The Guwahati Literature Festival (GLF) 2025 will return from October 31 to November 2, celebrating literature, art, and culture with a special focus on the life and legacy of late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The festival will take place at S.B. Deorah College Auditorium in Ulubari, organised in collaboration with S.B. Deorah College.
The inaugural ceremony, scheduled for 3 pm on October 31, will open with Borgeet performances followed by addresses from noted writers and scholars including Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah, Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, Dr Kuladhar Saikia, and Dr Surjya Hazarika. The session will also feature the presentation of the GLF Awards 2025, recognising achievements in literature, social service, and the arts.
This year’s GLF awardees include Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi (GLF Classical Assamese Language Award), Aashrawikaa Borah (GLF Nathan Brown Literature Award), Jiten Sarma (GLF Kalāratna Award), Devashish Sharma (GLF Administrative Excellence and Social Impact Award), Dr Abhijit Sharma and Major Hariman Deka (GLF Jeevandaan Award – jointly), and Junu Bora (GLF Naari Uttaran Award). In the previous edition, the Classical Assamese Language Award was presented to Dr Nagen Saikia.
A highlight of the first day will be the session “Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg — Their Song, Poetry, and Humanism”, exploring the creative and philosophical connection between the two artists. The day will also host an Entrepreneurs’ Conclave, where Moitreyee Das, Minakshi Kakoti, Tanushree Deka, and Prasanta Talukdar will discuss their professional experiences and ideas for innovation.
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The second and third days will feature discussions on Role of Media – News vs Narratives, Decoding Zubeen Garg, Women Stories, and Children’s Literature. Among the speakers are Lovlina Borgohain, Bandita Phukan, Dr Nanda Singh Borkola, Dr Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Gautam Sharma, Loken Das, Diganta Bharati, Raja Baruah, Dr Lima Das, Nasreen Habib, and others.
Other attractions include a spoken word performance by Aanchal Anita Dhara, an ethnic fashion show titled “The Zubeen Way”, a women’s bike rally by the Rider Queens, a cooking contest featuring Zubeen’s favourite dish, fish, and a live painting session inspired by his songs and poetry. A children’s drawing competition called “Zubeen Mama” will also be part of the programme. Each evening will close with musical performances celebrating Assamese culture.
Festival secretary Abid Azad said this year’s edition aims to celebrate Zubeen Garg’s creative spirit while providing a platform for writers, artists, and cultural thinkers to engage in dialogue and collaboration. “Through this festival, we aim to honour the icons of Assam while creating opportunities for new voices and creative partnerships,” he said.
Supported by NRL, OIL, IOCL, NABARD, and other organisations, the three-day festival will conclude on November 2.
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