Event Background 

LangFest started as an initiative by the DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum in Chennai, India to engage with intangible attributes of culture, with the belief that language is an important gateway to our cultural understanding. Prior LangFest events dealt with popular culture and language, scripts and typefaces, translations across south Indian languages, and biographies, autobiographies and memoirs as cultural narratives. 

This year’s theme, “Art, Artists, and Language,” featured engaging, interdisciplinary interactions with a range of creative voices and a diverse range of events designed to spark conversation and inspiration, including thought-provoking panels, live performances, and an interactive film festival. 

Panelists

Kanak Mani Dixit

Kanak Mani Dixit is a distinguished Nepali journalist, writer, and civil rights activist, widely recognized for his contributions to media, literature, and social advocacy in South Asia. He is the founder of Himal Southasian, a groundbreaking regional publication that champions cross-border dialogue and fosters a nuanced understanding of South Asian issues. Under his leadership, the magazine became a vital platform for critical journalism and cultural exchange in the region. A staunch advocate for democracy and human rights, Dixit has been at the forefront of movements promoting press freedom and civil liberties in Nepal. In addition to his journalistic achievements, Dixit is an accomplished writer of fiction and non-fiction. His books for children, such as the Adventures of Dullu series, reflect his passion for storytelling and his commitment to engaging younger generations with themes of environmental conservation and social awareness. His multifaceted contributions continue to shape the intellectual and civic landscape of Nepal and South Asia.

Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai

Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai is a distinguished filmmaker, film historian, and academic specializing in Tamil cinema and documentaries. He is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University, teaching in the Department of English and the Department of Media and Information. His work bridges the gap between practice and scholarship, offering a deep and nuanced understanding of Indian cinema's aesthetic, cultural, and historical dimensions. As a filmmaker, he has directed several acclaimed documentaries, including Unfinished Journey and Besieged Land, which explore themes of displacement, identity, and socio-political issues. He is also a leading scholar of Tamil cinema, with a focus on its evolution, influence, and unique cultural dynamics. His book Madras Studios: Narrative, Genre, and Ideology in Tamil Cinema is a seminal work that examines the industry's history and its interplay with societal changes. Through his teaching, writing, and filmmaking, Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai continues to contribute to the global understanding of cinema as both an art form and a cultural document.

For more information on the panel and LangFest 2025, see the festival details in the Attachments section.