Website Design: The Guwahati
Guwahati: The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2024 concluded on December 15 at the Madhavdev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati. Organized by the Sankardev Education and Research Foundation (SERF), the three-day event carried the theme “In Search of Roots” and brought together writers, thinkers, and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate Northeast India’s rich literary and cultural traditions.
The festival honored veteran Nepali writer Bidyapati Dahal with the Pragjyotishpur LitFest Lifetime Achievement Award. Dahal, a Sanskrit scholar, thanked the organizers for motivating him to create more literary works. Suprakash Bhuyan, a rising Assamese storyteller, received the award for Promising Writer. Bhuyan dedicated the recognition to his readers and vowed to contribute more to Assamese literature.
Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury, an acclaimed academician, attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. He highlighted how festivals like this create space for young minds to explore ideas and connect with their roots. He also praised the contributions of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, emphasizing his message of harmony and unity.
The closing ceremony opened with a soulful Borgeet recital by Sarat Raag. Dr. Hirakjyoti Sharma anchored the event, while Dr. Yogesh Kakoti delivered the vote of thanks.
The festival featured captivating sessions on Assam’s history, culture, and identity. Scholars like Prof. Gajendra Adhikari, Dr. Prashanta Chakrabarty, and Dr. Jogendra Nath Sharma discussed how traditions from ancient Pragjyotishpur still shape present-day Assam.
A session on Regional Literature and Culture brought together researchers from Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. Moderated by Dr. Pari Hiloidari, this session showcased unique perspectives from the Northeast.
The Kavya Kaveri poetry session saw multilingual poets like Ratneshwar Basumatary (Bodo), Ravi Shankar Ravi (Hindi), and Dr. Deven Chapkata (Nepali) sharing their works. Two workshops on Creative Writing and Preserving Assam’s Natural Heritage attracted young participants and encouraged them to engage with storytelling and conservation.
The festival hosted insightful panel discussions on topics like heritage, technology, cinema, and journalism. Highlights included:
- Heritage and Technology: Experts like Dr. Dhruvajyoti Bora and Dr. Arup Nath discussed how technology can help preserve cultural traditions.
- Role of Brahmaputra: Er. Pradeep Bhuyan and Prashanta Boro explored the historical and ecological significance of Assam’s lifeline, the Brahmaputra River.
- Cinema and Society: Actor Kapil Bora and filmmaker Atul Gangwar emphasized how cinema can promote social change.
- Media and Credibility: Senior journalist Rupam Barua discussed challenges in maintaining truth in journalism amidst social media misinformation.
The festival began with an inspiring inauguration by Dr. Malini Goswami, former vice-chancellor of Assam Women’s University. Renowned personalities like Swaminathan Gurumurthy, J Sai Deepak, and Anand Ranganathan participated in the event.
The inaugural ceremony included cultural performances such as a mime act by Dr. Kuldeep Patgiri’s troupe, modern songs by Ananya Goswami, and traditional folk music by Hirakjyoti Sarma.
