Skip to content Skip to navigation

Call for Papers: Multi-Ethnic Poetry in English from North-East India: A Critical Spectrum

By editor |

The term ‘North-East’ is a form of geographical, linguistic and ethnic stereotyping that clubs together eight disparate states comprising of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim, that happen to lie in the Northeastern periphery of the Indian union. The body of works by English-language writers from this regionrefers to the North-East Indian Writings in English. Some of the most interesting Indian writing in English today is coming from this region. Intense political conflict and complex issues of identity along with some of the psychological and social perplexities of the present provide much fodder for storylines. And the subsoil of myth and folklore, coupled with scenic landscapes, make it a fertile ground for literary ferment.


Today, there is a profusion of literature from the North-East India. Of this resourceful group, the poets have always commanded a special attention and appeal owing to the ubiquity of the form and the profound intensity of the creative expression. The sense of place, history and society comes across through their poems beautifully and in very evocative language. Mostly, they hail from the multifarious ethnic groups. Obviously, ethnicity is a major concern in their poetry.


The proposed anthology is intended to focus on some of the latest perspectives of the region presented by noted North-East Indian poets such as Temsula Ao, Mamang Dai, Easterine Iralu, Tiamerenla Monalisa Changkija, Nini Vingurian Lungalang, Esther Syiem, Mona Zote, Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, Robin Singh Ngangom, Desmond L. Kharmawphlang, Anjum Hasan, Bhaskar Roy Barman, Arbind Kumar Choudhary, Rajendra Bhandari, Niranjan Chakma, Jogamaya Chakma, Nabanita Kanungo, Yumlam Tana, Mrs. Lakshahira Das, Dayananda Pathak, Umakanta Sarma, Bhupati Das, R. K. Madhubir, Ananya S. Guha, H. Ramdinthari, Rajendra Bhandari, Chandra Kanta Murasingh, Kalyan Brata Chakraborty, Nanda Kumar Debbarma, Swapan Sengupta, Shefali Debbarma, Niranjan Chakma Yogmaya Chakma, Ganghini Sorokkhaibam, Sudhanwa Tripura, etc. etc.


Interested scholars are requested to submit a 200-250 words abstract along with short bio through e-mail as MS Word attachment to Dr. Indu Swami at induswamionline@yahoo.com latest by July 31, 2011. The deadline for submission of full length unpublished quality papers (3000-7000 words) in the latest MLA style is August 31, 2011. The anthology will be published by a renowned International Publisher with ISBN in the month of December 2011.


Dr. (Mrs.) Indu Swami
PG Department of English,
Assam Central University:: Diphu Campus,
Diphu-782460, Karbi Anglog, Assam



  • 17009 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

50th Biennial conference of All Assam Sut Sanmilan concluded at Dhakuwakhana

The 50th Bienial conference and 100 years celebration of All Assam Sut Sanmilan concluded successfullyat Dhakuwakhana on January 23. The two days conference was held at Chandra Sekhar Dhanpur Khetra of Dhakuwakhana Model Higher Secondary School. In the final day the cultural procession was inaugurated by Dilip Bora, Director Assam Fire service. In the open session a souvenir “Sabdartha Bornona” was released by Jatin Bora, general secretary of the organisation. Dr. Luhit Hazarika, Dr. Keshav Hazarika, Dr. Mukul Boruah, Dadhi Barik, Deva Sut and Amiyo kumar Handique were present as special guests in the meeting.

Netaji birthday celebrated

The 116th Birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Basu was celebrated all over the State of Assam. In Guwahati the celebration committee has awarded folk-scholar Dr. Biren Dutta, econimist and poet Dr. Amolendu Guha and veteran dramatist Arun Sarma with Netaji Pride award. The colourful cultural procession was inaugurated by Gautom Roy, Public Health Minister of Assam. Robin Bordoloi, Mayor cum MLA presided the open session, in which Adhendu Kumar Dey, Minister of Assam, Dinesh Chandra Baishya, Principal of B. Barua College, Guwahati present as honourable guest and assertes speaker. Pranoti Phukon, Cultural Minister of Assam paid special homage to Netaji by hoisting the National flag at...

Historic surrender ceremony in Guwahati

Over 1800 militants from nine outfits bade farewell to arms before Union home minister P Chidambaram and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at a function in Guwahati on Tuesday. Gogoi and Chidambaram greeted them with rose buds for coming back to national mainstream. In his address, Chidambaram said that he would assure them of equal right and dignity. He said, “the Government has welcomed the militants back to the fold. Everyone is entitled to live with honour." Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Army GoCs of 3 and 4 Corps, and director general of police Jayant Narayan Chowdhury were also present. Chairmen and 'commanders', the militants surrendered 201 assorted arms and ammunition. The...

Defy militant diktat on R-day: JFA

Journalists Forum of Assam(JFA) has appealed to the people of North East India to defy militants diktat to boycott Republic Day celebrations. They urged the people to observe it in a befitting manner. JFA President Rupam Barua and Secretary Nava Thakuria said in a statement in Guwahati said,” we should celebrate Republic Day and also Independence Day to honour hundreds and thousand patriots and martyrs who faced immense trouble to make the country independent.'' Notably, around 12 outfits including the anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Asom, Coordination Committee (umbrella organisation of seven militant outfits of Manipur), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation,...

Poetry compilation released

A poetry collection of Jatindra Kumar Borgohainsi was released January 22, at Guwahati Press club by veteran poet Hirendra Nath Dutta. The book was released in a discussion, “Adhumik Yug aru Nari Seadhinota” organised by “Nari-yug” a organisation for upliftment of woman. The discussion was presided by Hori noted children litterateur, Hori Priya Barukial Borgohainsi.

Assamese youth commits suicide in B’lore

In yet another sensational case, a 27-year-youth from Assam committed suicide in Bangalore. His brother also has been charged with attempting to commit suicide in the same city on Sunday. Both they blamed failure to get a job ensured. Santanu Chetia Phukan committed suicide on Sunday a few days after he and his brother, Indosan arrived in the city in search of job on January 21. Santanu committed suicide by hanging while his brother attempted suicide by slashing his wrist. Indosan is critical and has been admitted to a hospital. Both they completed diploma in agriculture science e and were preparing to attend a interview on Tuesday. The police got the phone number of the duo...

Swadesh Roy to attend GPC program

Guwahati Press Club has organized an interaction program with a senior editor from Dhaka, Swadesh Roy tomorrow (January 24) at 3 pm. Mr Roy, who is associated with a leading Bengali daily Dainik Janakantha, published from the Bangladesh capital, has arrived in Assam today with personal assignments. With his responsibility as the executive editor of the highly circulated daily newspaper, Mr Roy contributes articles for various newspapers and portals based in different parts of the globe. Member-journalists, who are interested on various issues of Bangladesh and its media, may attend the program at press club premises.

Open Platform Shillong: Writers and Artistes deliberate towards ‘universal creative realization’

The North East Writers’ & Artists’ Conclave (NEWAC), a mobile forum travelling through north east India, opened its Shillong Chapter at the Seminar Hall, State Central Library on Fri, 20th Jan, 2012. The Shillong Chapter was coordinated by Eric Nongkynrih, Assoc. Prof. (English), St. Edmunds College and was attended by both students and academicians, as well as established writers and published poets. There was book and poetry reading as well as short talks on the area of ones’ artistic interest or research. Some of the prominent participants were former politician with artistic repertoire R G Lyngdoh, Pankaj Thapa of Sikkim Govt College, well-known Poet Esther Syiem,...

Mumbai Bhogali Bihu get-together on January 21

The Assam Association, Mumbai invites you to an Evening of Get Together on the occasion of "Magh Bihu", will be held on 21 January 2012 as per following details. Time: 7pm to 10pm Venue: Shetkari Samaj Hall, Sector 4A, Near Kopar Khairnae Railway Station,New Mumbai 400709 Progm Highlites: Intereactive Game and Entertainment Programme, Lottery and Bihu Bhuj (Food coupon of Rs.100/-will be available at the venue on first come first served basis.)

Adya-shradha of Bhimkanta Buragohain held at Charaidew

The Adya-Shradh of the political adviser of ULFA Bhimkanta Buragohain, popularly known as Mama, was organised at Charaidew, Sivasagar district. Mama died on December 19 at his home at Dhola, Tinsukia. The Vice-Chairman of ULFA Pradip Gogoi and social worker Lakhi Buragohain, garlanding and lighting lamp at the mausoleum of “Mama”, situated some distance away from the graveyard of Charaidew. Religious prayers held in presence of huge gathering of people and pro-talk ULFA cadres. A reminiscence meeting was also held in this occasion. Chairman Aravindra Rajkhowa of Pro-talk ULFA fraction has attended Mama’s Adya-Shradh at Sipajhar.