When we think of Bihar and the North-east, our mind often goes to the prejudices about them, but this has never been the same. For several centuries, the Magadh Kingdom (modern-day Bihar) was ruled by several dynasties such as the Haryanka, Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, and Gupta dynasties. Even modern-day Bihar got its name from Vihara because it was the land of hundreds of Buddhist Viharas. It was one of the richest and most powerful kingdoms of ancient India, and because of this, it was also a centre of knowledge and culture in India. Nalanda University, Vikramshila University, Odantpuri University, and many small and large Buddhist and Jain monasteries enriched the world with their knowledge and values, which are still studied across the world. But with the destruction of these centres of knowledge and culture, the decline of India’s civilizational knowledge, linguistic diversity, and culture also began and the rest is history we all know.

As it is said, history repeats itself, but this time it is to undo the mistakes of the past and reclaim the heritage of that era. The revival of Ancient Nalanda University began with a vision proposed by former President and Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2006, and the new Nalanda University was formally established in 2010 as an international research and teaching institution aiming to recapture the spirit of the ancient centre. The new campus of the University was inaugurated in 2024 to showcase glimpses of the ancient architectural style.

The establishment of the new Nalanda University has given vision and hope for India to emerge as a global centre of knowledge and culture, and to show the world the path of peace and prosperity. Similarly, the inaugural edition of the Nalanda Literature Festival is going to be a groundbreaking moment in the history of Bihar. This will showcase the cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as the folk literature of both Bihar and the North-east. Interestingly, these two regions together represent one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse areas in the world, but, unfortunately, they have never received proper recognition or exposure to showcase their significance.

Languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Vajjika of Bihar, along with important languages of the North-east such as Assamese, Bodo, Manipuri, Mizo, Khasi and Garo, Kokborok, and various other indigenous Tibeto-Burman languages their folklore and stories need recognition and preservation because these languages represent the unique cultural identity and linguistic heritage of different regions of Bihar and the North-east. They carry rich oral traditions, folklore, literature, and historic significance. The purpose of the Nalanda Literature Festival is to ensure that these voices continue to thrive, enriching India’s collective heritage while inspiring future generations to value their roots.

Regards-
Creative Writers Team of Nalanda Literature Festival