Shillong: Nov, 21: The Shillong Literary Festival, held from 20 to 22 November 2025, unfolded as a vibrant celebration of ideas, creativity and cultural dialogue. Over three days, the festival brought together an impressive blend of literary exchanges—book reviews, talk shows, panel discussions and one-on-one conversations with authors—creating a lively atmosphere of reflection, learning and artistic engagement. The event featured prominent writers from Meghalaya alongside acclaimed literary figures from across India, offering audiences a diverse landscape of perspectives and narratives.
Beyond the formal sessions, the festival grounds brimmed with activity. Bookstalls attracted readers with new releases and timeless classics, while heritage displays showcased the region’s cultural richness. Among the most anticipated programmes was a storytelling session curated by the Riti Academy of Visual Arts, which drew large and appreciative crowds.
A standout highlight of the storytelling series was the musical performance by Khasi Cymru Music, an intercultural ensemble known for its unique fusion of Khasi and Welsh musical traditions. Formed in November 2024 through the Mair Jones Harp Scholarship under the William Mathias Music Centre in Wales, the group comprises five music graduates from Martin Luther Christian University. Their exposure to Welsh music during their scholarship experience has shaped their innovative artistic journey. Since then, they have performed at major festivals across Meghalaya and at selected platforms in other parts of India. Their recent month-long cultural exchange tour to Wales further deepened their musical collaboration, and they are now composing original works that reflect the melodic kinship between the two cultures.
The ensemble includes Aijingkmen Janong, Balasiewdor Ryntathiang, Nangteidor Nongkhlaw and Risaka Nancy Pyrbot. They were joined by actor and writer Banjop Leo Kharmalki, a prominent figure in the Phawar tradition. Kharmalki, who recently played the lead role in Apot – A Presage of Tiewlarun, has earned notable acclaim, with the film being selected for the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival and other prestigious platforms.
The storytelling presentation, grounded in KOT – Khasi Old Testament, a seminal work by Raphael Warjri, offered audiences a captivating journey into ancient Khasi creation stories. Renowned news anchors and cultural enthusiasts Fatima Nongbri and Lucetta Syiem brought these timeless narratives to life, recounting the origins of the universe and the genesis of humankind as preserved in Khasi mythology. Their delivery, rich in cultural context and expressive detail, transported listeners into the world of ancestral wisdom and oral tradition.
As the festival progresses into its final day, visitors can look forward to another immersive experience: the retelling of the Garo creation myth, accompanied by the musical ensemble of the Shill Achik Cultural Artistes Association. With this, the Shillong Literary Festival continues to weave a broader tapestry of indigenous storytelling, reaffirming the region’s deep cultural roots and its enduring commitment to artistic expression.
