Commitment to Preserve New Thoughts and New Ideas 10th North Eastern Little Magazine Conference Begins in Agartala
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, December 27, 2025
Agartala witnessed a vibrant confluence of independent literary voices as the 10th North Eastern Little Magazine Conference began on Friday evening at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan premises. In the gentle chill of a winter evening, editors and publishers from across the North East sat behind neatly arranged tables of little magazines, reaffirming their collective resolve to nurture new thoughts and alternative ideas outside the mainstream.
The journey of the North Eastern Little Magazine Conference began in 2005 in Shillong. After completing nearly two decades of continuous engagement with grassroots literature, the conference has returned to Agartala for the second time, marking its 10th edition. The four-day conference brings together little magazine publishers and editors from eight states, including Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur. Publications in multiple languages, Bengali, Kokborok, Manipuri, Chakma, Mog, and others are participating, reflecting the region’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity.
At the outset, participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswabandhu Sen, paying tribute to his contribution to public life.
The conference was formally inaugurated by lighting the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest Subhashis Talapatra, along with Usharanjan Bhattacharya, editor and writer Nandakumar Debbarma, and conference president Samiran Ray.
The conference souvenir was formally released by the guests. Felicitations were accorded to Nilip Poddar and Ratul Debbarma, as well as renowned cover artist Aparesh Pal, in recognition of their contributions to little magazine culture.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Usharanjan Bhattacharya reflected on the 20-year journey of the conference and his own long association with the little magazine movement. He expressed hope that the struggle to sustain independent literary platforms would continue with renewed strength in the years ahead. Professor Tapodhir Bhattacharya reminded participants that future generations are closely observing their work, urging those who will carry this flag forward to retain youthful courage and creative restlessness in their hearts.
In his address, Subhashis Talapatra underlined the unique role of little magazines, describing them as spaces meant for writings that cannot find a place in institutional or mainstream journals. Little magazines, he said, are meant for works that question, provoke thought, and demand reasoned engagement, writings that seek to explain, argue, and challenge rather than merely conform.
The opening day set a reflective yet energised tone, reaffirming the relevance of little magazines as vital platforms for dissenting voices, experimental literature, and the preservation of intellectual freedom in the North Eastern region.
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