Mamang Dai, a renowned poet, will be the Poet Laureate of the 14th Tata Literature Live! Mumbai LitFest. Mamang Dai is one of India’s most evocative contemporary writers in English. Hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, the rhythm of her verse reflects the rhythms of the oral tradition of her Adi tribe, and of the natural landscape to which she is so attached.
Her poetic voice, as expressed in the collections River Poems, The Balm of Time, Midsummer Survival Lyrics, and the folk tale Hambreelmai’s Loom, is gentle, melodious and poignant. Her poetry, despite its nostalgic nature and political realities, is filled with hope and love, despite the challenges of the times.
Mamang Dai’s poetry, encompassing all aspects of life in the Northeast, is accessible and lighthearted, highlighting the beauty of the region’s natural and cultural milieu. It challenges the image of conflict and militancy often associated with the region. Accepting the Poet Laureateship for Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest 2023, Mamang Dai said: “I think it is wonderful that Tata Literature Live! Mumbai literature festival celebrates poetry. I feel honoured, and inspired”.
