The Guwahati Literature Festival (GLF) 2024 is set to honour the celebrated Assamese writer and former President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, Dr Nagen Saikia, with the prestigious Dhrupadi Asamiya Bhasha Award. Recognising his profound contributions to Assamese literature and his commitment to the promotion of the Assamese language, Dr. Saikia will receive the award at the festival’s upcoming event at NEF Campus in Saukuchi, Guwahati, from 8 to 10 November.
This year’s GLF holds particular significance as it celebrates the recent recognition of Assamese as one of India’s classical languages. The award ceremony for Dr. Saikia is set to be a central feature of the festival, organised under the leadership of GLF President Purabi Borah and Secretary Abid Azad, alongside their dedicated team.
Opening Session and Key Panel Discussions
GLF 2024 will kick off with a prominent panel discussion titled Classical Status to Assamese and Other Indian Languages: What Follows Next? The panel will gather renowned linguistic and literary experts, including Prof. N. Gopi, a distinguished Telugu poet from Hyderabad, Dr. Kuladhar Saikia representing Assamese, Prof. Bishnu Charan Dash for Odia, and Ayesa Khatun for Bangla from Kolkata. Moderated by Sattyakee D’com Bhuyan, the session will begin with an inaugural address by Prof. Gopi and a keynote by celebrated Assamese novelist Rita Chowdhury, setting the tone for a series of enlightening conversations on language and cultural heritage.
Exciting New Events and Festival Highlights
In addition to its core literary panels, GLF 2024 is launching several innovative programmes that bring diverse forms of expression to the fore. Among these is the Queens’ Car Rally, celebrating women’s driving skills and leadership; Stand-Up Poetry, featuring live poetic performances; and Live Painting sessions that will interpret scenes from classic works, including the Assamese novel Asimat Jaar Heraal Seema and Anne Frank’s Diary.
The festival will also host a unique session on Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness, with representatives from Bhutan sharing insights into the nation’s approach to happiness and wellbeing. The GLF has previously drawn guests from across South Asia, including Bangladesh’s poet and journalist Shimul Salahuddin and the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Guwahati, who attended the 2023 festival at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra.
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Diverse Cultural and Interactive Events
This year’s GLF will also feature a range of interactive sessions and activities, including book launches, art competitions, and cultural performances that highlight Northeast India’s unique heritage. The GLF Conclave will provide a platform for startup businesses to showcase their ventures, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among participants. Additionally, attendees can enjoy a cooking competition and an ethnic fashion show, which celebrate the region’s culinary and fashion traditions.
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