Starting off with keynote speeches at the Victoria Memorial to dramatised readings at the St.John's Church to discussions at the Lascar monument, the five day fest promises to bring together prize winning authors, award winning filmmakers, literati, poets and artists from the world.

"It is a veritable feast for the enquiring mind. To me it is like a pulse quickener.It is a hotbed with literature, music, art etc.," said veteran film actor Barun Chanda.

With themes like commemoration of centenary of Pakistani writer Saddat Hasan Manto and book launches, the fest will also celebrate a century of Indian cinema.

"Cinema wouldn't have happened without the written word. A hundred years of cinema is a result of thousand years of books. The festival will try to reiterate books," said noted percussionist Bickram Ghosh.

The multifaceted event, organised jointly by Apeejay Surrendra Group and Oxford Bookstore, will also see AKLF's maiden partnership with the prestigious Tibor Jones South Asia Prize 2013, aimed at honoring budding authors from south Asian region.

Distinguished personalities including celebrity author Shobha De, vocalist Nageen Tanvir, cultural events presenter Oindrilla Dutt and author Jayant Kripalani will be a part of the cultural extravaganza that concludes Jan 13.