination.

    2010
    ಕನ್ನಡ
    Kannada Odugara Okkoota

    Mysuru's Kannada reading circle, celebrating regional literature, authors, and the richness of the Kannada literary tradition.

    2012

    Your Donation Funds
    A Reading Revolution

    All donations to Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

    Donate Now Contact the Trust

    Where Books Find Their
    First Readers

    Mysuru's most trusted platform for author-reader engagement. We curate intimate, thoughtful book launch events that give every book the welcome it deserves.

    Mysuru Book Clubs book launch of Inner Trek by Mohan Rangarao

    Books We Have Celebrated



    Malgudiya Mayakarana Mane

    Malgudiya Mayakarana Mane

    Sita Bhaskar · tr. Jayashree Jagannatha & Shubha Sanjay Urs

    A contemporary Kannada fiction novel, written by Sita Bhaskar and translated to Kannada by Jayashree Jagannatha & Shubha Sanjay Urs. Set around the real-life dilapidated Mysuru home of the legendary writer R. K. Narayan — the 'magician who created Malgudi' — the story follows Rukmini Aunty and the women of her neighbourhood who band together to save the heritage house from demolition. A tale of conviction, courage and the quiet grit of Mysuru's women.

    The Inner Charioteer

    The Inner Charioteer

    R. Balasubramaniam

    Modern leadership has a paradox at its heart — we rush to manage others before we have learned to govern ourselves. The Inner Charioteer turns to the Gita, not as a distant text but as a practical operating manual for human existence. Born from four decades of questions lived out in the field — among tribal communities in the Western Ghats, in policy corridors, in the slow discipline of institution-building — it offers a way of becoming inwardly anchored while remaining outwardly accountable.

    Mysuru Lancers

    Mysuru Lancers

    Anil Raje Urs

    Towards the end of the First World War, a crucial battle took place in Haifa on 23 September 1918, connected to the erstwhile princely State of Mysore. Soldiers of the Mysore Lancers — a cavalry regiment armed only with lances and swords — defeated the better-equipped Ottoman forces in one of the most important encounters of the Great War for the Allies. It remains significant for military historians as one of the last victorious cavalry charges in a modern war.

    Soulful Symphony

    Soulful Symphony

    Dr. Hemamalini Lakshman

    Released and celebrated at a Mysuru Book Clubs launch event.

    Core Strength

    Core Strength

    Roopa Pai

    How one family's tenacity, resilience and quiet faith built India's largest tyre valve company. Way back in 1975, mechanical-electrical engineer Maruti Vinayak Gokarn bet his life savings on an audacious dream — to build a world-class automotive tyre valve company in India. Fifty years later, with 70 per cent of the domestic market, the 500-crore Triton Valves Limited stands as testimony to human resolve. Narrated with verve and warmth by award-winning author Roopa Pai, Core Strength documents the resolute rise of a remarkable Mysuru-based company and the inspiring family at its core.

    ಗಂಧದ ಗುಡಿ — Gandhada Gudi

    ಗಂಧದ ಗುಡಿ — Gandhada Gudi

    A Journey to Remember — the journey behind the film. Frames from Karnataka's last wild places, field notes, and unseen moments with Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar. 275 pages, full colour, bound as an heirloom.

    Re-Source | Rethinking Urban Water Future

    Re-Source | Rethinking Urban Water Future

    Released and celebrated at a Mysuru Book Clubs launch event.

    Dashakada Sambhramke Baraha Bagina

    Dashakada Sambhramke Baraha Bagina

    Released and celebrated at a Mysuru Book Clubs launch event.

    Wadiyara Kalada Mysuru

    Wadiyara Kalada Mysuru

    Released and celebrated at a Mysuru Book Clubs launch event.

    Bappuji Nenapu

    Bappuji Nenapu

    Released and celebrated at a Mysuru Book Clubs launch event.

    If Gandhi Returned

    If Gandhi Returned

    In a world fractured by division, corruption, and endless conflict, an impossible miracle unfolds: Mahatma Gandhi rises again. Reborn in the chaos of modern India, the Father of the Nation awakens to a country he barely recognises. Armed only with his unyielding principles of non-violence, truth and selfless service, Gandhi embarks on a daring quest to reclaim the soul of his beloved nation. A gripping tale of hope, resilience, and the timeless power of one man's unbreakable spirit.

    Longing for an Elsewhere

    Longing for an Elsewhere

    Longing for an Elsewhere traces the colonial ancestry of India's contemporary embrace of economic development. It argues that the origins of the developmental state are anchored in colonized Indian elites' preoccupation with emulating the industrial modernity of Europe and the United States. Drawing on underexplored archival evidence, it examines the cultural factors that guided the princely state of Mysore's development efforts under British indirect rule (1881–1947), building toward a cultural theory of the developmental state.

    It Isn't Just 28 Days. Period.

    It Isn't Just 28 Days. Period.

    A compilation of free verses exploring the emotional journey women experience during their menstrual cycles. The poems revolve around relatable yet often misunderstood feelings, incorporating subtle humour, opportunities for introspection, and valuable insights drawn from understanding the female experience.

    India and Her Futures

    India and Her Futures

    Gopalkrishna Gandhi

    India and Her Futures is a collection of essays by one of India's most prolific public intellectuals, Gopalkrishna Gandhi.As a former public servant, diplomat and scholar, his contribution to thinking about South Asian and world history is a debt many owe him. Reflecting on a wide canvas, including India's culture, diversity and the richness of its literary and intellectual history, Gandhi has been a committed loyalist of the essay as a form of expression through decades of writing for news dailies and monthly magazines. These curated essays from his larger oeuvre have allowed him the precision of form to express the urgency and vitality of its varied subjects.

    From Reverie to Requiem

    From Reverie to Requiem

    Subbaiah NM

    Ever wondered what emerges when whimsy meets heartbreak—or when joy is shadowed by sorrow? From Reverie To Requiem, takes you through 22 unforgettable poems that navigate the full arc of human emotion. From playful moments with pets and eccentric characters, nostalgic familial love, oneness with the higher power, to the raw ache of grief, love and the sobering weight of reality - this collection is a vivid tapestry of light, darkness and imagination. Each poem captures a fleeting truth, a whispered thought, a memory that lingers. A collection not just to be read, but to be felt.

    Sing Dance and Lead

    Sing Dance and Lead

    Hindol Sengupta

    An indispensable book for all leaders and professionals, Sing, Dance and Lead expertly combines ancient Indian philosophy and wisdom with modern management principles to deliver insightful lessons on life and leadership. It brings alive pioneering ideas of leadership from one of the most impactful spiritual leaders in history. Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON, known as the Hare Krishna movement, which has become a respected global organization. This book not only looks at his leadership in the light of existing theories and knowledge systems but also how his profound teachings went far beyond.

    Chandiranillada Irulugalu

    Chandiranillada Irulugalu

    Ravishankar Bale

    "Chandiranillada Irulugalu" (literally meaning "Nights of the Moonless Sky") is a historical social thriller fiction book set in 16th-century South India during the Vijayanagara Empire era. It is written by N. S. Vishwanath and translated into Kannada by Ravishankar Bale (Ravi Bale).

    The Secrets We Keep

    The Secrets We Keep

    Divyata Rajaram

    Four women, four lives teetering on the brink in Dubai, a city of glittering dreams and harsh realities. A year after tragedy and scandal shattered their world, the dust is far from settled. The return of Sakina, a disgraced friend back from exile, ignites a volatile chain reaction. Her presence forces Rupali, Anjali, and Naina to confront the tangled web of secrets that bind and fracture them. Can they rebuild what was lost, or will the shadows of that fateful year, define them forever? As hidden agendas and dangerous desires resurface, the friends are thrust into a treacherous current of love, ambition, and betrayal. Their meticulously crafted lives begin to crumble as they realize that the past is never truly buried and the most dangerous secrets are the ones they keep from themselves.

    Sangama Kathegalu (Pastorale Stories)

    Sangama Kathegalu (Pastorale Stories)

    Rajalakshmi N. Rao · ed. Chandan Gowda

    Rajalakshmi N. Rao, a major modernist writer, has the rare distinction of having written fiction in both Kannada and English. This volume gathers the stories in Sangama — her 1956 Kannada anthology — along with five later Kannada stories, and, for the first time, a dozen of her English stories and her own translations of two of them. A significant contribution to Indian writing in English, edited and translated by writer and academic Chandan Gowda.

    The Temporary Wife

    The Temporary Wife

    A contract marriage meant to end — until love rewrites the terms. Sindhu Rani, long labelled bad luck and unwanted, seizes an unexpected proposal from Raja as a chance for independence, even if it means eventually letting him go. Raja has everything — wealth, power, and a past he'd rather forget — and no intention of making the marriage last. But as they play their roles to perfection amid opulence, deception and jealousy, the line between duty and desire begins to blur.

    The Hidden Life of a Yogi

    The Hidden Life of a Yogi

    This book sketches the colourful and adventurous journey of a restless seeker who discovers — in his quest for spiritual realisation and moksha — that the body's instinctive, intuitive awareness is a more truthful and reliable source of knowledge than a father's preaching, a guru's teachings, or the wisdom of sacred scriptures. Karia's journey from Kariappa to Carry to Hari Krishna, and finally to Swami Hari Krishna Anand, underlines the simple truth of life.

    One Point Two Billion

    One Point Two Billion

    Mahesh Rao

    Traversing thirteen Indian states, One Point Two Billion illuminates the exhilarating diversity of the second most populous nation in the world. Moving from towering megacity to remote detention camp, from the canals of rural Punjab to an exclusive club in Delhi, these remarkable stories offer glimpses into the loves, triumphs and tragedies of everyday life in a world torn between tradition and the shock of modernity. In a mesmerizing collection laced with biting humour, filled with danger and hope, these stories from the award-winning author of ‘Smoke is Rising’ portray the vast array of lives existing in the uneasy balance of Indian society.

    Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi

    Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi

    Dr. R Balu

    Power Within captures the civilizational wisdom of Bharat through the lived experience of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book delves into the fifty years of his public life and explores how he discovered his purpose, the seeds of which were sown in his formative years. Poignant anecdotes from his colleagues shed light on how his relentless hard work and communicative approach propelled him to the prime ministerial post. They also underscore his constant quest for self-discovery in the service of others. In a carefully crafted narrative, R. Balasubramaniam captures Modi’s leadership journey and interprets it through Western and Indic lenses, amalgamating them to provide a road map for those who aspire to a life of public service.

    The Power of Yoga

    The Power of Yoga

    Yamini Muthanna

    The Power of Yoga explores the profound nature of yoga by demystifying ancient Sanskrit texts on the subject and a plethora of philosophies governing its practice and making them relevant to present times. While Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide us the roadmap to understand the way of this science, the 21 Yoga Sequences for modern lifestyle-related disorders elaborated upon in this book make it a valuable aid for the modern-day practitioner, more so since it is presented in simple language without diluting the authenticity of the techniques.

    Seasoned for Family and Friends

    Seasoned for Family and Friends

    Morvarid Fernandez

    The aroma of baking bread, warm spicy apple pie or just plain fried eggs and crispy bacon, unpretentious food but are these some of your favourite recollections linked to home and hearth. In ‘Seasoned for Family and Friends’, and unusual and quirky recipe book, this is where the author takes you. You will be gifted with culinary hints, introduced to new and unusual ingredients from around the words, while the common and well known are in combinations that are quite different, resulting in some very delectable food. Written with warmth and sincerity, the author connects to the reader instantly. So walk into Morvarid’s kitchen anytime of the day, breakfast, lunch or dinner, and enjoy an assortment of delicious recipes to warm the heart.

    Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story

    Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story

    Karan Thapar

    In Devil's Advocate, Karan dives deep into his life to come up with many stories of warm and lasting friendships, such as with Benazir Bhutto, whom he met while he was an undergraduate. He also talks about his long association with Aung San Suu Kyi and Rajiv Gandhi. However, not all friendships lasted - for example, with L.K. Advani, with whom he shared a close bond until an unfortunate disagreement over an interview caused a falling-out. The tension generated during an interview has spilled over off-screen multiple times, and Karan discusses these incidents in detail. For instance, when Amitabh Bachchan lost his cool during a post-interview lunch or when Kapil Dev cried like a baby. And there's the untold story of two of his most controversial interviews - with Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi.

    Savarkar: A Contested Legacy

    Savarkar: A Contested Legacy

    Vikram Sampath

    Decades after his death, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar continues to uniquely influence India's political scenario. An optimistic advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity in his treatise on the 1857 War of Independence, what was it that transformed him into a proponent of 'Hindutva'? A former president of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar was a severe critic of the Congress's appeasement politics. After Gandhi's murder, Savarkar was charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination. While he was acquitted by the court, Savarkar is still alleged to have played a role in Gandhi's assassination, a topic that is often discussed and debated.In this concluding volume of the Savarkar series, exploring a vast range of original archival documents from across India and outside it, in English and several Indian languages, historian Vikram Sampath brings to light the life and works of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of the most contentious political thinkers and leaders of the twentieth century.

    Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum

    Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum

    Vikram Sampath

    Over two centuries have passed since his death on 4 May 1799, yet Tipu Sultan’s contested legacy continues to perplex India and her contemporary politics. A fascinating and enigmatic figure in India’s military past, he remains a modern historian’s biggest puzzle as he simultaneously means different things to different people, depending on how one chooses to look at his life and its events. Meticulously researched, authoritative and unputdownable, Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760–1799) opens a window to the life and times of one of the most debated figures from India’s history.

    Travel Tales and Close Encounters

    Travel Tales and Close Encounters

    Maithili Rao and Rinki Roy Bhattacharya

    The journey is more important than its destination. A truism whatever the mode of travel. Trains, planes, cars, buses, bikes and on foot too. One may miss the destination, but can anyone forget the journey? This anthology brings together many journeys of so many people from various backgrounds. Memory may blur details. What remains is the experience...anticipation, the lingering taste of shared food and stories, chance encounters with eccentrics, mishaps and missing papers.

    Rukmini Aunty and the R.K. Narayan Fan Club

    Rukmini Aunty and the R.K. Narayan Fan Club

    Sita Bhaskar

    Rukmini aunty’s newly built house in Mysore is near a dilapidated relic with its roof caved in, marring the view from her specially designed Zen-like meditation nook. She abhors the house that reeks of litigation and lawsuits and wants it gone, until she discovers that the house belonged to the illustrious writer, R.K. Narayan. It is close to being torn down brick by brick, when the city authorities step in and designate it as a Heritage building and stop the demolition. The fate of Narayan’s abode hangs between the builder’s scalpel and the limited coffers of the city, while they scramble for funds to buy it from his heirs at the prevailing market rate. Only Rukmini aunty and the ‘R.K. Narayan Fan Club’ ladies group in her neighbourhood can now save the house.

    You Cannot Miss This Flight: Essays on Emerging India

    You Cannot Miss This Flight: Essays on Emerging India

    Capt. Gopinath

    Captain G.R. Gopinath is an unusual industry leader. Whether it was setting up Air Deccan to get train travellers in the air or jumping into the fray of Indian politics, Gopinath does not merely put his money where his mouth is - he takes his mouth to the scene of action. Unsurprisingly, he has been an active and provocative columnist over the years. Nothing is off the table for him, not business rivals, nor political bosses. He is honest about corruption, he is angry at the system, and he is a believer in the power of entrepreneurship. Gopinath's is a brave and important voice in Indian business and media. You Cannot Miss This Flight is a selection of his writings in the past decade and a bit. As thought-provoking as they are delightful, these essays capture the breadth of Captain Gopinath's interests and the depth of his commitment.

    The Forbidden Quest of Mysore

    The Forbidden Quest of Mysore

    Puneeth JH

    Around 1500 a famous astrophysicist Yagnabhatta created an ancient enigma, Gandabaerunda. To protect it from falling into the wrong hands, the great King Krishna Devaraya hid it in Mysore. Ever since then, the chase behind it has never stopped.Back in 2017, there lived a self-claimed archaeologist, Amar. He loved an intellectual girl, Pooja. Like every other Indian love story, they too had hurdles. Pooja was elder, and her father was rich. Their families were of a different caste and spoke different languages. Yet they never stopped loving each other.Embrace into the city of palaces as Amar and Pooja go in search of an impossible mission. Can the couple overcome the trials to decode the hidden secrets of the King Raja Wodeyar III? Can they fight the prejudices of the Indian society to get married?

    War: The Ugly Mistress

    War: The Ugly Mistress

    Dr. Latha Muthanna

    This is a historical novel that explores the devastating impact of conflict through the eyes of a young girl named Angeline, whose carefree childhood in pre-Second World War Singapore is abruptly shattered by the brutal Japanese invasion. The narrative blends Angeline's personal struggle for survival with broader historical and journalistic accounts of global warfare, emphasizing how political decisions indiscriminately drag innocent civilians into destruction. Ultimately, the book serves as an impassioned plea against the horrors of war, framing it as a destructive force that robs ordinary people of their lives and peace.

    Indian-American... Then Indian Again

    Indian-American... Then Indian Again

    Lakshmi Palecanda

    It is the tale of an average Indian woman who emigrated to USA, and then returned to settle in India, 18 years later. Whether it is mistaking a cake doughnut for spicy vada, suffering sticker shock at the furniture store or watching the ‘tokey’ get its shot of spices, or being reintroduced to Indian bureaucracy, family gossip or the crazy traffic, this book is chock-full of real experiences.....Indian-American … then Indian again vividly portrays the incidents in the life of an average Indian-American. Waking up in the US for the first time, the first moments of pride and fear at home ownership, the inevitable trips back to the home country, the pain endured while grieving alone … these are unforgettable experiences faced by every immigrant to America, whether Indian or not.

    Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras

    Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras

    Radhika Iyengar

    Banaras, Uttar Pradesh. A place where life and death co-exist in the most unimaginable way. The Doms are a Dalit sub-caste in Banaras designated by tradition to perform the Hindu rite of cremation. Fire on the Ganges is the first attempt to chronicle the everyday realities of the Doms. It plunges into Banaras's historical past, while narrowing its lens to a few spirited characters from the Dom community. Through their tales of struggle and survival, loss and ambition, betrayal and love, it tells the at-times-heartbreaking, at-times-exhilarating story of a community struggling to find a place beyond that accorded to it by ancient tradition.

    Sugarcoated Seasons: Baked With Love

    Sugarcoated Seasons: Baked With Love

    Moksha Sharma

    With the launch of Sugar-Coated Seasons, Chef Moksha Sharma creates a unique blend of sweet, seasonal and innovative recipes. She lifts the curtain on her kitchen, where she teaches how bakers at all levels of proficiency can make the best use out of beautiful, organic, seasonal fruits and ingredients to create new baked goodies. These mesmerizingly delicious desserts are guaranteed to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth!

    Every Peck a Rainbow

    Every Peck a Rainbow

    Kavita Rathna

    Kavita is good at grasping what is ambiguous yet strong, personal yet cosmic, momentary yet eternal, local yet universal. A mixture of pangs of melancholy and stoicism. The experience of separation and lost connections is without attachment. The pathos does not lead to desperation or anxiety or helplessness or bitterness. It leads to experiencing, understanding, resolving and letting go. In such poems are whispers of insights and intimations of understanding.

    Crimson Fall: A Ronny & Jo Mystery

    Crimson Fall: A Ronny & Jo Mystery

    Tara Dee

    A search for a missing 26-year-old sends Aniruddha Jha and Joyita Roy-Ronny & Jo-into the underbelly of IT businesses in Washington, D.C., and the private lives of vulnerable Indian tech workers. With deception and lies at every turn, there's more than one disturbing reason for the young man's disappearance, and the stakes are raised with a deadly encounter on the Capital Beltway. Someone is out to terminate Ronny and Jo's search. CRIMSON FALL is the first book in the exciting new series: RONNY & JO MYSTERIES.

    Jacarandas Are a Deep Shade of Blue

    Jacarandas Are a Deep Shade of Blue

    Johannes Manjrekar

    This volume, selected and compiled by Nandini Manjrekar, exhibits what made Johannes Manjrekar one of India’s beloved haibun practitioners. The pieces collected here reveal Johannes’ mastery over the craft and his acute sense of observation, drawing from his love for photography.

    On The Banks of The Cauvery

    On The Banks of The Cauvery

    Lakshmi Palecanda

    ‘On the Banks of the Cauvery’ is a collection of richly emotional stories of people from India, specifically South India. The stories in this collection bring to vivid life the India of the nurse, the doctor, the construction worker, the house-maid, the homemaker, and such other real people. These are stories of strong and complex women and men living their lives circumscribed by their class, caste, social status and culture in ways that lays bare their true selves, be they absolutely honest or abjectly hypocritical. Of these stories, two have won The Sunday Herald Short Story Contest.

    ...And then I met Him

    ...And then I met Him

    Shobha Dove

    'And then I Met Him' is an eventful autobiographical account of a committed teacher and educationist who served in different parts of India. She rode the shaky moments of life with great uprightness, fortitude and integrity to her profession, finding opportunities to effect change in her realm whether it is in the northern terrain or southern woodland or in a metropolis. A passionate educationist paddling through adverse situations, shaken but not weakened, she firmly believes that there is nothing greater in life than being faithful to one’s calling. This simple narrative is an autobiography, adventure story, and the extraordinary saga of unrelenting courage.

    The Maverick Maharaja

    The Maverick Maharaja

    Deepti Navaratna

    The Maverick Maharaja: The Life and Times of His Highness Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar by Dr. Deepti Navaratna is an intimate, paradox-filled biography that explores the multi-faceted genius of the last ruling Maharaja of Mysore. Instead of focusing solely on the politics of his crown, the book takes a unique "know-the-man-through-his-muse" approach to humanize the king. It documents how he remarkably straddled opposing worlds: he was a classical Carnatic music composer whose structures were influenced by Western symphony, an Advaita Vedanta scholar who engaged with Western philosophy, and a visionary political statesman who championed post-independence democracy, environmental conservation, and scientific advancements like aviation.

    Of Bug, Bee and Beast

    Of Bug, Bee and Beast

    Devaki Panini

    Of Bug, Bee and Beast: A book of poetry for young adults is a humorous poetry collection that shines a spotlight on often-overlooked creatures like insects, spiders, and lesser-known marine life rather than popular, larger wildlife. Written by an environmental lawyer, the poems use a witty and wry tone to draw clever parallels between animal behaviors and human eccentricities. Ultimately, the book serves as a creative plea for ecological empathy, highlighting how human actions and ambition threaten the fragile ecosystems of these tiny, essential creatures.

    Musings of Life

    Musings of Life

    Sqn. Ldr. Paridhei Singh (Retd.)

    Musings of Life is a motivational poetry collection written in simple English to offer readers comfort, inspiration, and fresh perspectives on everyday experiences. Through reflective verses, the book explores the deep beauty of human emotions, resilience, and the life journeys we all share.

    Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas

    Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas

    Mohan Ranga Rao

    A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet. After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, retired Indian businessman Mohan Ranga Rao makes a vow: if he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarovar—a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure. With a blend of humor, honesty, and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

    Timeless Mahindra

    Timeless Mahindra

    Adil Jal Darukhanawala

    Timeless Mahindra is a comprehensive, 332-page premium coffee table book that chronicles the definitive 75-year history of Mahindra & Mahindra from its humble steel-trading beginnings to becoming a global automotive powerhouse. Written by veteran Indian automotive journalist and historian Adil Jal Darukhanawala, the book traces the brand's iconic journey through the lens of Indian nation-building, post-WWII history, and cultural identity.

    Kannaa Muchhe Kaade Goode

    Kannaa Muchhe Kaade Goode

    Preethi Nagraj

    The book Kanna Muchhe... Kaade Goode… by Preethi Nagaraj is a highly acclaimed autobiography of the legendary Kannada theatre artist, singer, and actress Padma Shri Dr. B. Jayashree. Journalist and author Preethi Nagaraj collaborated closely with her to pen down and structure this life story.

    Host Your Book
    Release With Us

    Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust offers authors a curated, dignified platform to launch their books to Mysuru's most engaged reading community. We handle curation, invitations, and a thoughtful audience.

    Get in Touch

    What We Offer

    A curated, intellectually engaged audience of book club members and readers
    A skilled moderator/interlocutor for author conversations
    Press and media coverage through established relationships
    Promotion through book club networks and social media
    Post-event archival and documentation

    Literature as a
    Force for Good

    Books do not just entertain; they empower. Our charitable programmes carry the gift of reading to communities across Mysuru that need it most.

    Mysuru Book Clubs charitable outreach

    Where We Show Up

    🏫
    Government School Reading Clubs

    We run active reading clubs in government schools across Mysuru, placing books in children's hands and building reading habits early. Trust members visit regularly, reading aloud and encouraging discussion.

    🏠
    Shelter Home Reading Sessions

    Our members visit shelter homes and orphanages to read to children and adults, offering stories, companionship, and a window to other worlds through books.

    🤲
    Differently-Abled & Special Schools

    Reading programmes designed for differently-abled and intellectually-challenged students, ensuring that the joy of literature reaches every child regardless of ability.

    👩
    Women & Girl-Child Education

    Supporting the education of the girl-child through targeted donations and reading empowerment programmes, with a focus on women's voices in literature and life.

    When Mysuru Needs Us, We Are There

    2018
    Kodagu Flood Relief

    Contributed to flood-affected victims and families in Kodagu district following the devastating floods.

    2020–21
    COVID-19 Support

    Partnered with the Mysore District Administration during the COVID pandemic with donations and community support.

    Ongoing
    Girl-Child Education

    Sustained contributions towards the education of underprivileged girl-children in and around Mysuru.

    Be Part of the Story

    Whether you give your time as a volunteer reader or support us through a donation, every contribution creates lasting impact in the lives of Mysuru's most deserving communities.

    Volunteer With Us Donate to the Trust
    MLF
    ✦ 10th Edition · 2026

    Mysuru
    Literature
    Festival

    ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ
    View 2026 Edition
    Mysuru Literature Festival 2026 Logo Mysuru Literature Festival
    2026 Festival Identity

    Karnataka's Beloved Full-Scale
    Bilingual Literary Gathering

    The Mysuru Literature Festival was born in 2017 from a simple conviction: that Mysuru, a city steeped in culture and intellectual heritage, deserved its own literary festival of the highest order.

    Each year, the Festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, historians, filmmakers, and thinkers from across India and the world, in conversation with Mysuru's engaged, curious audience.

    Over nine editions, the Festival has hosted former Chief Election Commissioners, Padma Shri awardees, celebrated filmmakers, NDTV journalists, historians, novelists, and wildlife conservationists. Entry has always been free, because we believe great literature belongs to everyone.

    The Festival is presented bilingually, in English and Kannada, honouring both the cosmopolitan and the rooted character of Mysuru.

    10 Editions Completed
    2017 Year Founded
    Free Always Free to Attend
    🌍 Worldwide Participants

    Voices That Have Graced Our Stage

    Jeffrey Archer
    Jeffrey Archer
    Bestselling British Author & Former MP
    Jayanth Kaikini
    Jayanth Kaikini
    Kannada Poet, Lyricist & Story Writer
    Romulus Whitaker
    Romulus Whitaker
    Wildlife Conservationist & Herpetologist
    Banu Mushtaq
    Banu Mushtaq
    Writer & Activist · Int'l Booker Winner
    Manjamma Jogathi
    Manjamma Jogathi
    Padma Shri · Jogati Folk Dancer
    Rajalakshmi N Rao
    Rajalakshmi N Rao
    Author & Educationist
    Vikram Sampath
    Vikram Sampath
    Historian & Author
    Amish Tripathi
    Amish Tripathi
    Bestselling Author · Shiva Trilogy
    Krishne Gowda
    Krishne Gowda
    Kannada Writer & Academic
    Gangavathi Pranesh
    Gangavathi Pranesh
    Kannada Humorist & Orator
    Aroon Raman
    Aroon Raman
    Indian Entrepreneur & Author
    Arunima Tenzin Tara
    Arunima Tenzin Tara
    Author
    Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
    Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
    Indian Actress
    Bhaskar Bhat
    Bhaskar Bhat
    Business Professional
    Capt. Gopinath
    Capt. Gopinath
    Indian Entrepreneur
    David Belo
    David Belo
    Founder of Naviluna, Mysuru
    Dr C N Manjunath
    Dr C N Manjunath
    Member of the Lok Sabha
    Dwarika Uniyal
    Dwarika Uniyal
    Author
    Harish Bhat
    Harish Bhat
    Author
    Jonathan Gil Harris
    Jonathan Gil Harris
    Author
    Keerthi Narayana
    Keerthi Narayana
    Content Creator, YouTuber & ENT
    Kubbra Sait
    Kubbra Sait
    Indian Actress
    Madhavi Menon
    Madhavi Menon
    Author
    Mahesh Rao
    Mahesh Rao
    Author
    Bhawana Somaaya
    Bhawana Somaaya
    Film Historian & Critic
    Ruth Padel
    Ruth Padel
    British Poet & Author
    Dharmendra Kumar
    Dharmendra Kumar
    Author & Speaker
    Sudha Murthy
    Sudha Murthy
    Author, Philanthropist & Rajya Sabha MP
    Rickey Kej
    Rickey Kej
    Grammy-winning Composer & Environmentalist
    R. Balasubramaniam
    R. Balasubramaniam
    Development Activist & Author
    K.N Ganeshaiah
    K.N Ganeshaiah
    Scientist & Kannada Writer
    Suresh Heblikar
    Suresh Heblikar
    Filmmaker & Environmentalist
    Aravind Ramesh
    Aravind Ramesh
    Author & Speaker
    Ila Arun
    Ila Arun
    Singer, Actor & Lyricist
    Prof Lakshmi Chandrashekar
    Prof Lakshmi Chandrashekar
    Theatre Personality, Actress & Former Professor
    Rajendra Singh Babu
    Rajendra Singh Babu
    Indian Filmmaker
    Sanjoy K Roy
    Sanjoy K Roy
    Author
    Shankar Bellur
    Shankar Bellur
    Author, Columnist, Corporate Trainer & Career Mentor
    Shatavadhani Ganesh
    Shatavadhani Ganesh
    Author
    Shivara Umesh
    Shivara Umesh
    Musical Artist
    Sihi Kahi Chandru
    Sihi Kahi Chandru
    Indian Actor & Television Host
    Sudhir Vombatkere
    Sudhir Vombatkere
    Soldier, Engineer, Writer & Thinker
    T M Krishna
    T M Krishna
    Indian Vocalist & Writer
    Trish Joudrey
    Trish Joudrey
    Author, Educator & Adventurer
    Upasana Sarraju
    Upasana Sarraju
    Indian Science Writer
    Vikram Hatwar
    Vikram Hatwar
    Author
    Vivek Shanbhag
    Vivek Shanbhag
    Indian Writer & Novelist

    A Decade of Literary Celebrations

    From the inaugural edition in 2017 to today: nine years of authors, conversations, and the magic of words in Mysuru.

    2017
    1st Edition

    The Inaugural Festival

    Mysuru's first literature festival, curated by Shubha Sanjay Urs, a bold new platform for author-reader engagement in the Cultural Capital of Karnataka.

    2018
    2nd Edition

    Growing the Movement

    The festival deepened its roots with distinguished guests including entrepreneur and author Aroon Raman and Dr. Shenoi, whose generosity included a donation of ₹10 lakhs to the Trust.

    2019
    3rd Edition

    National Voices, Local Stage

    A landmark year with a stellar lineup: former Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, former Ambassador Nirupama Rao, historian Manu Pillai, wildlife conservationist Romulus Whitaker, and filmmaker T.S. Nagabharana.

    2020–21
    Pandemic Years

    A Pause, But Not a Full Stop

    The COVID-19 pandemic paused in-person festivities. The Trust redirected its energy to community support, partnering with the Mysore District Administration in relief efforts.

    2022
    6th Edition

    The Return

    The festival returned with renewed energy, bringing Mysuru's literary community back together after the pandemic years, celebrating the resilience of readers and writers alike.

    2023
    7th Edition

    Voices & Visions

    Another year of rich dialogue, featuring authors, poets, and thinkers from across India. The festival continued its tradition of free, open access for all Mysureans.

    2024
    8th Edition

    Poetry in the Digital Age

    A thought-provoking edition exploring the relevance of poems and literature in an era of online relationships, with Padma Shri awardee Dr. Khadar Valli Dudekula on health, food, and wellbeing.

    2025
    9th Edition · July 5–6, 2025

    The Most Recent Chapter

    The 9th Mysuru Literature Festival, continuing the tradition of world-class literary engagement, free for all, in the heart of Mysuru. Authors and audiences from across India and abroad gathered once again at ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ.

    Become a Festival Partner

    Associate your brand or organisation with one of Karnataka's most respected literary events. The Mysuru Literature Festival offers meaningful, curated visibility to an audience of educated, engaged, and culture-forward Mysureans.

    Sponsorship Enquiry
    Title Sponsor

    Premier naming rights, stage presence, and maximum brand visibility across all festival communications.

    Session Sponsor

    Sponsor a curated session or panel, with dedicated branding and the opportunity to introduce speakers.

    Community Partner

    Support the festival's free and open ethos while positioning your organisation as a champion of culture in Mysuru.

    Press Coverage · Since 2010

    In the News

    Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust in the press — coverage of our book launches, the literature festival, and community work across Mysuru’s leading dailies.

    Star of MysoreDeccan HeraldPrajavaniTimes of India
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