Civil Servant and writer Ashok Kumar Bal, a 1983 IRS officer, has been appointed Patron cum CEO of the Kalinga Literary Festival
OdishaPlus Bureau
Civil Servant and Writer Ashok Kumar Bal joined as Patron cum CEO of the Kalinga Literary Festival. Ashok Bal was a 1983 batch IRS officer who held key positions like Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust and has been a member of various national-level committees. He has authored the acclaimed book “Gajapati: A King Without a Kingdom”, exploring the history of the Gajapatis’ the honorary kings for the people of Odisha.
“We need to take KLF to greater heights; expanding its footprints; broadening its content and making it more contemporary and relevant to reach out to diverse audience groups”, stated Ashok Bal on the occasion.
Initiated in 2013 at Bhubaneswar, the Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) is a platform to share people’s love of literature and arts. It confers the KLF Book Awards and Kalinga Literary Awards to recognize literary talents. KLF Corners offer creative outlets, including KLF Bhav Samvad for conversations and book launches, and KLF Campus workshops in educational institutions.
“We welcome Mr. Ashok Bal, administrator and author, as CEO of the Kalinga Literary Festival. His expertise in ancient Kalinga, Indian history, and contemporary society will elevate the festival, enriching Art, Culture, and Literature,” said Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder KLF.
KLF Sessions cover thought-provoking topics, and the Kalinga Art Festival showcases visual art aligned with the central theme. Through these efforts, KLF nurtures reading and writing habits, especially among youth, and shapes future literary icons.
KLF has expanded its reach by hosting annual editions in Kathmandu (since 2022), and plans to launch editions in Bali and Colombo from 2025. Additionally, it organizes the annual Kandhamal Literary Festival and Mystic Kalinga Festival.
