Phule Festival 2026 — Commemorating the Bicentenary of Mahatma Jotiba Phule | Organised by Rashtra Seva Dal, Pune
Intellectuals, Cultural Leaders & Activists
Distinguished Guests & Speakers
सन्माननीय पाहुणे व विचारवंत — A national convergence of scholars, writers, folk artists, and grassroots activists commemorating the bicentenary of Mahatma Jotiba Phule.
Damodar Mauzo
दामोदर मावजो
Dr. Ganesh Devy
पद्मश्री डॉ. गणेश देवी
Raghuveer Khedkar
पद्मश्री रघुवीर खेडकर
Bajrang Bihari Tiwari
प्रो. बजरंग बिहारी तिवारी
Dr. Laxman Yadav
डॉ. लक्ष्मण यादव
Dr. Neeraj Hatekar
प्रा. डॉ. नीरज हातेकर
Laxmikant Deshmukh
लक्ष्मीकांत देशमुख
Bharat Sasane
भारत सासणे
Surekha Punekar
सुरेखा पुणेकर
Arun Mhatre
अरुण म्हात्रे
Bhanwar Meghwanshi
भंवर मेघवंशी
Dr. Jitendra Meena
डॉ. जितेंद्र मीना
Dr. Milind Awad
डॉ. मिलिंद आवाड
Dr. Sharad Baviskar
डॉ. शरद बाविस्कर
Mohammad Irfan
मोहम्मद इरफ़ान
Bachalal Yadav
डॉ. बच्चा लाल उन्मेष
Priyanka Bharati
प्रियंका भारती
About the festival
A legacy that continues to challenge the present
Revisit the ideas. Understand the struggles. Reimagine the future.
Phule Festival 2026 is envisioned as a three-day national festival of ideas, literature, research, culture, education and social dialogue, inspired by the life, work and transformative vision of Mahatma Jotiba Phule. This festival is organised by Rashtra Seva Dal.
Festival at a glance
One festival. Many ways to engage.
Research, literature, youth, art, culture and public dialogue.
3 Days
Convergence
27, 28 & 29 Nov 2026
15+
Pavilions & Forums
Grassroots & academic spaces
50+
Scholars & Voices
Thinkers, writers & artists
Free
Public Access
Open & inclusive to all
National research conference
Phule@200 national conference
National youth conference
Book festival
Literature festival
Phule heritage walk
Memorial lecture
Folk art festival
Film & documentary screenings
Writers’ meet-ups
Artists’ meet-ups
Teachers’ literature festival
Poster presentations
Exhibitions
Social movement demonstrations
Educational seminars
Women & gender forums
Workers’ movement sessions
Career guidance
Open mic poetry
Stand-up comedy
Book launches
Food stalls
Official schedule
Three days of ideas, culture and conversation
Complete itinerary across three transformative days at Ganesh Kala Krida RangManch, Pune.
Literature
Book festival
A vibrant public space for readers, writers, publishers, and students to discover books and engage with diverse literary traditions.
Academic Research
Research paper presentations
Scholars and researchers from across India present selected papers on Mahatma Phule's intellectual and social legacy.
Literary Forum
Writers’ meet-up
Direct interaction between writers and festival visitors, informal book discussions, and introductions to emerging progressive literature.
Memorial Lecture
Mery Patil memorial lecture
Key intellectual memorial lecture by eminent writer Bajrang Bihari Tiwari on literature, society, equality and contemporary social questions.
Folk Art & Culture
Folk art festival
A dynamic evening celebration featuring traditional and contemporary people's art forms, storytelling, and cultural memory.
Cultural Competition
Group dance & singing competition
An inspiring youth and student cultural competition featuring energetic group dance and patriotic/folk singing performances celebrating social equality.
Heritage Walk
Phule walk
Historic heritage walk connecting Bhide Wada (India's first girls' school) to Mahatma Phule Wada, experiencing history where social transformations took place.
Academic Research
Research paper presentations
Parallel thematic academic sessions allowing researchers to present findings, engage with scholars, and receive peer feedback.
National Bicentenary
Phule@200 conference
Central bicentenary conference convening eminent thinkers to reflect upon 200 years of Jotiba Phule's legacy and constitutional values.
Youth & Leadership
National youth conference
Dedicated platform for youth leaders, students, and young changemakers interpreting Phule's transformative vision for modern India.
Documentary & Cinema
Film screening
Screening of selected films and documentaries dealing with society, social movements, and human experiences, followed by filmmaker Q&A.
Cultural Competition
Group dance & singing competition
The continuing round and grand performances of the group dance and singing competition, spotlighting vibrant youth talent and celebratory folk traditions.
Literature & Dialogue
Literature festival
Writers, poets, and readers explore the relationship between literature and society across languages, generations, and traditions.
Academic Research
Research paper presentations
Final round of academic exchanges concluding three days of scholarship and establishing research networks for future collaborations.
Visual Arts & Dialogue
Artists’ meet-up
Interactive session exploring the role of art and cultural expression in understanding identity, inequality, resistance, and social change.
Cinema & Social Themes
Film & documentary screening
Closing curated film and documentary screenings bringing together the festival's overarching themes of dignity, equality, and dialogue.
Interactive pavilions & forums
Beyond the stage. Into the community.
Discover the art, ideas, movements and people shaping our society — commemorative bicentenary series.
FOLK ART & PERFORMANCE
Folk artists & live demonstrations
Folk-art troupes will perform and demonstrate traditional and contemporary people's art forms, providing visitors with opportunities to interact directly with performers and understand the cultural contexts of different traditions.
POSTER EXHIBITIONS
Poster presentations
Students, researchers, educational institutions, organisations and social groups will showcase posters on diverse social, educational, historical and contemporary themes.
RATIONAL TEMPER FORUM
Anti-superstition movement exhibition
Interactive exhibitions and demonstrations will promote scientific temper, rational inquiry and critical thinking. Visitors will have opportunities to understand how seemingly mysterious or supernatural claims can be examined through evidence, reason and scientific explanation.
CAREER & PATHWAYS
Career guidance & support
Career guidance stalls will provide students and young visitors with access to information and support regarding educational pathways, careers, skill development and opportunities.
PROGRESSIVE WRITERS
Progressive writers’ meet & book launches
Progressive writers and readers will come together for conversations, interactions and discussions. The festival will also provide opportunities for the release and introduction of new books and publications.
TEACHERS' FORUM
Teachers’ literature festival
A dedicated space for teachers, educators and education professionals will explore literature, reading, classroom experiences and the transformative role of education.
PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS
Social movements pavilion
Social movements and organisations will have spaces to present their histories, campaigns, experiences and ongoing work. Through exhibitions, demonstrations and conversations, visitors will be able to engage directly with people involved in different movements.
EDUCATION SEMINARS
Educational seminars & presentations
Educators, researchers and organisations will conduct seminars and presentations on important questions concerning education, access, equality, pedagogy and social transformation.
WORKERS OF INDIA
Workers’ movements of India
Special sessions, exhibitions and demonstrations will highlight the history and contemporary experiences of workers' movements in India. These programmes will create space for workers and labour organisations to share their struggles, achievements and current concerns.
GRASSROOTS VOICES
People’s organisations & grassroots voices
Students' organisations, ASHA workers, farmers' organisations and other grassroots groups will participate through seminars, discussions and demonstrations. This platform will enable communities and organisations to speak directly about their experiences and concerns.
GENDER & DIGNITY
Women & gender forum
Dedicated seminars and conversations will focus on women's rights, gender equality, representation, education, work, safety, dignity and social change.
POETRY & STAND-UP
Open mic, poetry & stand-up comedy
The festival will also create informal cultural spaces where participants can express themselves through poetry, storytelling, spoken word, humour and stand-up comedy.
TELUGU LITERATURE
Telugu literature festival
A dedicated Telugu Literature Festival will bring together writers, readers and literary voices to celebrate Telugu literature and encourage dialogue across linguistic traditions.
CINEMA & DOCS
Film & documentary festival
Films and documentaries will be screened throughout the festival, creating a visual platform for stories related to society, history, culture, movements and human experiences.
COMMUNITY & FOOD
Food & community space
Food stalls will operate throughout the festival, creating informal spaces for participants to meet, interact and continue conversations beyond scheduled sessions.
Festival location
Meet us in Pune
Three days. One festival. A nation in conversation.
Venue location map
Tilak Road access
Near Swargate Police Station
Next to Energy Garden
Near Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha
Ganesh Kala Krida RangManch
Keshav Rao Jedhe Road, Swargate, Pune 411042
National bicentenary gathering
The conversation continues with you
Celebrate the legacy. Question the present. Imagine the future.
Phule Festival 2026
27–29 November 2026 | Ganesh Kala Krida RangManch, Pune, Maharashtra
Research | Literature | Youth | Art | Culture | Cinema | Education | Social movements | Public dialogue
Support the movement
Be Part of the Story.
Phule Festival celebrates voices, ideas, and conversations worth preserving.
Contribute to keep the spirit of literature alive.
Reserved seating will be available for our contributors as a token of appreciation.
₹5,000
First Row
₹3,000
Second Row
₹2,000
Third Row
₹1,000
Fourth Row
₹500
5th Row onwards
Bank Account Details
Contribute directly via NEFT / RTGS / IMPS / Net Banking
Account Name
RASHTRA SEWA DAL MAHARASHTRA
Account Number
20124908514
Bank
Bank of Maharashtra
Branch
Pune Hi-Tech Agri Branch (Code 01142)
IFSC Code
MAHB0001142
MICR Code
411014078
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