Guwahati is all set to turn into a vibrant hub of words, ideas, and creativity as the third edition of the Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival begins on 14 November 2025 at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Panjabari. The three-day festival, built around the theme “In Search of Roots,” promises to bring together some of the finest minds in literature, art, and culture for an engaging celebration of India’s intellectual and creative traditions.
Organised by the Sankardev Education and Research Foundation (SERF), the festival continues its mission of introducing the younger generation to India’s rich cultural heritage through meaningful literary dialogue. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Rana Pratap Kalita, chairman of SERF, along with Soumyadeep Dutta, Nava Thakuria, and Bikram Kalita from the organising committee, shared details about the upcoming event. They announced that, in keeping with tradition, the Pragjyotishpur Sahitya Award 2025 will honour both an eminent and an emerging author during the closing ceremony.
The festival will open at the Dr Banikanta Kakati Auditorium with a moving tribute to three of Assam’s most beloved cultural icons—Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen Garg, and flute maestro Deepak Sharma. The inaugural ceremony will be graced by acclaimed author Shefali Vaidya, who will deliver the keynote address, while eminent writer Nanda Singh Barkola will attend as the chief guest.
The first literary discussion will explore “Transformation and Evolution in Assamese Lyric Literature,” setting the tone for a series of thought-provoking sessions over the next two days. Discussions will range from the relationship between Assamese literature and journalism to the evolution of Assamese theatre, tracing its journey from Ankiya Bhaona to modern mobile theatre productions. Panels will also examine the role of nature writing, the growth of translated literature, and the continuing relevance of regional storytelling in a changing cultural landscape.
Two special sessions will spotlight the life and philosophy of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the legendary cultural icon of Assam, and the literary genius of Jnanpith awardee Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya. Poetry lovers can also look forward to multilingual poetry sessions, adding a lyrical dimension to the festival’s diverse lineup.
The events on the second and third days will unfold at the Madhavdev Auditorium, culminating in a valedictory session on Sunday, where Sahitya Akademi awardee Dr Apurba Kumar Saikia will be the chief guest.
Inviting literature enthusiasts to take part in the celebration, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Kalita expressed hope that the Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025 will continue to inspire dialogue, reflection, and creativity, strengthening Assam’s growing reputation as a hub of literary and cultural thought.
