New Delhi, May 09, 2026: The two-day national prelude of the Shillong Literary Festival (SLF) 2026, organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, successfully concluded today, where eminent authors, thought leaders, filmmakers, journalists and others converged at Bikaner House, marking the end of two days of literary brilliance and creative dialogues.
Building on the momentum of the inaugural day, Day 2 offered a deep dive into Northeast literature, ecology, food, translation and identity.
The day commenced with a milestone as Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, launched Shillong: Glimpses of a City Through the Eyes of an Amateur Photographer by Bikika Laloo Tariang.
The inaugural session on ‘Bridge of Dreams: Aspirations and Opportunities for Tomorrow’ featured football icon Eugeneson Lyngdoh and entrepreneur Mayukh Hazarika. The discussion revolved around how Meghalaya’s local assets are being transformed into global opportunities across culinary heritage and sports. Hazarika highlighted the region’s climate and botanicals, driving international curiosity and tourism. On the athletic front, Lyngdoh emphasised the power of youth development and sports tourism. He complimented the State’s initiatives towards sports infrastructure, including the upcoming Mawkhanu Football Stadium as a project to foster a long-term ecosystem for athletes. Capturing the theme of the session, Hazarika concluded by noting, “When you create something phenomenal, which is scalable, everybody starts benefiting.”
This was followed by an insightful panel on ‘Shillong On A Plate’, featuring Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, Hoihnu Hauzel and Hammarsing Kharhmar, focusing on the flavours of the Northeast and Shillong’s food scene. Discussing Meghalaya’s culinary heritage, Scindia emphasised that Shillong is “not just tribal,” advocating for a broader global understanding. She also highlighted the nuances of local governance in supporting cultural ecosystems. Hoihnu Hauzel brought her extensive expertise in documenting indigenous ingredients, while Kharhmar delved into the intricacies of Khasi cuisine and its profiles, where tradition and modern expression come together. The panel also celebrated the “farm to table” concept as an authentic, everyday reality practiced in local Kong shops.
The panel on ‘Words and Worlds From The Northeast’ featured young emerging writers Subi Taba, Daribha Lyndem and Jim Kasom, focusing on the diversity of stories and lived experiences across the region. The conversation revolved around moving beyond stereotypes, the role of geography and natural environments as more than just a backdrop, while also touching upon avenues for local culture and readership.
With a strong emphasis on values, beliefs and attitudes towards the environment, the session on ‘Ecology and Identity’ saw eminent journalist Patricia Mukhim, Neha Sinha and Sankirang Khongwir discuss lessons from how Meghalaya’s stories and culture are rooted in nature. It established conservation as a long-term responsibility and highlighted intergenerational collaboration. The discussion also emphasised reclaiming vocabulary and oral histories for biodiversity conservation.
The panel on ‘Once Upon A Time At A Literature Festival’ saw eminent names like Namita Gokhale, Shobhaa De and Sanjoy Hazarika discuss how literary events impact authors and their importance as public forums. Gokhale read from her book Jaipur Journals and emphasised how festivals, especially grassroots ones in the Northeast, connect writers with readers. Shobhaa De highlighted the role of literature festivals in validating diverse voices and praised the Shillong Literary Festival for its organic and inspiring atmosphere that fosters authentic creative exchange. Hazarika spoke about the need for mentors to create an ecosystem and lauded SLF for the inclusion of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia recitations celebrating local culture.
The day ended with a session titled ‘Penning A New Future’, where D. Bandarilin Bairo and Barbara Sangma discussed the legacy and future of Khasi and Garo literature. The discussion highlighted how Garo literature, naming songs and folk arts reflect a return to cultural roots. Concurrently, they emphasised the deeply rooted legacy of Khasi literature, where centuries-old oral traditions and preserved folktales now seamlessly coexist with the written form.
Day 01 began with a landmark dialogue between Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and veteran journalist Shekhar Gupta. It was followed by a series of sessions featuring names like 2026 Pulitzer Prize winner Suparna Sharma and filmmakers Pradip Kurbah and Dominic Sangma. The evening was crowned by legendary actor Naseeruddin Shah, who reminded audiences how stories are the very breath of culture. The night concluded with the launch of the Khasi edition of the book Scaling Mount UPSC by Sajjan Singh Yadav, IAS.
Reflecting the artistic spirit of the State, the evening concluded with energetic performances by artists under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (CM-MGMP).
The convergence ensured that Meghalaya’s literary and cultural identity remains at the heart of this vibrant two-day celebration. With the resounding success of the national prelude, the 6th edition of the Shillong Literary Festival is set to take place at the iconic Wards Lake from November 12 to 14, 2026, promising days of literary conversations and creative exchange.
PRESS RELEASE