This year’s thematic lens will explore: Stories of States: Bihar and the North-East

1. 1. The storytelling traditions, folk narratives, poetry, and contemporary literature from Bihar and North Eastern states (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim).
   2. Literary icons from these regions alongside emerging writers, poets, lyricists, and performers.
   3. Cultural intersections through cuisine, craft, music, and oral traditions from both regions.