Itanagar, November 15: The sixth edition of the Arunachal Literature Festival 2024 concluded on a vibrant note at the D.K. Convention Centre on Friday. The three-day event, organized annually by the Department of Information and Public Relations in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society, was inaugurated by State Governor KT Parnaik on November 13.
The festival brought together a plethora of literary talents, including renowned authors, poets, storytellers, and international delegates, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. Participants hailed from across the country and abroad, with a special delegation from Thailand adding an international flavor to the event. Budding writers and poets from Arunachal Pradesh actively engaged in various sessions, demonstrating the state’s growing literary enthusiasm.
Day Three Highlights
The final day opened at Tagang Taki Hall with a gripping session titled “Spine Chilling or Cool: Crime/Detective Fiction Writing”, moderated by writer Sanjay Mishra Srinjay. Panelists Rajesh Badal and Mitra Phukan shared their insights into the art of crafting compelling crime fiction.
Another session, “Future Writing: Varied Voices,” moderated by Vishal Pandey, explored the evolution of writing styles and featured voices like Moge Basar, Khushi Sharma, and Ramesh Karthik Nayak. Meanwhile, a discourse on “Vitality: The Significance of Oral Traditions Through New Modes of Transmission” showcased panelists Mahadev Toppo, Kanato Chophy, and Bompi Riba, emphasizing the role of oral traditions in modern storytelling.
For comic enthusiasts, Reena Puri and Rituparna Hazra from Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha conducted a workshop on comic illustration, drawing in a diverse audience eager to learn the craft of visual storytelling.
The “Meet the Author” session featured a conversation between moderator Ranju Dodum and author-poet Mmhonlumo Kikon from Nagaland, offering unique insights into Kikon’s literary journey. Children enjoyed an engaging storytelling session by Keselo Tayang from the Bamboosa Library team.
Eco-Literature and Poetry Beyond Borders
At Kengsam Kenglang Hall, the day began with senior journalist Ranju Dodum moderating a session on “Third Wave: Eco Criticism – Literature and the Environment,” featuring prominent panelists including Achyutanand Mishra, Saumyadeep Dutta, Harish Kapadia, and Raza Kazmi. This was followed by a Short Story Reading session, where writers like Mukesh Verma, Vijay Kumar Rode, Geyir Potom, Remon Longku, and Y.D. Thongchi Jr shared their narratives, leaving the audience captivated.
A notable highlight of the day was the session on “Poetry Sans Borders,” moderated by eminent poet Arun Kamal. International poet Sawien Jenkwao from Thailand mesmerized the audience with an audiovisual presentation of his Thai story, Glong Khao Noi Kha Mae (The Little Rice Box That Killed Mother). Esteemed poets like Hoshang Merchant and Professor Irom Gambhir Singh added depth to the session with their recitals, while queer rights activist Rituparna Neog shared her poignant poem Scarecrow.
The festival’s closing session featured Mehek Mirza Prabhu, whose storytelling prowess left the audience spellbound, providing a fitting conclusion to this year’s literary extravaganza.
A Platform for Literary Growth
The Arunachal Literature Festival continues to be a significant cultural and literary event, fostering dialogue, creativity, and collaboration among literary enthusiasts. With its diverse sessions and global participation, the 2024 edition was hailed as a resounding success, inspiring both established and budding writers alike.
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