Guwahati: The third Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival (PLF) 2025 commenced on Friday (14 November 2025) at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra premise marking the beginning of an literary exploration to go ‘In Search of Roots’. 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 Bhupen Hazarika, underscoring the linguistic and cultural richness of the far eastern part of Bharat.
Distinguished litterateur Nanda Singh Barkola, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, 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 Lt. General (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita, chairman of the organizing forum ‘Sankardev Education and Research Foundation’ and PLF president Phanindra Kumar Dev Choudhury.
The festival’s first panel discussion on ‘Transformation and Expansion of Assamese Lyric Literature: From the Nineties to the Present Era’ was moderated by lyricist and composer Gautam Sharma, where cultural personalities Tarun Kalita, Diganta Bharati and Ibason Lal Baruah participated and viewed their cautious optimism over the future of Assamese as a living language.
First day’s program of the three-day litfest concluded with a vibrant poetry recital session, where 14 emerging and established poets presented their self-composed literary works. A special highlight of the inaugural function was the release of the festival’s official magazine titled ‘Pragjyoti’. Earlier in the day, attendees paid floral tributes to Assam’s cultural icons—Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika, Pranar Shilpi Zubeen Garg and flute wizard Deepak Sharma.
