HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, Feb 7: On the second day of the Brahmaputra Literary Festival 2026, reputed children’s author Arup Kumar Dutta addressed the session on ‘Children’s Literature, Imagination and the Future’, saying the digital generation, addicted to Rowlingian fantasy, is far removed from real life. The Shankar Literary Award winner noted he has largely stopped writing novels due to limited readership for real-life stories.
Held for the first time in Sivasagar and organised by Adharxila in association with Sibsagar Girls’ College, the festival brings together authors and artists from across the world. Sessions are being held simultaneously in four venues.
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In the children’s literature session, editor Santanu Tamuli emphasised writing with sincerity, while Shamim Nashrin highlighted parental influence on reading habits. Author Madhurima Gharphalia said each generation has its own tastes and priorities.
In another session, BBC correspondent Sachin Gogoi hosted war veterans Brigadier Ranjit Borthakur and Air Vice Marshal Sanjib Bordoloi, who discussed narratives on war, moral dilemmas and modern battlefronts. The session also featured children Martina Moran, Jhini Paarin and Subhrajit Goswami. Prof Sonaram Baruah’s translation of Mow Yan’s novel Change (Paribartan) was released by Dutta.
The inauguration on February 6 at Sibsagar Girls’ College featured Hungarian poet Daniel Levente Paul as Chief Guest, with Jana Bednarva (Slovakia), L So I Roy (Manipur) and Hrishikesh Baruah (Gauripur). Dr Rita Chowdhury, Director of Adharxila Trust, said the festival aims to rediscover humanity in literature for the next generation. A Walk of Humanity followed the event, anchored by Dr Shivaprasad Mili and Dr Kritanjoli Konwar.
