"Most mainstream literature festivals do not include writers from the Northeast. When I spoke to writers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, they too felt that we should include languages from the Northeast in the festival," reveals Mohan Kakanandan, festival director of Gateway LitFest, now in its second edition in the city. There's plenty to look forward to at the fest — from women writers in regional languages, to translations, and forgotten dialects. A session on Northeast literature is also a part of the itinerary, where panellists will discuss whether writers from this region are being pampered or marginalised. Chaired by Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Subodh Sarkar, the panel will include Assamese poet Pranay Phukan, Khasi-English bilingual writer Desmond Parmawphlang, Manipuri poet Ibomcha Singh and Bengali poet Binayak Bandyopadhyaya. "One and a half hour is less to discuss this topic but we hope to make some difference," admits Kakanandan.

Also read: Bengali poet Subodh Sarkar, Malayam poet Kureepuzha Sreekumar, Marathi author Shanta Gokhale and others spoke at the Gateway LitFest last year