A star-studded lineup of 60+ writers, filmmakers, poets and thinkers : MGMP artists to infuse musical soul to literary evenings at Wards Lake
Shillong, November 19 : The Shillong Literary Festival is back, in its Fifth Edition, with a glittering gathering of over 60 award winning international, national and regional authors which promises to be the largest such literary gathering in the North-east, including International Booker Prize winners Banu Mustaq and Shehan Karukaratne.
Other iconic writers presenting their work include Francesc Miralles, the Spanish author of the best-selling Ikigai, and Sam Darylmple, whose Shattered Lands has just been published. Joining them is a list of major writers from Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland, including the Streamlet Dkhar, Janice Pariat, Aiyinti Nongbri, Bandarilin Bairo, and Garo writers Barbara Sangma and Colnat Marak.
In fact, for the first time in the history of the festival, which the Meghalaya Government supports, there are sessions specifically dedicated explicitly to authors in the Khasi and Garo languages.
Cyril Diengdoh, senior IAS officer said, “Over the past four editions, the Shillong Lit Fest has created an indelible impact on literature lovers, writers, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country. In 2024 alone, the festival welcomed more than 15,000 attendees, a clear reflection of its growing stature as a space where we celebrate the power of words, stories, and creativity. This year’s edition includes eminent authors, including Booker Prize winners, who we hope will inspire budding authors from our state. We also have panels on Garo and Khasi Literature.”
“The Government of Meghalaya is committed to positioning the Shillong Lit Fest as a key annual event for the State. Such a platform has the potential to draw visitors from across India and beyond, further strengthening Meghalaya’s cultural tourism landscape,” he added.
In addition, in another first, the Shillong Chamber Choir, including lead vocalist William Richmond Basaiawmoit will perform – but not with song but in prose – their presence a celebration of the special gift they represent to the world. Cyril Diengdoh, IAS, will be in conversation with Sam Darymple.
A major attraction promises to be Jamling Tenzing Norgay, mountaineer and son of the legendary Tenzin Norgay who climbed Mt. Everest, while representatives of the administrative services – both IAS and IPS – will engage on ‘Scaling Mount UPSC”, led by Sajjan Yadav of the Ministry of Finance. who wrote India’s Vaccine Story.
Historian David Syiemlieh, Patricia Mukhim, Editor of the Shillong Times, folklorist Desmond Kharkhongor and veteran educationist Glen C Kharkhongor, Paul Lyngdoh, poet and politician, Prof Sanjeeb Kakoty of IIM Shillong are among prominent Meghalaya figures who form a critical part of the festival and whose books are either being released or are in conversation with the authors.
Others include Sanjoy Hazarika, whose River Traveller, Journeys on the Brahmaputra from Tibet to the Bay of Bengal, has just hit the stands and Shillong’s own thriller writer, Ankush Saikia. Arupa Kalita Patangia, Sahitya Akademiawardee from Assam, and Mmhonlumo Kikon, author of His Majesty’s Headhunters, are also presenting their unique work.
The star component is enriched by the Garo award-winning film director Domnic Sangma, actors Rajat Kapur and Vinay Pathak from Bollywood, who hav entertained audiences nationwide, as well as by Gino Banks, son of the legendary jazz musician, Louiz Banks, and his band. Merlvin Jude Mukhim, singer and actor from Oonatah and Ri and Alfidarie Kharsyntiew, provide a strong creative presence from the state.
