Presents
NOVEMBER 20, 21 & 22, 2025
10:00 AM ONWARDS
WARD'S LAKE, SHILLONG
A Celebration of Words, Culture, and the Hills
Introduction
Meghalaya, a paradise of clouds and rain, is celebrated for its rich folklore and storytelling traditions. The region's literary talent creates narratives that beautifully reflect its captivating nature and the wisdom of its people. The three main tribes - Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo - have, for generations, passed down tales of their ancestors, folklore, and stories of cultural heroes, often intertwined with natural elements. Storytelling has become an integral part of everyday life, and to provide a platform for writers, poets, and thinkers to share their insights and engage with a broader audience, the capital city hosts the Shillong Literary Festival every year in November.
Since 2021, the festival has taken place at Ward's Lake. The crisp winter air, warmed by the gentle sun, the serene lake, and the delicate pink cherry blossoms create a magical ambiance, making this venue an ideal choice for such a celebrated event.
The Shillong Literary Festival offers a deep dive into the minds of great writers from Meghalaya as well as from different parts of the country and the world. The engaging conversations between authors provide an opportunity to explore the connection between tradition, storytelling, and modernity. In addition to the literary activities, the festival also features live performances and food stalls that showcase the culinary wonders of local entrepreneurs, further enhancing the experience for all who attend.
Edition I
The 1st Shillong Literary Festival (Nov 25, 2021) inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri. Conrad K. Sangma and Japanese Ambassador to India, Satoshi Suzuki featured authors, journalists, discussions, and Devdutt Pattanaik's book launch.
Edition II
The 2nd edition of the Shillong Literary Festival was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma on November 21, 2022, featuring noted personalities like Rahul Bose and Temsula Ao. However, the remaining two days were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Edition III
The 3rd Shillong Literary Festival (Nov 14–16, 2023) featured writers Sam Miller, Janice Pariat, and Ankush Saikia, book launches, performances, and interactive storytelling celebrating creativity.
Edition IV
The 4th Shillong Literary Festival (Nov 18–20, 2024) featured Shobhaa De, Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, Jerry Pinto, and H.E. Firat Sunel, with book launches, talks, and vibrant performances.
- 10:15 AM
Shillong Literary Festival Prelude
- 11:00 AM
Ikigai: Francesc Miralles discusses the Japanese way of life that inspired his iconic book. In conversation with Desmond Kharmawphlang.
- 11:40 AM
River Traveller: Sanjoy Hazarika traces the story of the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra from Tibet to the Bay of Bengal. In conversation with Preeti Gill
- 12:20 PM
Puri - The Shape of Water: Sonal Jain and Desmond Kharmawphlang discuss myths, folk traditions, nature, and cautionary tales hidden in local legends. In conversation with Ellerine Diengdoh
- 01:00 PM
The Whispering Mountains: Live drawing by Dennis Laishram, reading by Valden John Pariat; followed by Rosy Chamling and Hoihnu Hauzel discussing folklore in different parts of the Himalayas. In conversation with Jemimah Marak
- 02:10 PM
Is She Wise? - Monica Thomas, Gladinia Pyrtuh, Anthony Durpui. In conversation Moushumi Chakraborty (Launch of Khamnu Khah A Var Im? Is She Wise?)
- 02:30 PM
Heal The World: Jerry Pinto and Neena Verma on grief, care, mental health and why empathy matters. In conversation with Malavika Banerjee
- 03:20 PM
Shattered Lands: Sam Dalrymple discusses his debut with Cyril V. D. Diengdoh
- 04:00 PM
From Shillong to Saigon - Marketplaces as the Crossroads of Culture: Etawanda Saiborne, Freddie M. Majaw, and Amanda C. Tongper. In conversation with Sanjeeb Kakoty
- 04:50 PM
Heart Lamp: Banu Mushtaq discusses her Booker International Prize-winning short story collection with Patricia Mukhim
- 05:30 PM
Ka Jingïaid Lynti jong ka Litereshor Khasi (Making Khasi Literature Travel): Streamlet Dkhar, Bandarilin Bairo, Alfidarie Kharsyntiew on the roles of translations, literature platforms, and technology in the future of Khasi literature. In conversation with Basilica Nongpluh
- 06:20 PM
Programme ends
- 06:25 PM onwards
Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project Performances. (Venue: Ward’s Lake)
- 06:45 PM
Nothing Like Lear: Solo act featuring Vinay Pathak, directed by Rajat Kapoor. (Venue: U Soso Tham Auditorium)
Banu Mushtaq
Kannada language writer whose book 'Heart Lamp: Selected Stories' won the International Booker Prize 2025.
Shehan Karunatilaka
Author of ‘The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida’, which won the Booker Prize in 2022.
Francesc Miralles
Renowned Spanish author best known for co-authoring the international best seller 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' with Hector Garcia.
Rajat Kapoor
Acclaimed filmmaker, actor, and writer known for offbeat films like Ankhon Dekhi, Mithya, and RK/RKay, blending realism with philosophy and subtle humor.
Sam Dalrymple
Scottish author and historian, whose debut book 'Shattered Lands' was shortlisted for the 2025 Eastern Eye Award for History and longlisted for the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman 2025 for Best Debut.
Anita Agnihotri
A poet and author born in Kolkata, her recent novel 'Labanakto' has been translated by Arunava Sinha and published by Penguin Random House as 'A Touch of Salt.'
Upamanyu Chatterjee
Sahitya Akademi Awardee, his book ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life’ won the JCB Prize for Literature in 2024.
Vinay Pathak
Critically acclaimed actor and theatre artist, best known for his standout performances in Bheja Fry, Dasvidaniya, and Khosla Ka Ghosla, which redefined Indian independent cinema with wit and realism. His best-known works on stage are the solo play Nothing Like Lear, Macbeth: What's Done is Done and Karamjale Brothers, an adaptation of The Brothers Karamazov.
Jerry Pinto
Author and poet Jerry Pinto's book 'Helen: The Life and Times of an H-Bomb' won the National Film Award for Best Book on Cinema in 2007.
Jamling Tenzing Norgay
The Climbing Leader for the IMAX documentary Everest, he wrote 'Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest' reflecting on his relationship with his father and his 1996 ascent.
Prayaag Akbar
novelist and journalist, known for his novel 'Leila', which received the Crossword Jury Prize and the Tata Literature First Book Award.
Preeti Gill
Editor and literary agent, her new anthology, 'But I Am One of You: Northeast India and the Struggle to Belong' was co-edited with Samrat Choudhury.
Jyotsna Mohan
A recipient of the Sanatan Puraskar for Literature in 2025, is the author behind 'Stoned, Shamed, Depressed' (HarperCollins, 2020) and 'Pratap: A Defiant Newspaper'
Kanishka Gupta
Founder of Writer’s Side, a literary agency; his 2009 debut novel, ‘History of Hate’, was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize.
Keshava Guha
Author of the novels ‘Accidental Magic’ (HarperCollins India, 2019) and ‘The Tiger's Share’ (John Murray, 2025)
Sonal Jain
Sonal’s works has been featured at Guggenheim New York, Deutsche Guggenheim, Venice Biennale 2011, British Museum 2016, and Shanghai Biennale 2016–17.
