Shillong Lit Fest has tremendous scope, more such fests needed: Poet Avner Pariat

Budding writer, Avner Pariat, who, according to his own admission, coaxed himself to write a book of poetry in Khasi, his mother tongue, felt the ongoing Shillong Literary Fest was a much needed event and had scope for growth.

“There should be more outreach for this festival. It’s always a good thing when writers, thinkers and painters come together. These are personally I would like the government to be more involved rather than song and dance, which by the way can be undertaken by the private sector,” said Avner.

He felt these types of activities required hand holding and required government support. They need to step up and provide more, especially in the rural areas so that reading can come back.

About his new book of Khasi poems, he said he coaxed himself to do it as many were forgetting to write in their own language.

“There may be mistakes and I sometimes do it on purpose as there is rigidity in the Khasi language which ultimately makes it boring in my opinion. I have written about the sweat and the grime and people doing dirty things and not about the waterfalls because that’s where we live now. We don’t live in 19th century utopia,” he said.

He said that he wanted to inspire others to write and think differently and that was his endeavour as a writer and poet.

Speaking about the response the fest has been receiving, Avner felt it was a good sign.

“People do want to read particularly their own local content and this is good. We have seen this on social media channels. A lot of young people get discouraged due to the fact that most of the old are writers and owners of the ‘palace of writing’. I just want to change that thought and inspire others to go out and do their thing in writing. They can always try and it does not need to be perfect,” he added.