Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Gangtok prepares for the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival. It runs from October 28 to 30 at The Ridge Park. Expect writers, poets, and musicians to gather for three days of sessions covering history, memory, and Himalayan life. The Sikkim government Students' Welfare Board put the event together.
MLA Aditya Golay says the event highlights Himalayan voices in the national story. The guest list includes heavyweights like William Dalrymple, Ranjit Hoskote, Mamang Dai, and Chuden Kabimo. Other guests include Nawaraj Parajuli, Yuvan Aves, Guru T Ladakhi, and Stephen Alter. They will lead talks on borderland identity, home, and the bond between people and mountains.
Music kicks off on October 28 with a tribute to legends Mehdi Hasan, Begum Akhtar, and Noor Jehan by the Delhi-based group Aagaaz. Flautist Kartikeya and percussionist Makrand play the morning of October 29. Indian Ocean takes the stage that evening. Neeraj Arya's Kabir Cafe closes the festival on October 30. The band blends rock, reggae, and pop to remix 15th-century mystic poetry.
SWB chairman Sonam Chopel Sherpa believes the event helps local youth find their voice. He stated, "The festival would give young people an opportunity to engage with diverse literary traditions and recognise their own languages, experiences and stories as part of a broader cultural conversation." Organizers want to turn Sikkim into a major hub for arts while helping new artists meet established industry figures.
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