Shillong’s Ward Lake came alive this weekend with the inaugural Spoken Festival, a two-day event organized by Kommune in collaboration with the Meghalaya Tourism Department.
The festival, which concluded on Saturday, served as a dynamic platform for budding writers and poets to showcase their work while celebrating the region’s rich oral storytelling traditions.
The festival was officially inaugurated by Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, who highlighted the significance of the event in promoting both experiential tourism and the arts in Meghalaya.
“This is indeed a moment of joy for us to see how experiential tourism is being revitalized alongside arts and culture in the state,” Lyngdoh remarked, acknowledging the growing importance of creative events that intertwine culture and tourism in the region.
The event was designed to give emerging poets and writers the chance to connect with an enthusiastic audience, allowing for a vibrant exchange of ideas.
In his speech, Lyngdoh spoke of Meghalaya’s deep connection to oral traditions, noting that storytelling has been an integral part of the region’s culture long before the written word took root.
“The indigenous tribes of our state have a long history of oral traditions, with myths and legends passed down through generations,” he said.
The festival’s diverse lineup of performances kicked off with singer-songwriter Clayton Hogermeer, who captivated the audience with his musical storytelling.
Shillong’s own poets, Vancouver Shullai and Marbamonlang Rani, followed with powerful readings that explored themes of identity, home, and family.
Social media influencer and actress Kareema Barry also shared her personal stories, touching on topics like food, family, childhood, and the love for her city.
In addition to these performances, the festival featured a showcase by the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), which included a performance by pop-soul artist Elena Sohktung.
Poets Anees Ailynti Noronha, Priya Malik, and Tanmay Maheshwari shared their thought-provoking poetry, while storytellers Laksh Maheshwari and Madhu Raghvendra engaged the audience with compelling narratives.
Cyril Diengdoh, Director of Meghalaya Tourism, emphasized the festival’s importance in giving local authors and young talent a unique opportunity to interact with some of the country’s best artists.
He also noted that Shillong was the first city outside of Mumbai to host an edition of the Spoken Festival.
“This is a fantastic platform for local talent, and it will not only showcase Meghalaya’s cultural richness but also help promote the tourism sector,” Diengdoh said.
The Spoken Festival in Shillong marked a significant moment in the city’s cultural landscape.
By bringing together young artists, writers, and poets, the event showcased the emerging literary talent of the region while honouring the state’s oral traditions.
With continued support from the government and organizations like Kommune, the festival is set to further cement Shillong’s place as a hub for creativity and cultural expression in Northeast India.
