Shillong: The 5th edition of the Shillong Literary Festival wrapped up on Saturday at the picturesque Ward’s Lake after three days of spirited discussions, performances, and cultural showcases that reaffirmed Meghalaya’s place on India’s literary map.
The festival—now one of the Northeast’s most anticipated cultural events—reflected the vision of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who has consistently championed creativity, heritage, and the arts as essential pillars of the state’s identity, said a press statement.
This year’s edition drew an impressive turnout, with hundreds participating across sessions that spanned literature, history, cinema, poetry, oral traditions, geopolitics, folklore, and music.
As author Banu Mushtaq beautifully said during one of the sessions, “To stand in Shillong today feels like walking into a page that has been quietly waiting for me.”
A Day of Rich Conversations
The final day opened with “Our Hills, Our Histories”, featuring Madeline Y. Tham and Daniel Ebor Challam in conversation with historian David R. Syiemlieh. The session unpacked narratives of land, memory, and the interconnectedness of Meghalaya’s layered histories, it said.
A poignant discussion on “Cinema, Literature and the Impact of Social Media” followed, where Merlvin Jude Mukhim, Ailynti Nongbri, and Lucetta J. Syiem explored the rise of Khasi literature, the evolution of regional cinema, and the growing influence of digital platforms on young storytellers.
In a literary highlight, Arts & Culture Minister Bah Paul Lyngdoh joined poets Lalnunsanga Ralte and Dorothy Marak for “The Power of a Poem.” Quoting Pablo Neruda, Lyngdoh reflected on the intimacy of poetry before sharing pieces such as “Invisible Time” and “In the Graveyard of My Heart.”
Inspiring Sessions on Civil Services, Choir Music, and History
The festival also drew aspirants and young professionals to an engaging session titled “Scaling Mount UPSC.” Senior bureaucrats Sajjan Yadav, Davis N.R. Marak, Cyril Diengdoh, and 2021 topper Ankur Das offered candid insights into the rigour, resilience, and clarity required to navigate India’s toughest examination.
Another crowd favourite was “The Hills Are Alive with the Shillong Choir’s Music”—an intimate conversation featuring members of the iconic Shillong Chamber Choir, moderated by Sir Brian Wallang. The session delved into the choir’s musical journey and its continuing global impact.
In “Whose History Is It Anyway?” authors Mmhonlumo Kikon and Sanjeeb Kakoty, speaking with Glenn C. Kharkongor, challenged traditional historical narratives and championed indigenous perspectives.
Global and Regional Voices Take Centre Stage
A major literary draw was the panel “South Asian Literature in World Literature,” featuring Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka, along with Jerry Pinto and Kanishka Gupta.
The discussion underscored how South Asian storytelling continues to push past gatekeeping to reach global audiences.
Other sessions saw novelist Keshava Guha discuss themes of inheritance and responsibility in “The Tiger’s Share,” while author Rahul Bhattacharya spoke about the Indian Railways as a “human network” during his session “Railsong.”
An emotional highlight came from mountaineer Jamling Norgay and Priyambada Jayakumar in “In the Footsteps of Giants,” where they reflected on the legacies of Tenzing Norgay and M.S. Swaminathan.
Photographer Anurag Banerjee unveiled the second volume of his visual anthology during “Songs of Our People,” celebrating Meghalaya’s vibrant music culture in conversation with Janice Pariat.
The concluding literary session, “Through the Device Darkly,” brought Jerry Pinto, Prayag Akbar, and Ankush Saikia together to examine how OTT platforms influence contemporary narratives and adaptations.
A Cultural Finale at Ward’s Lake
As dusk settled over Ward’s Lake, the festival closed with soulful performances under the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project—an apt finale that merged tradition, rhythm, and the state’s enduring love for music.
A Festival of Many Voices
This year’s Shillong Literary Festival hosted a distinguished roster of participants, including Booker laureate Shehan Karunatilaka; celebrated writers Upamanyu Chatterjee, Anita Agnihotri, Sanjoy Hazarika, Francesc Miralles, Jerry Pinto, Rahul Bhattacharya, Keshava Guha, and Prayag Akbar.
Cinema icons Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, and Dominic Sangma added multidisciplinary depth, while regional writers Janice Pariat, Dorothy Marak, and Prince S.R. Marak ensured that Meghalaya’s cultural roots remained central.
With its blend of local warmth and international perspective, the festival’s fifth edition reinforced Shillong’s standing as a thriving hub of literature, ideas, and artistic expression—setting the stage for an even grander celebration next year.