Chinmayi Tripathi
Acclaimed Singer and Musical Performer, known for her expressive renditions and performances celebrating India's rich musical and cultural traditions.
JLF Speakers 2026
Writers, thinkers, artists and changemakers sharing ideas that stay with us.
Music, Dance & Performing Arts
Joel Mukherjee
Musician and Performing Artist, bringing together melody, creativity and contemporary musical expression.
Abhi Munde (Psycho Shayar)
Popular Contemporary Poet and Spoken-Word Performer, known for his engaging poetry, emotional storytelling and distinctive stage presence.
Arohi Munshi
Bharatanatyam Dancer, Performing Artist and Cultural Curator, dedicated to promoting Indian classical dance and artistic traditions.
Cinema, OTT & Entertainment
Ashok Pathak
Acclaimed Actor, widely recognised for his unforgettable portrayal of Binod in the immensely popular web series Panchayat, whose character became a nationwide cultural phenomenon.
Bulloo Kumar
Actor, best known for portraying Madhav, the memorable village character in the popular web series Panchayat.
Tarun Dudeja
Acclaimed Filmmaker, Writer and Director of Dhak Dhak, the inspiring road-trip film featuring Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanjana Sanghi.
Anmol Ahuja
Renowned Casting Director and Co-founder of Casting Bay, associated with acclaimed screen productions including Panchayat, Mirzapur and Paatal Lok.
Padma Awardees & Distinguished Artists
Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh
One of India's most distinguished cultural ambassadors.
Padma Shri Tilak Gitai
Distinguished Traditional Artist and Painter from Rajasthan, recognised for his contribution to India's artistic and cultural heritage.
Padma Shri Anup Ranjan Pandey
Celebrated Tribal Musician and Founder of Bastar Band, dedicated to preserving and presenting the indigenous musical traditions of Bastar.
Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai Yadav
Renowned Grassroots Social Activist from Chhattisgarh, celebrated for her pioneering work in women's empowerment, self-help groups and rural social transformation.
Padma Shri Madhu Mansuri Hansmukh
Legendary Nagpuri Folk Singer, Lyricist and Cultural Icon of Jharkhand, whose songs have become a powerful voice of regional identity, heritage and social consciousness.
Padma Shri Mukund Nayak
Legendary Nagpuri Folk Singer, Dancer and Cultural Ambassador of Jharkhand, renowned for preserving and popularising the region's traditional music, dance and indigenous cultural expressions.
Literature, Authors & Fine Arts
Dr. Yatindra Mishra
Eminent Hindi Poet, Author and Music Scholar, celebrated for his writings on Indian music, literature and cultural heritage; associated with the Royal Family of Ayodhya.
Akshat Gupta
Bestselling Author of The Hidden Hindu trilogy, celebrated for blending Indian mythology, ancient traditions and contemporary thriller storytelling.
Manish Pushkale
Internationally Recognised Contemporary Indian Painter, known for his evocative abstract works exploring colour, memory, spirituality and artistic expression.
Ajitabha Bose
Author, Publisher and Literary Entrepreneur from Jamshedpur, known for his contributions to contemporary writing and independent publishing.
Neeraj Jaiswal
Deputy Commandant, CRPF, and Author of Saran Ke Gaurav, combining public service with a passion for regional history, heritage and literary documentation.
Academia, Museums & Heritage Studies
Dr. Ranjan Kumar Tripathi
Distinguished Academic and Dean, Students' Welfare, University of Delhi, associated with higher education, student development and academic leadership.
Dr. Munna Kumar Pandey
Hindi Scholar, Literary Critic and Associate Professor at Satyawati College, University of Delhi, actively engaged in Hindi literature, criticism and academic discourse.
Prof. Anand Vardhan
Chairman, Museums Association of India, and Dean, School of Heritage Research & Management, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi; a prominent voice in museum studies, heritage education and cultural preservation.
Prof. Dr. Vaidurya Pratap Sahi
Distinguished Plant Scientist, Academic and Author associated with the historic Tamkuhi Raj Family; known for his international scientific research and his book Sahis' Anecdotes: Tales from Tamkuhi.
Journalism, Literature & Public Discourse
Anant Vijay
Prominent Hindi Journalist, Author and Literary Critic, known for his commentary on contemporary literature, cultural issues and public discourse.
Dr. Anjum Sharma
Deputy Editor, India Today, and experienced Journalist, associated with contemporary reporting, editorial analysis and public affairs.
Sanjay Krishna
Senior Journalist associated with Dainik Jagran, Ranchi, and Author known for documenting the history, literature, personalities and cultural heritage of Jharkhand.
Heritage, Tourism & Storytelling
Nitesh Sharma
Founder of Shehar Nama, a cultural storytelling initiative exploring the forgotten histories, fascinating personalities and living heritage of Indian cities.
Sanjaya Shepherd
A passionate traveller, writer, and Editor-in-Chief of Strolling India Travel Magazine, Sanjaya Shepherd explores the stories, cultures, and heritage of diverse destinations. With a unique perspective on travel and storytelling, he brings journeys and cultural experiences to life, inspiring readers to discover India beyond the ordinary.
Dr. Kaynat Kazi
Acclaimed Travel Writer, Photographer and Cultural Storyteller, known for documenting India's diverse destinations, architectural heritage and cultural landscapes.
Anurag Yadav 'Ajitalaya'
Traveller, Social Activist and Heritage Enthusiast associated with Jharkhand ke Rang, an initiative exploring the culture, communities and destinations of Jharkhand's 24 districts.
Madhuranjan Singh
Jharkhand Tourism Influencer and Digital Content Creator from Daltonganj, known for showcasing the state's natural beauty, unexplored destinations and regional heritage through digital storytelling.
Culinary Heritage & Hospitality
Anubhav Sapra
Renowned Food Explorer, Culinary Storyteller and Founder of Delhi Food Walks, celebrated for documenting India's street-food traditions, local cuisines and culinary heritage.
Dr. Bhupesh Kumar
Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Ranchi, and Hospitality Educationist, associated with culinary education, tourism and the promotion of regional food traditions.
Civil Services & Public Administration
Nitin Pramod, IFS
Indian Foreign Service Officer, Poet and Author, bringing together diplomacy, literature and cultural understanding.
Satyarth Aniruddha Pankaj, IPS
Indian Police Service Officer, Poet and Translator, combining public service with literary creativity and intellectual engagement.
Himanshu Shekhar, ICLS
Indian Corporate Law Service Officer and Registrar of Companies, Jharkhand, associated with corporate governance, regulatory administration and public service.
Vaibhav Mani Tripathi
Founder of Yaayavar, combining public administration with a keen interest in literature, travel and cultural exploration.
Royal Heritage
Pratap Aditya Singh Deo
Representative of the historic Seraikela Royal Family, associated with the region's distinguished royal legacy and cultural traditions.
Maharani Arunima Singh Deo
Distinguished Member of the Seraikela Royal Family, representing the cultural heritage, traditions and historical legacy of Seraikela.
Literature Festival Organisers
Amitabh Singh Baghel
Founder of the Nainital Literature Festival, Literary Curator, Author and Founder of the Aaghaz Poetry Movement; also associated with the creation of the Koshala Literature Festival.
Dr. Brajesh Kumar Mishra
Convenor of Chhap Pustak Mahotsav, Jharkhand, actively associated with promoting books, reading culture and literary engagement in the State.
Chandra Pratap Yadav
Convenor of the Bundelkhand Literature Festival, Uttar Pradesh, associated with promoting regional literature, cultural heritage and literary dialogue in Jhansi.
Institutional Education Award Representatives
Mrs. Lalitha Chandrashekhar
Chairperson (Administration), D.B.M.S. Board of Trustees, Jamshedpur.
Mr. B. Chandrashekhar
Chairman Finance, D.B.M.S. Board of Trustees, and President, D.B.M.S. College of Education, Jamshedpur.
Honourable Jury Members – JLF 2.0 Awards
Vivek Tiwari
Editor, Prabhat Khabar, Jamshedpur Edition.
Kumar Bhavanand Jha
Editor, Dainik Bhaskar, Jamshedpur Edition.
Pradeep Singh
Editor, Dainik Jagran, Jamshedpur Edition.
Ganesh Mehta
Editor, Hindustan, Jamshedpur Edition.
Jaiprakash Rai
Editor, Chamakta Aaina, Jamshedpur.
Brajbhushan Singh
Editor, Ispat Mail, Seraikela Kharswan.
Udit Agrawal
Editor, Udit Vani, Jamshedpur.
Literary Journalism & Media Criticism
Dr. Vineet Kumar
Prominent Media Critic, Author and Academic, known for his incisive analysis of Indian television, news media, popular culture and digital communication; Author of Mandi Mein Media and Ishq Koi News Nahin.
Sanjay Mishra
Editor, Prabhat Khabar, Ranchi Edition; cultural issues of Jharkhand.
Uttamnath Pathak
Resident Editor, Amar Ujala.