Linguistic diversity and historical inscriptions of north-east India took centre stage on the third day of the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025, with scholars and writers delving into the region’s cultural memory and the challenge of preserving endangered languages.
A session focusing on inscriptions from the north-eastern states, moderated by Dr ZD Lalmangaihzauva, brought together Dr Madhumita Barbora and writer-historian Arup Kumar Dutta. The discussion highlighted how ancient inscriptions offer vital insights into the political, administrative and religious history of the region, particularly Assam.
The speakers referred to inscriptions from the Kamarupa, Salasthambha, Chutiya and Ahom dynasties, pointing out how these records shed light on land ownership patterns, systems of governance and the spread of religious traditions, while also mapping the evolution of scripts and languages over time.
Dutta underlined the importance of inscriptions in understanding the growth of the Assamese language and cultural identity, noting the lasting influence of Vaishnavite reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. He also stressed the urgent need to document and preserve endangered languages through inscriptions, literature and oral traditions.
The afternoon sessions widened the focus to India’s broader linguistic landscape, with discussions on the languages of the Seven Sisters states, the role of tribal languages and changing trends in literary translation between Indian languages and English. Another session, titled “Urdu: From Past to Present”, traced the language’s historical journey and its relevance in contemporary times.
The day began with yoga and meditation sessions led by the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, before moving into a series of thought-provoking conversations. Linguist and scholar Prof. Ganesh Narayandas Devy led a session on “Language as Legacy: How Regional Tongues Safeguard Our Cultural Roots”, while another explored the Nalanda spirit as reflected in global linguistic and literary traditions.
Historian Dr Vikram Sampath, speaking on the need to reimagine Indian history from an indigenous perspective, argued that colonial-era distortions continue to shape historical narratives. He pointed to the difficulties of reconstructing history due to lost inscriptions, fragmented manuscripts and linguistic challenges, adding that historical understanding continues to evolve with new archaeological findings at sites such as Dholavira, Rakhigarhi and Sinauli.
Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik spoke about oral literature traditions, explaining how stories function as rituals that pass on values and belief systems across generations. He introduced the idea of “belief-based truth” to show how communities shape identity and belonging through narratives.
Reflections on Nalanda as a space for dialogue and coexistence came from Shovana Narayan and actor Akhilendra Mishra. Narayan said the essence of the ancient university lay in its openness to plurality and mutual respect, while Mishra discussed Indian philosophical and linguistic traditions, including concepts like the Maheshwar Sutras.
The day concluded with a classical performance by Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Sonal Mansingh. The festival enters its final day on Thursday.