The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival (SALF) will return to Gangtok from October 28 to 30, bringing together writers, poets, thinkers and musicians from across India. The three-day event will feature performances by Indian Ocean and Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe alongside literary discussions, poetry readings and cultural exchanges.
Scheduled to take place at The Ridge Park, the festival will explore themes of identity, memory, belonging, history and life in the Himalayas, according to a statement issued by the Sikkim government’s Students’ Welfare Board (SWB).
MLA Aditya Golay said the festival would celebrate the voices and stories that place the Himalayas within India’s broader cultural landscape.
The literary programme will feature writers and poets, including Chuden Kabimo, Mamang Dai, Nawaraj Parajuli, Ranjit Hoskote, William Dalrymple, Yuvan Aves, Guru T Ladakhi and Stephen Alter, among others.
Sessions will examine the connections between people, culture and the mountains, with discussions focusing on the meaning of home, borderland identities, language and belonging.
SWB chairman Sonam Chopel Sherpa said the festival would provide young people with an opportunity to engage with diverse literary traditions and recognise their own languages, experiences and stories as part of a wider cultural conversation.
Indian Ocean, Kabir Cafe to Headline Musical Performances
The festival will open on October 28 with a performance by Delhi-based Aagaaz, paying tribute to legendary ghazal singers Mehdi Hasan, Begum Akhtar and Noor Jehan.
On the morning of October 29, flautist Kartikeya and percussionist Makrand will take the stage, followed by a performance by Indian Ocean in the evening. Known for blending Indian classical music with folk and contemporary influences, the band will be one of the key musical attractions of the festival.
Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe will headline the closing programme on October 30. The band is known for its contemporary interpretations of the works of 15th-century mystic poet Kabir, combining Indian folk traditions with rock, reggae, pop and Carnatic influences.
Festival to Promote Himalayan Culture and Young Talent
The organisers said SALF aims to strengthen Sikkim’s position as a cultural destination while creating opportunities for young audiences, emerging writers and artists to interact with established figures from the literary and cultural world.
By bringing literature, music and regional perspectives together, the festival seeks to highlight the diversity of Himalayan experiences and encourage conversations about culture, identity and belonging.
With a programme spanning literary discussions, poetry and live performances, the three-day event is expected to offer audiences a platform to explore the region’s cultural heritage alongside contemporary artistic expressions.