By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 18: The fourth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival drew an unexpectedly large crowd, with an impressive footfall of over 3,500 on its opening day. For once, the festival witnessed no empty chairs, as literature enthusiasts stood on the banks of Ward’s Lake, eager to hear from authors like Vikram Seth, Jerry Pinto, and Shobha De.
The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday, who expressed optimism about the festival becoming a regular feature on national and international cultural calendars. “This festival is about our people and the youth of Meghalaya. It is a platform to engage, learn, and connect with writers and thinkers from across the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the festival’s potential to go beyond literature, incorporating fine arts and promoting research and documentation of Meghalaya’s cultural heritage.
One of the day’s standout moments came when Vikram Seth took the stage, delivering a captivating session wherein he referred to Shillong as the “Kyoto of the West,” Seth shared a personal revelation about his connection to the city through Rabindranath Tagore’s Shesher Kobita, parts of which his mother read to him before his birth.
During the session, he lifted his glass with a chuckle, noticing the coaster clinging to its base, and remarked with amusement: “Perhaps this is a metaphor for my connection with Shillong, an adhesive tendency.”
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh also emphasised the role of literature in connecting human aspirations with the divine. Meanwhile, columnist and author Shobha De called the festival the ‘prettiest’ one she had ever attended, praising the Chief Minister’s efforts to promote Meghalaya’s cultural identity.
The day unfolded with a range of engaging sessions. Kynpham S Nongkynrih opened the discussions by delving into his book, The Distaste of the Earth, which explores Khasi folklore and history. Further, Sabir Hussain shared insights on how travel shaped his writing, while Mario Pathaw and Kenneth Thangkhiew discussed the creation of visual narratives.
Vikram Seth returned to the spotlight with a session titled “A Suitable Author,” where he read excerpts from his works and shared his journey with literature. Jerry Pinto engaged the audience with a discussion on his book, The Education of Yuri, while Shobha De wrapped up the day with a session that encouraged aspiring writers to continue honing their craft and emphasised the need for fair pay for creators.
The festival’s first day concluded with a musical evening featuring performances by local artists under the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project.
The inaugural ceremony also had in attendance, FR Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Arts and Culture department, Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Tourism.
The second day of the Litfest is expected to see some interesting conversations that include Shobha De, Patricia Mukhim in conversation with Shahana Chatterjee, in a session titled, ‘Midnight daughters’ about growing up with the Republic.