Shillong Bids Adieu To The Fourth Edition of Literary Festival
The three-day Shillong Literary Festival 2024 concluded on November 20, 2024, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of literature lovers, writers and cultural enthusiasts from across the country. The three-day event, held at the Ward's Lake, witnessed enthusiastic participation of more than 15,000 attendees, celebrating the power of words, stories and creativity.
In his keynote address at the Closing Ceremony, His Excellency Firat Sunel, stated, “Literature is a vessel that carries the voices of all who came before us. It allows us to hear voices that has been marginalised and silenced in official histories. With the forgotten folklore project in Shillong, Meghalaya has shown its commitment for protection of its cultural heritage.” He said, “Meghalaya is a state of nature borne musicians.” He lauded the musical talent the state hold and invited the musicians of Meghalaya to perform in Turkiye.
Hon’ble Tourism Minister Bah Paul Lyngdoh stated, “It is indeed a privilege for me to bring the curtains down for the 4th edition of Lit Fest, 2024.” He said that this edition of Shillong Literary Festival has been the most successful edition of the literary festivals. “Lit Fest, 2024 is just a precursor for the next level where we will elevate and enhance the experience of literature.” He thanked his excellency, the Ambassador of Turkiye for inviting musicians of Meghalaya and accepted the invitation stating that the state will certainly take its best musicians to perform in Turkiye. Cuisine, culture, climate, customs- all of these are very strong and powerful USPs of Meghalaya, as a state.
Day Three of the festival opened with ‘The Lighthouse Family’, a candid conversation with His Excellency Firat Sunel, Ambassador of Türkiye, moderated by Cyril V. D. Diengdoh, IAS, Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya. His excellency Firat Sunel gave an eloquent introduction into his book where he took the audience to the “historical fiction set against the backdrop of Second World War.” On being asked about how he manages diplomacy and literature together, he added, “As a diplomat you meet a lot of people. You don’t need to run behind the story. The story comes to you.”
The session Words on Screen: Bollywood x Northeast, featuring Nicholas Kharkongor, Director of Axone and Nancy Nisa Beso in conversation with Mayank Shekhar, explored the intricate relationship between the film industry and the representation of Northeast India.
Travel: The World and Northeast India, a conversation between Samrat Choudhury and Mitra Phukan, took attendees on a metaphorical journey reflecting on growing prominence of travel writing. Choudhury, while discussing his book ‘A Braided River’ and his travel anecdotes besides the Brahmaputra, said, “The Brahmaputra is the original highway of the entire region”.
The magic of oral storytelling came alive during the session: The Power and Magic of Oral Storytelling, where Desmond Kharmawphlang engaged in a spirited discussion with Janet Dkhar. Desmonfmd Kharmawphlabg said, “There is a misconception that all the epics are written. There are these amazingly long complex stories which are not characteristic as epics as they are not there in the written version”, reflecting on oral storytelling in Garo hills and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.
Nina Sabnani, in conversation with Samanda Nora Pyngrope, unravelled the art of storytelling in animation and film during the session Crafting Worlds.
In the penultimate session of the three-day celebration of literature titled ‘Publishing Unveiled: The Art of Fact and Fiction’, Elizabeth Kuruvilla and Anindita Ghose examined the delicate balance between truth and imagination in publishing. The session provided aspiring writers with valuable insights into navigating the world of literature and publishing.
The festival concluded with a closing ceremony, featuring a keynote address by His Excellency Firat Sunel in presence of Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism. The welcome address to the closing ceremony was given by Cyril VD Diengdoh, Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya.
The evening culminated in a mesmerising musical performance, Mamma Mia, by the talented students at St. Edmund’s School, leaving the audience enthralled. Every evening, the artists from MGMP performed in the festival alluring the visitors.
The 4th edition of this literary extravaganza, till date, has been the most successful festival in terms of footfall (Over 15,000 visitors) as well the line-up of speakers and moderators, ranging from the legends like Vikram Seth, Shobha De, Jerry Pinto, Anita Agnihotri, Arupjyoti Saikia, Kynpham S Nongkynirh, Sanjoy Hazarika, Madhu Raghavendra, Patricia Mukhim, Malavika Banerjee, Kanishka Gupta and many other doyens from the field of art, literature and cinema.
