Shillong, Oct 17: Noted poet, writer and researcher Nirmal Koch of Tura has been honoured with Sahitya Award 2026 by Sahitya Charcha Kendra, Assam, for his lifelong contribution to literature and efforts to preserve Koch language, literature and cultural heritage.
The award was presented at the 9th annual literary festival, Sharatar Duporiya, held at Schemio Global School, Azara on Friday.
A prominent literary figure from Garo Hills, Koch has contributed significantly to study, documentation and preservation of Koch language, folklore, traditional practices and ethnographic heritage. His research on social organisation, origins, migration, birth and death rituals, folk songs, dances and festivals has been published in various journals and commemorative volumes.
His writings highlight the community’s close relationship with nature, shifting cultivation, tree-felling songs and indigenous festivals, besides documenting traditional food and beverages.
He has also edited numerous journals and magazines, and recently collaborated with foreign researchers to edit a Koch-English dictionary.
The citation acknowledged his dedication to promoting cultural understanding and literary harmony between Assam and Meghalaya.
