By Staff | Culture & Society
Dibrugarh has long been known for its tea gardens, riverbanks, and slow-moving heritage. This month, the Upper Assam town is preparing to add something new to that identity a serious place on India’s literary map.With the launch of Aakhar, a curated literary dialogue initiative by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, Dibrugarh is hosting its first structured, national-level literary conversation. It is a moment that marks not just an event, but a cultural shift.
At a time when Indian literature is rediscovering regional voices, Aakhar in Dibrugarh signals that meaningful cultural conversations no longer belong only to metro cities.
Why Aakhar in Dibrugarh
This is not a routine book launch or ceremonial gathering.Aakhar has been designed as a conversation-led literary platform, where ideas are explored through dialogue rather than speeches. The focus is on reflection, lived experience, and intellectual exchange something rarely accessible in smaller cities.
For Dibrugarh, this is its first-ever curated literary event, placing it firmly within India’s evolving cultural landscape.
Key Highlights
- First curated literary dialogue hosted in Dibrugarh
- Initiative by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation
- Features Padma Shri awardee Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi
- Supported by Oil India Limited
- Focus on dialogue, not lectures
- Aims to build a long-term literary platform in Upper Assam
A Conversation
The inaugural Aakhar session will feature Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, one of the most respected literary voices from the Northeast, in conversation with poet and literary critic Satyakam Borthakur.Unlike conventional literary events where authors deliver prepared speeches, Aakhar prioritises open dialogue allowing stories, ideas, and cultural insights to unfold naturally.
This format invites audiences into the conversation, making literature accessible, intimate, and deeply human.
The Foundation Behind the Initiative
The event is organised by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, a Kolkata-based non-profit trust with a four-decade legacy in cultural and social work.Founded in the early 1980s by the late Dr. Prabha Khaitan, the Foundation has consistently supported:
- Literature and performing arts
- Education and intellectual exchange
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Its decision to bring Aakhar to Dibrugarh reflects growing national recognition of the Northeast’s cultural depth and literary relevance.
Institutional Support Strengthens Credibility
The initiative is being held with the support of Oil India Limited, a public sector enterprise deeply rooted in Assam’s history and development.Hospitality support is being provided by Cygnett Inn, ensuring a professional setting for speakers and attendes.These partnerships reinforce that Aakhar is not a one-off event, but a serious, sustainable cultural initiative.
Why Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi’s Presence
Awarded the Padma Shri in 2020, Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi has played a pivotal role in bringing the stories of Arunachal Pradesh and the Eastern Himalayas into India’s literary mainstream.
His work reflects indigenous life, migration, identity, and cultural memory themes that resonate strongly across the Northeast.His participation lends both literary stature and symbolic importance to Aakhar, underlining the value of regional narratives in national discourse.
What Comes Next for Aakha
According to organisers:
- Aakhar is planned as a recurring platform, not a single session
- Future editions may feature writers, thinkers, and artists from across India
- The focus will remain on structured, meaningful dialogue
- Dibrugarh is being positioned as a cultural hub of Upper Assam
Further details about upcoming sessions are expected after the inaugural event.India’s literary ecosystem is changing. Readers are moving beyond metro-centric narratives and seeking authentic regional voices.For Dibrugarh, Aakhar represents:
- Cultural decentralisatio
- National visibility for Upper Assam
- Inspiration for young readers and writers
- A stronger, confident regional identity
In an age dominated by fast digital content, live literary dialogue offers something rare depth, patience, and human connection.
FAQ
1.What is Aakhar?
Aakhar is a curated literary dialogue platform launched by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation.
2.Where is the event being held?
The inaugural session is being hosted in Dibrugarh, Assam.
3.Who is the featured speaker?
Padma Shri awardee and author Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi.
4.Is Aakhar a one-time event?
No. It is planned as an ongoing literary initiative.
5.Who can attend?
Readers, writers, students, academics, and cultural enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The arrival of Aakhar marks a defining cultural moment for Dibrugarh.By bringing respected literary voices, institutional support, and thoughtful dialogue to the city, the initiative opens a new space for sustained intellectual exchange in Upper Assam.
As India’s cultural conversations expand beyond traditional centres, platforms like Aakhar ensure that voices from the Northeast are not only included but heard, respected, and remembered