Are literary events dying a slow death in state?

SHILLONG, Nov 3: Since its inception in 2016, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival has emerged as one of Meghalaya’s most celebrated cultural events, renowned for its large-scale concerts and visually striking attractions, which showcase international and national music stars. In contrast, the Shillong Literary Festival, launched in 2021 under the same cultural banner, has struggled to garner comparable investment and promotion. This disparity raises questions about the government’s cultural priorities and commitment to promoting literary arts alongside music.
Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, a poet and author whose recent work The Distaste of Earth was longlisted for the JCB Prize, shared his perspective on the imbalance. “There was a time when people in Shillong had a strong reading culture. Lending libraries were common, and literature was valued — even as entertainment,” he said. “But as other mediums gained popularity, that habit faded. Now, the government invests heavily in crowd-pulling events like music festivals, while the potential of literary festivals remains under-utilised.”
While the Cherry Blossom Festival has expanded significantly with government support, attracting large crowds from both locals and tourists, the Literary Festival has yet to experience similar growth. This difference has left writers, educators, and students concerned about the future of literature in Meghalaya.
A student visiting the last lending library in Laitumkhrah shared her thoughts: “I come here often as an avid reader, but the owner is considering closing it down due to declining interest,” she said. “I was excited about the literary festival when it began. I wish we could reach the level of events like the Goa or Jaipur literary festivals, with guests like Booker or Pulitzer Prize winners.”
This year’s Literary Festival has a few notable guests, but it still falls short compared to the lineup of the music festival, reflecting a government preference that leans heavily toward music.
Bijoya Sawian, a Shillong-based author known for Journey from Sylhet to Shillong and Shadow Men, commented on the waning interest in literature. “Over the past two decades, there’s been a noticeable dip in the appeal of literature. Music is more accessible and connects with people instantly, while literature requires more engagement,” she said. “Places like Dehradun have programmes to promote local literary talent. We need similar support here to ensure our writers and poets are heard.”
Students and educators echo these concerns. “We have plenty of music shows but very few literary events,” said Marin Syiem, a high school student. “Music is great, but we also enjoy reading and would love more chances to meet authors or attend book readings. These experiences can be inspiring and educational.”
Maity Khongwir, another student, added, “The government should promote literary festivals with the same enthusiasm as music events. Literature is more than entertainment — it broadens our perspectives. Many of my friends love reading, but public events featuring authors or book discussions are rare. If the Literary Festival received the same attention as the Cherry Blossom Festival, it could change how young people view books and reading.”
Sawian emphasised the lasting value of literature compared to music festivals. “A rock concert with international bands brings excitement, but it’s temporary,” she said. “Literature, however, has a lasting impact. Supporting it means fostering a culture where stories, especially local ones, are valued and shared.”
Book fairs and similar events in Shillong remain limited. A local school teacher shared their experience: “We organised a book week once, and the response was fantastic. Students were eager to participate and discover new books. If such events had more consistent support, it could make a big difference.”
Summing up the sentiments of many in the literary community, Nongkynrih remarked, “If we can host international music stars and invest in their shows, why can’t we do the same for Booker Prize winners or renowned authors? Literature is just as important as music. It’s time for the Shillong Literary Festival to receive the attention and resources it deserves.”
The lingering question remains: while music concerts and festivals thrive throughout the year, can we expect the same level of investment and ambition for literary events?