Shillong, Nov 20: The Shillong Literary Festival 2025 entered its second day with a powerful conversation on the future of indigenous writing, as Ward’s Lake hosted a session titled “Making Khasi Literature Travel.” The discussion brought together emerging voices, scholars, and cultural thinkers who explored how Khasi literature can expand its reach to national and global audiences.
The panel featured Professor Streamlet Dkhar, Dr. Bandarilin Bairo, and Alfidarie Kharsyntiew, with noted storyteller and literary scholar Basilica Nongpluh moderating the session. The speakers collectively underscored the importance of translation as a key tool in helping Khasi literature transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries. They cited successful participation in events such as the Northeast Literature Festival, Tata LitLive, and the Delhi World Book Fair as examples of how translated works have elevated Khasi writers on larger platforms. “Translation is not just about carrying the language; it is about carrying the soul of the community,” Professor Dkhar said.
The discussion also highlighted the shift in reading habits in the digital era, with readers increasingly gravitating toward online platforms, digital magazines, and social media spaces that encourage micro-fiction, poetry, essays, and creative expression. Dr. Bairo noted that digital environments have become “a free and open space for Khasi writers to express emotions, ideas, and creativity without depending entirely on traditional publishers.”
Alfidarie Kharsyntiew spoke on the growing role of technology in shaping the future of literature, pointing to tools such as AI for proofreading and language refinement, digital archiving for preserving rare Khasi texts, and reading apps that make literature accessible to wider audiences. She said that if used thoughtfully, these tools could propel Khasi literature to become one of the fastest-growing indigenous literary traditions globally.
Guided by pointed questions from the moderator, the panel examined the challenges that prevent Khasi literature from reaching global platforms, the need to cultivate skilled translators, the roles of government and private institutions, and how to make Khasi literature more appealing to younger readers on social media. These discussions opened the way for a deeper reflection on how community collaboration, translation initiatives, and digital innovation can collectively strengthen the literary landscape.
The session at Ward’s Lake concluded with a shared conviction that Khasi literature has the potential to travel far when writers unite, translators advance in skill and number, and digital tools are embraced as catalysts connecting stories with readers. The Shillong Literary Festival 2025 ultimately served as a powerful reminder of how far Khasi literature has come—and how much further it can go with continued passion, vision, and collective effort.
