There are festivals, and then there are experiences that stay long after the last conversation fades. The fourth edition of (AYL) ARE YOU LIT? at Club Patio, Gurgaon, was unquestionably the latter.
Over two thoughtfully curated days (March 14 & 15), the festival unfolded not as a conventional literary gathering but as an immersive cultural tapestry where literature met lived experiences, where ideas flowed as freely as music, and where every voice carried both depth and distinctiveness. Dr Neeta Pandey Negi’s Sufi renditions at AYL became a soulful invocation, casting a spell on the audience.
From the very first session, the tone was unapologetically powerful. Dr Omendra Ratnu, in conversation with Vineeta Grover, set the stage ablaze with a compelling dialogue on Rajasthan’s history, identity, and the urgency of reclaiming narratives.
With Rajasthan as the centre of AYL 2026, the day flowed seamlessly into discussions celebrating its heritage in various forms. Food became both a memory and a meaningful experience in a session led by Chef Ashish Bhasin, while voices like Gopal Namjoshi and Dharmendra Rathore highlighted fading crafts, reminding audiences that culture, if not preserved, quietly disappears.
Then came a gentle, nostalgic, deeply personal shift in mood. Ajay Jain of Kunzum, in conversation with Mayura Mathur of AYL, transported the audience back to school corridors, friendships, fears, and formative years. It served as a reminder that sometimes, the simplest stories are the most universal.
Young Voices, New Energy
At the heart of ARE YOU LIT is a quiet but firm commitment to the future. The AYL Youth segment celebrated young thinkers and creators from Gurgaon’s leading schools, giving them not just a platform, but a voice. In a specially curated Young Authors Session by Shweta Modgil, students spoke about writing, publishing, and finding their identity through words.
As the day progressed, the festival revealed its true strength, its ability to hold space for conversations that matter. Sayantan Ghosh, in conversation with Shibani Phukan, explored loneliness and connection with rare sensitivity. Vartika Nanda brought forth stories from the margins, raw, real, and impossible to ignore, in her candid conversation with Vishesh Prakash, Cofounder of AYL.
Authors like Pooja Pandey, alongside voices of Shweta Mathur Lal and Anupama Jain, in a session led by Neena Wagh, expanded the discourse to include spirituality, sustainability, and conscious living, adding layers to an already rich narrative and spotlighting their recently launched books. Sanjita Singh launched her book, giving a dose of gut health to the audience.
But it was perhaps Geetika Lidder who left the audience most moved. Speaking of resilience, identity, and her journey, she quietly said, “I have taken the tag of being a Lidder very seriously.” In that moment, the room fell still, absorbing not just her words, but her strength.
Evenings that Became Experiences
If the days were about ideas, the evenings were about emotion.
On 14th March, as the sun dipped, the soulful melodies of the Manganiyars from Jaisalmer filled the open-air venue. It was more than music; it was Rajasthan speaking through rhythm and voice, timeless and transcendent.
On 15th March, the focus shifted to celebration with a Self-Love Recognition evening honouring women of Gurgaon who, through years of consistent work, have built their own identities and brands. It was a night of grace, strength, and quiet power, where recognition felt truly earned. Dr Preety Aggarwal of Motherhood Hospital addressed the audience on the importance of undergoing timely preventive medical check-ups. “Women are conditioned to ignore their health issues. A timely consultation with a doctor can save the entire family.”
Adding to the vibrancy was a thoughtfully curated flea market, where women entrepreneurs brought together creativity, commerce, and community, displaying their merchandise.
Beyond Literature: Leadership, Identity & Expression
ARE YOU LIT is as much about ideas as it is about people who live them.
Maj Gen Vikram Dogra inspired audiences with his journey of completing the Ironman triathlon three times, redefining endurance and mental strength. A path-breaking conversation on LGBTQI+ rights by Saurabh Kirpal opened up important dialogues on identity and inclusion.
Corporate voices such as Ratna Vishwanathan, Gaurika Tandon, and Sandeep Sinha explored emerging ideas of leadership alongside Yasmin Taj. Senior corporate figures such as Anubhav Khanna, Ajay Kakkar, and Bollywood film producer Savita Raj Hiremath discussed the evolving meaning of luxury in today’s world with Shyam Grover, founder of Zen Golf Range and Academy.
In the creative space, Arunima Sharma offered an artistic and OTT perspective on life, both on and off-screen, while Rita Gangwani discussed the power of presence and dressing. Yuvragi Rathore’s storytelling connected generations within cultural memory.
A Community in Conversation
With community partners like Reciprocity, OPause, GEM, and Gurgaon Community Circle, the festival extended beyond a venue; it became a shared space.
What makes ARE YOU LIT? truly distinctive is not just its line-up, but its intention. It doesn’t chase noise. It creates space. For stories. For silence. For reflection. In doing so, it continues to foster a community that values depth over distraction, and dialogue over display, a rare and essential pause in an otherwise hurried world.
