Shillong Literary Festival 2026 New Delhi Prelude Inaugurated At Bikaner House

The Shillong Literary Festival 2026 – New Delhi Prelude was inaugurated today at Bikaner House, marking a major lead-up to the main festival scheduled to be held in Shillong from November 12 to 14, 2026.

Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, the two-day prelude brings together prominent voices from literature, governance, cinema, journalism, and the creative arts. The initiative aims to highlight Meghalaya’s cultural identity while strengthening its positioning as a growing hub for literature, arts, and culture-led tourism.

A key highlight of the opening day was a conversation between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and senior journalist Shekhar Gupta, where they discussed leadership, youth aspirations, governance, and the evolving cultural identity of the Northeast.

The Chief Minister also spoke about building a sustained cultural calendar through events such as the Shillong Literary Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival, aimed at ensuring year-round cultural engagement.

Senior officials noted that the festival has grown into a recognised national platform showcasing the stories, literature, cinema, music, and heritage of Meghalaya and the Northeast. Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Tourism, said the festival reflects the region’s rich creative ecosystem and its expanding national presence.

The inaugural sessions also focused on the region’s film landscape, with filmmakers Dominic Sangma and Pradip Kurbah in conversation with journalist Suparna Sharma discussing the challenges and opportunities for Northeast cinema, along with the role of digital platforms in supporting independent creators.

A special literary highlight featured actor Naseeruddin Shah, who performed readings from Vikram Seth’s Beastly Tales from Here and There, alongside works by James Thurber, drawing strong audience engagement.

The programme also included readings from Khasi and Garo literature, celebrating the region’s oral traditions and linguistic heritage, with contributions from scholars and writers including Prof. Streamlet Dkhar and Dr. Crystal Cornelious D. Marak.

Day 2 of the prelude will focus on themes such as Northeast literature, ecology, food, translation, and identity, featuring speakers including Shobhaa De, Maharani Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, Sanjoy Hazarika, Namita Gokhale, and Patricia Mukhim.

The event will conclude with cultural performances under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP), showcasing the state’s vibrant musical heritage.