The second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 was held in Gangtok from 28 to 30 October. According to Outlook India, the three-day event celebrated literature, the arts, nature and the cultural traditions of Sikkim and the wider Himalayan region. It took place at the city's Ridge Park.
Key points
- The festival ran from 28 to 30 October 2026 at Ridge Park, Gangtok.
- It was presented by the Students' Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and produced by Teamwork Arts.
- Historian William Dalrymple opened the sessions, and bands Indian Ocean and Aagaaz performed.
- Unexpected rain on the second day did not take away the festival's warm and intimate feel.
Opening day
The festival began with a musical programme by students of Eklavya Model Residential School, Gangyap. They sang a medley of classic English, Hindi and Nepali songs. This was followed by Ekai Maato Anek Rang, a Broadway-style musical presented by the state's Department of Culture. The show highlighted the traditions and heritage of the Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali communities, who have lived side by side for centuries.
The first literary session was titled "A Life in History". Author William Dalrymple spoke with Gangtok-based poet and writer Tashi Chophel about how historical narratives shape our view of the world. "If you don't know history, you're like a traveller without a map," Dalrymple said.
Folk-fusion band Indian Ocean then spoke about its 37-year musical journey and shared stories behind some of its best-known songs. The evening ended with Delhi-based band Aagaaz, which paid tribute to ghazal singers Mehdi Hassan, Begum Akhtar and Noor Jehan.
Rain on the second day
On the second morning, Gangtok saw unexpected showers brought by Cyclone Arnab. Audiences still arrived with umbrellas to watch Kartikeya and Makrand, who combined the sounds of the flute and percussion. The duo said the show was very interactive, as they explained various instruments and their sounds to students.
The rest of the day included discussions on topics ranging from biodiversity and climate change to folklore and contemporary literature. Author Satyajit Sarna also spoke about his novel Redtooth.
Why the festival matters
Organisers said the festival is meant to give local voices a platform. "The festival aims to provide a much-needed platform for local voices, writers, musicians and artistes, fostering cross-cultural dialogue within India and with the wider world," said Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts.
Aditya Golay, Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly from Soreng-Chakung, said the aim was to nurture a reading culture and inspire young people to explore creative pursuits. He added that the festival should create chances for the stories and voices of Sikkim to reach wider audiences.
Outlook India noted that, despite the unpredictable weather, the festival kept its warm, intimate charm.
