Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025 - A Literary Exploration To Go ‘In Search Of Roots'
By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam
18 November 2025
3rd PLF awards conferred on Deori and Ms Tamuli
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The curtain came down for the Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025 on 16 November, as two Assamese writers were felicitated in the valedictory ceremony at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra premise of Guwahati in the gracious presence of PLF president Phanindra Kumar Dev Choudhury, chief guest Dr Apurba Kumar Saikia and a galaxy of authors, critics, journalists and literary enthusiasts. The third annual PLF commenced on 14 November marking the beginning of a literary exploration to go ‘In Search of Roots'.
Tiwa scholar and a tireless researcher of the society–literature–culture–history, and a distinguished essayist Moneswar Deori along with emerging short-story writer Srotashwini Tamuli were honoured with PLF awards 2025. Accepting the award, Deori, who has for several decades enriched Assamese literature as well as research activities in culture and history of the land, expressed happiness and stated that he was deeply moved by the honour. Narrating his struggle and search works for the Tiwa ethnic community’s identity amidst many challenges, Deori added that many of his published books contain different events taking place in western Assam, which may be helpful for the research scholar and historians while penning a comprehensive history of Assam.
Srotaswini, the author of an Assamese story collection titled ‘Jalkhar and a research scholar at Birangana Sati Sadhani State University, admitted that receiving the award at an early stage of her literary journey had enhanced the sense of responsibility in the field of creative writing. While addressing the closing session, Sahitya Akademi awardee Dr Saikia appreciated the three-day literary exploration, initiated by the Sankardeva Education and Research Foundation (SERF) with the theme ‘In Search of Roots', where he also hoped that the PLF would soon emerge as an important litfest across India. Dr Saikia also hoped that the festival would generate significant enthusiasm among the budding writers, translators, journalists, theatre & film workers as well as common literary appreciators.
Earlier, an analytical discussion on the literary works of Gnyanpeeth awardee Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya, where Akademi winning writer Anuradha Sarma Pujari, media columnist Rupam Barua, storyteller Pranjal Sharma Basishtha and researcher Smritirekha Bhuyan participated and enlightened the audience over the creations of Bhattacharyya, who is considered as one of best novelists in the country. Another important event marked on discussions regarding nature literature, which was conducted by wildlife activist and writer Soumyadeep Dutta. The vivid appreciator of Goutam Buddha’s teachings, Dutta elaborated on how literature on nature can nurture the society with firm bases on the roots.
A reflective discussion on the expanding horizon of Assamese translated literature was also organized where Akademi (translation) award recipient Bipul Deuri, another Akademi (translation) winner Diganta Biswa Sarma and young writer-translator Dr Nayanjyoti Sharma participated. A widely acclaimed scholar on the Indian knowledge system, Sarma opined that an honest translation is now admired as an original literary work. He also viewed that Sanskrit, though largely not a daily spoken language, cannot be neglected and it needs to be kept alive so that Indian regional languages get nourishment for the future generation. Nayanjyoti spoke about some difficulties but also a promising space for translation works from Assamese to other languages and vice versa.
A special highlight of the litfest was the release of souvenir titled ‘Pragjyoti' and attendees paying floral tributes to Assam’s three cultural icons—Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika, Pranar Shilpi Zubeen Garg and flute maestro Deepak Sharma. Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session, internationally reputed author Shefali Baidya appreciated the festival’s evolving journey and its mission to reconnect younger generations with their cultural and intellectual heritage. Opening her speech in Assamese, she invoked the timeless songs of Dr Hazarika, underscoring the linguistic and cultural richness of the far eastern part of Bharat.
Distinguished litterateur Nanda Singh Barkola, who also graced the occasion, highlighted India’s growing global stature while painting a vivid portrait of the nation’s cultural heritage. Aligning with the festival’s theme, he referenced Bhupen-da’s iconic song ‘Karbi Anglong Oti Numoliya, encouraging a return to pre-Sankari traditions to rediscover forgotten literary roots. The session was also addressed by SERF chairman Lt. General (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita and PLF president Dev Choudhury.
URl: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/pragjyotishpur-literature-festival-search-roots/d/137666
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