ISBN: 978-93-94174-56-6

Literary Representations of Culture and Identity in Northeast India: Foundations for Cultural and Creative Entrepreneurship

Assistant Professor, Department of Persian, A.L. Choudhury College, Algapur, Hailakandi. India

Literature in North East India serves as a profound reflection of the region’s cultural diversity, ecological richness, historical experiences, and collective identity. Deeply rooted in everyday life, the literary traditions of the region encompass oral narratives, folklore, myths, songs, written texts, and contemporary creative expressions that preserve indigenous knowledge systems and community memory. This chapter explores the interconnected relationship between literature, cultural identity, and creative entrepreneurship in North East India. It highlights how narratives emerging from the region’s hills, rivers, forests, and socio-cultural practices function not merely as artistic expressions but also as repositories of ecological wisdom, social values, and historical consciousness. The discussion examines the significance of oral traditions in sustaining cultural continuity and the role of written literature in documenting social transformation, resistance, migration, and marginalization. The chapter further emphasizes the growing importance of cultural entrepreneurship in transforming literary and cultural resources into sustainable economic opportunities through publishing, digital storytelling, filmmaking, crafts, heritage tourism, and multimedia platforms. Particular attention is given to ethical responsibilities in cultural commercialization, including community participation, cultural sensitivity, fair representation, and equitable benefit-sharing. The role of digital technologies in expanding the reach of Northeast Indian literature and enabling cross-cultural engagement is also critically discussed. By conceptualizing a “narrative economy,” the chapter argues that literary traditions can become powerful instruments for cultural preservation, economic development, and social empowerment. Overall, the study demonstrates that culturally grounded creative enterprises can strengthen local identities, promote sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to inclusive development while preserving the rich literary heritage of North East India.

*Corresponding author; e-mail: kamaluddinmazarbhuiya1082@gmail.com

Cite this Chapter: Kamal Uddin Mazarbhuiya. 2026. Literary Representations of Culture and Identity in Northeast India: Foundations for Cultural and Creative Entrepreneurship. In: Dr. Shamim Ahmed Shamim Khan Barbhuiya. Dr. Saurabh Sarma. Dr. Kowser Alam Laskar. Dr. Atiqur Rahman Laskar. Dr. Gulenoor Islam Barbhuiya (Eds.), ANUSANDHAN-A Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Research Repository. Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 212-216. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-56-6_23