Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival ends after days of talks and music

Gangtok: The second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 ended on Oct 30 at The Ridge Park in Gangtok after three days of literary conversations, cultural exchange and musical performances, EastMojo reported.

Inauguration and official participation

The festival opened on Oct 28 with an inauguration by Aditya Golay, Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for Soreng-Chakung. Education Minister Raju Basnet delivered the keynote address, and Sonam Chopel, Chairman of the Students’ Welfare Board, was also present. The event was presented by the Students’ Welfare Board and the Education Department of the Sikkim government, produced by Teamwork Arts and organised under the initiative of the state government led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

Sessions on history, translation and nature

The opening day featured historian and author William Dalrymple in a session titled “A Life in History”, conversing with Tashi Chophel about the link between history and storytelling. The second day focused on translation and the relationship between literature and the natural world. In “In Other Words: Across Languages”, writers Ranjit Hoskote and Sandhya Subba discussed the movement of stories across languages with Arundhati Nath. A later session, “A Natural Disposition: A Life in Stories”, brought together Chetan Raj Shresta, Dhruba Hazarika and Mamang Dai to examine how landscapes shape literary imagination. At White Memorial Hall, “Tiny Tales, Tall Stories” featured Anuradha Sharma and Charmi Chheda in conversation with Puneeta Roy.

Musical performances and cultural showcases

Music formed a core part of the programme. The opening day included “Celebrating the Legends of Ghazal”, a tribute by Aagaaz, founded by vocalist Suhavi Kalsi, to singers Mehdi Hasan, Begum Akhtar and Noor Jehan. Members of the band Indian Ocean participated in “Indian Ocean Unplugged”, a conversation with Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, followed by a performance. The second day’s musical line-up featured “Mystical Journey through Flute and Rhythms” by Kartikeya and Makrand, and another set by Indian Ocean.

Closing day and Dalai Lama’s message

The final day highlighted Rajasthan’s folk traditions with “Khamma Ghani Sikkim: Rajasthani Folk”, presented by Magda Khan and Group, showcasing the Manganiyar community’s heritage. The closing performance was by Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe, which blended Indian folk music with rock, reggae, pop and Carnatic influences to reinterpret verses of the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir.

A special message from the 14th Dalai Lama was shared with participants. Recalling his visits to Sikkim since 1956, he praised the state’s natural beauty and the peaceful coexistence of its diverse communities. He highlighted literature, art and music as tools for promoting shared humanity across linguistic, cultural and religious differences, and welcomed the festival’s focus on folklore, biodiversity and climate change, urging preservation of the Himalayan region’s cultural heritage and fragile ecosystems.

Across the three days, SALF 2026 provided a platform for inter-generational dialogue, bringing together voices from Sikkim, the wider Himalayan region and other parts of India. The festival aims to promote reading, encourage creative expression and connect regional writers, artists, musicians and cultural practitioners with audiences across the country and beyond.