The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2024 wrapped up at the Madhavdev International Auditorium of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, celebrating the region’s rich literary and cultural heritage. The event concluded with the presentation of the Pragjyotishpur LitFest literature awards, honoring veteran Nepali writer Bidyapati Dahal and emerging Assamese writer Suprakash Bhuyan. Renowned academic Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury, along with other distinguished guests, graced the closing ceremony.
Organized by the Sankardev Education and Research Foundation (SERF) under the theme “In Search of Roots,” the three-day festival from December 13 to 15 explored the Northeast’s deep cultural legacy. Dahal, a scholar of Sanskrit contributing significantly to Nepali and Hindi literature, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying it motivated him to create more. Bhuyan, known for his thought-provoking stories in Assamese literary magazines, remarked that the award reinforced his responsibility toward his craft.
Dr. Choudhury lauded the festival’s focus on heritage and self-awareness, emphasizing the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s universal philosophy and sense of harmony as an enduring inspiration. He noted the event’s role in fostering ideas among the younger generation.
2024 Pragjyotishpur literature festival stage. Photo c/o Nava Thakuria.
Exploring Roots and New Ideas
The festival featured engaging sessions and workshops that drew writers, intellectuals, and cultural researchers from across Northeast India. Discussions spanned heritage preservation, societal narratives, and evolving journalism. Highlights included:
- “Swabodh & Swabhimaan” Panel: Experts from Cotton University and other institutions traced Assam’s identity from its ancient Pragjyotishpur era to modern times.
- “Exploring Regional Literature & Culture”: Young researchers from Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh shared insights on the diverse voices of the Northeast.
- Workshops: Sessions on creative writing by Atanu Bhattacharya and natural heritage preservation by environmentalist Soumyadeep Dutta inspired participants.
Pragjyotishpur 2024 literature festival. Photo c/o Nava Thakuria.
Celebrating Northeast Literature and Art
Kavya Kaveri, a multilingual poetry session moderated by Bodo poet Ratneshwar Basumatary, brought together voices from diverse linguistic communities, while cultural performances, including folk songs and mime acts, added vibrancy to the festival.
Outside Pragjyotishpur literature festival. Photo c/o Nava Thakuria.
Prominent Assamese authors like Anuradha Sharma Pujari and other luminaries enriched discussions on topics such as heritage and technology, Brahmaputra’s cultural significance, and the media’s evolving landscape. Notably, panels explored cinema’s role in shaping societal narratives, with filmmaker Atul Gangwar and actor Kapil Bora emphasizing cinema’s power to inspire social change.
A Growing Literary Platform
Inaugurated by Dr. Malini Goswami alongside renowned economist Swaminathan Gurumurthy and Supreme Court advocate J Sai Deepak, the festival reinforced the Northeast’s importance as a cultural and literary hub. Organizing committee chief Taren Boro and SERF Chairman Lt. Gen. (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita affirmed their commitment to continuing this vital dialogue.
2024 Pragjyotishpur literature festival audience. Photo c/o Nava Thakuria.
The Pragjyotishpur LitFest ’24 ended on a high note, leaving participants inspired by the shared exploration of roots and visions for the future.
Assam is the central part of the ancient kingdom named Pragjyotishpur, that was later also known as Kamrup. The capital of Pragjyotishpur was located roughly in present day Guwahati. The kingdom extended to Jalpaiguri, Koch Behar, Bhutan hills (including some parts of Nepal), Rangpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Dhaka (now under Bangladesh), Tripura, Khasi & Garo hills, etc. For more information about Pragjyotishpur, see our 2023 Literature Festival story.
