L-R: Raman Shresta, Vishü Rita Krocha, Teesta Guha Sarkar & Abhiruk Patowary, the panel for “Publishing with Purpose: Independent Publishers on Their Vision, Books and the Market.”
Morung Express News
New Delhi | February 9
Showcasing a wide range of literary, cultural and industry perspectives, representing Northeastern communities, the Brahmaputra Literature Festival was held at the New Delhi World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan from February 6 to 8 featuring 42 speakers across 12 sessions.
Presented by Adharxila Trust as part of the National Book Trust’s ‘Festival of Festivals’ initiative, this special edition of the Brahmaputra Literature Festival 2025 also featured speakers from Nagaland including Mmhonlumo Kikon, Poet & Author, Meren Imchen, Illustrator & Animation Film Director, Arkotong Longkumer, Writer, Researcher & Educationist, Canato Jimo, Picture Book Maker & Art Director at Pratham Books, Bangalore and Vishü Rita Krocha, Poet, Journalist & Publisher.
The 12 sessions focussed on diverse topics, including fiction, poetry, translations, children’s literature, graphic novels, music, food, publishing, bookselling and international literary exchanges.
The panel, “Sometimes words can't say it all: Visual stories from the Northeast” which Canato Jimo was part of, delved into storytelling through art with particular emphasis on crafting stories for children. The panelists also shared their journey of telling stories for children and young adults.
“Publishing with purpose: Independent Publishers on their vision, books and the market” highlighted the challenges of publishing books as independent publishers, whose visibility is also often limited to the region they publish from. It also delved into marketing and distribution of books, which are some of the major challenges as pointed out by the speakers in the panel.
During the reading and conversation, Mmhonlumo Kikon read from his book, “Slingstones” published by Rupa. He remarked during the conversation that “grief is the universal wellspring of poetry. He also spoke about his first book, The Penmi Poems while relating that he wrote it to remember the conversations he has had with his late wife.
“I wrote it immediately after she died, leaving me with two young daughters. I wanted to remember the conversations and keep it in writing for reference later so that when my daughters grow up, they will be able to read the conversations”, he said.
While he did not write it specifically to address his grief, he expressed that, “grief initially triggered me to write but when I look back at how I would like to remember the conversations, I went back to the tradition I came from, which is the oral tradition.”
Earlier on February 6, Kikon was also part of the panel, “Bridging Histories: Place in India's National Story.” On the same day, Meren Imchen & Arkotong Longkumer also participated in the panel, “Sometimes words can't say it all: Visual stories from the Northeast”.
Mention may be made here that Adharxila Trust, which was established in the year 2012 by acclaimed writer and cultural icon Rita Chowdhury, is a dynamic organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating the rich literary and cultural heritage of Assam and the greater Northeast region.
With a mission to engage and inspire the youth, the Trust amplifies the region’s voices, stories and traditions through literary festivals, cultural initiatives and collaborative projects that forge connections with the rest of India and the global community.
