Gen Z Tales to LGBTQ Narratives drive 2nd day of DU International Literature Festival 2025

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The second day of the ongoing Dibrugarh University International Literature Festival 2025, being held from Feb 5 to Feb 8 at Dibrugarh University, today, witnessed an energetic discussion on 18 different themes bringing together authors, thinkers, and poets from 120 countries in the world.

The day saw the presence of eminent writers and personalities such as Uzbek journalist and writer Hamid Ismailov, Ukrainian poet Kateryna Babkina, Professional translator Maria Reimondez, Indian Novelist Saikat Majumdar, Authors AR Venkatachalapathy, Vikas Swarup, Inga Simpson, Kiran Khalap, Samson Kambalu, and Damodar Mauzo, Northern novelist Lucy Caldwell, Editor AJ Thomas, Economist Abdulai Sila, Authors Siphiwo Mahala, Writer Annie Zaidi, Robin S Ngangom, and Anuradha Sarma Pujari among others.

During one of the highly anticipated sessions titled Young and Sensitive: Writing for Gen Z, Harsita Hiya engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Hamid Ismailov, Kateryna Babkina, and Maria Reimondez. The conversation centered around analyzing how the complexity of identity, along with the digital world, shape the genres and themes of young adult literature.

Kateryna Babkina highlighted the evolving role of literature for Gen Z, stating, “While Gen Z embraces digital platforms, literature remains a powerful tool for challenging past beliefs, addressing queer issues, defying gender norms, and fostering a sense of community. It serves as a medium for self-expression and social debate, allowing young readers to navigate and reshape the world around them.”

Another significant session was The Genre Less Explored: Challenges of LGBT and Queer Writings, where Debajanee Bora, Assistant Professor of Centre for Women Studies, conversed with K Vaishali and Saikat Majumdar on the struggles and triumphs of queer literature. The discussion explored representation, inclusivity, and the barriers LGBTQ writers face in mainstream publishing.

In addition to these themes, the festival offered a dynamic lineup of discussions, workshops, and literary explorations. The session titled Penning the Campus delved into the nuances of writing about college life, student experiences, and the intersection of academia and storytelling.

Ritushmita Sharma, an Assistant Professor of English Department, Dibrugarh University, moderated an engaging conversation with the authors including Nabin Baruah, Anuradha Sarma Pujari, Megha Rao, and Soma Das, reflecting on the literary portrayal of campus spaces, youth culture, and the emotions tied to university life. “Campus novels turn regular writers into great storytellers, inspiring young voices to write freely and authentically,” said Nabin Baruah. The speakers emphasized on the freedom of authentic writing, urging young writers to embrace their unique voices and explore diverse storytelling without genre boundaries.

Other highlights of the festival were sessions like The Public Intellectual & The Masses, where Rahul Jain Curator and Coordinator of DUILF, moderated a compelling conversation with AR Venkatachalapathy, Saikat Majumdar, and Siphiwo Mahala on the role of public intellectuals in shaping societal narratives. Another engaging session, Exploring Unconventional Themes in Novels, saw Krishnan Srinivasan and Vikas Swarup in conversation with Inga Simpson, Kiran Khalap, and Samson Kambalu as they pushed the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

The festival also turned its focus to the changing landscape of book retail with The Flip Side of ‘Amazon’: Small Book Shops, Big Vision. Led by Lekha Rai, this discussion focused into the resilience of independent bookstores, featuring insights from Vanlalruata Ralte, Martin Thokchom, and Pradipta Sankar Hazarika. Meanwhile, Dhruba Hazarika moderated the session Short is Beautiful, with Damodar Mauzo, Lucy Caldwell, AJ Thomas, and Abdulai Sila, celebrating the magic of brevity in storytelling. 

For those curious about the journey of a book from ideation to publication, Journey of a ‘Good’ Book offered an insightful session with Karthika VK in conversation with Dhruba Hazarika, Rahul Soni, and Kanishka Gupta. Poetry also took the center stage in Verses for Courses: Flairs and Flavours of Poetry, a session chaired by Robin S Ngangom, where poets Salma, Carla Marisa Fernandes, Ibohal Kshetrimayum, and Rabindra K Swain brought their verses to life. 

Another session on Dialogues in the Light: The Ability to Be Extraordinary, explored themes of disability, creativity, and resilience. Moderated by Shaneel Mukerji, the discussion featured insights from Kishor Mohan Bhattacharyya, K Vaishali, and Shiuli Barua, each bringing their perspectives on overcoming challenges through artistic expression. 

The day also featured a diverse range of insightful sessions, including Workshop on 4ourth Era of Branding by Kiran Khalap, introduced by Barnali Patowary, and Len(d) Me Your Eyes: Writing Through the Lenses, where Vivek Menezes explored visual storytelling with Joy LL Pachuau, G Kanato Chophy, and Thomas Mathew. The Family in the Novel saw Kanishka Gupta in discussion with Rashmi Narzary, Shubnum Khan, Paramita Satpathy, and Ernis, while Playing It Right had Siphiwo Mahala engaging with Alvydas Slepikas, Annie Zaidi, Lucy Caldwell, and Satya Mohanty on his dramas, including Breathless, King’s Dream, and Sin Mobile. The festival also hosted Soumya Swaminathan Unveiled, with Jairam N Menon in conversation with Anuradha Mascarenhas, and Nepal Narrative: People, Palace, and Politics, where Smriti Ravindra spoke with Amish Raj Mulmi and Ranjit Rae. Other highlights included Up, Close, and Impersonal: The Subtle Art of Penning Business Biographies with Rahul Jain, AR Venkatachalapathy, Soma Das, and Jairam K Swain, Publishing Decoded with Dibyajyoti Sarma, Abdulai Sila, Karthika VK, and Manu Dash, and Nalanda: A Book, A University, and a History, where Kaustubh Deka conversed with Abhay K. These sessions enriched the festival, offering thought-provoking discussions on literature, storytelling, and the ever-evolving landscape of writing.

With a strong focus on emerging voices and contemporary issues, the second day of the Dibrugarh University Literature Festival 2025 celebrated literature’s power to reflect diverse experiences and spark meaningful conversations.

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