Guwahati, June 23 (PTI): Litterateurs of over 20 languages of the North East are taking part in the North Eastern Literary Festival, orgaqnised by Sahitya Akademi, here to explore the traditional, prevailing and emerging trends of literature of the region.
"A democratic set-up is very necessary for literature to survive and flourish and Sahitya Akademi is committed to ensure that literary traditions and emerging trends of all languages gets its due recognition," Akademi president Vishwanath Prasad Tewari said at the inaugural session here last evening.
The North East has a rich tradition of oral and folk literature while contemporary writers are exploring new genres in the region which the Akademi is committed to highlight, he said.
"The Akademi views North East's literary developments with interest and importance and it is for this reason that it is organising a second literary festival within a few months," Tewari said.
Litterateur Temsula Ao, who writes in English, in her inaugural address said that authors from the region were writing the trauma and conflict in the region that has been affecting lives of the people for decades. But the most significant aspect was much of this writing was drawn directly and indirectly from the rich oral and folk traditions of the region, she said.
Sahitya Akademi award winning Assamese author Harekrishna Deka called for the setting up of an organisation to promote translation of creative works of the region into other languages.
Today, eminent litterateurs of the region Arindam Borkataki, Monalisa Changkija, Rashmi Narzary, Ph Iboyaima Sharma and D Kuolie participated in a discussion to unravel the varied emerging trends in North Eastern literature.
Pradip Jyoti Mahanta delivered a special lecture on the dynamics of literary vision of Srimanta Sankardeva, a 15th century spiritual leader, author and social reformer of Assam.
Authors of the region write in languages like English, Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Chakma, Kokborok, Lepcha, Nepali, Manipuri, Mizo, Tenyidie, Thadou Kuki, Mog, Dimasa, Galo, Garo, Karbi, Mao, Mising, Rabha, Rajbongshi, Tangkhul, Khasi, Ao, Halam and Tiwa.
