Dr. Kuladhar Saikia is a distinguished short story writer and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient (2015) with a diverse body of work that includes 25 short story collections, 5 plays, a novel, and a book of essays. His novel has been published in Hindi by Penguin, and his English short stories are featured in the collection “If a River.” Some of his works have been published by Sahitya Akademi and the National Book Trust, with his poems appearing in various journals. Saikia’s stories have been translated into English and other Indian regional languages. He won the prestigious Katha Award in 2000 and has been a panelist at international literary festivals, including the London Book Fair.
In addition to his literary accomplishments, Saikia has scripted two telefilms and his plays have been staged at various festivals. His stories have been adapted for television and stage.
An IIT PhD and Fulbright Fellow at Penn State, Saikia retired as Director General of Police in Assam. He has served as President of Asam Sahitya Sabha, worked as a consultant at the World Bank, and taught Economics at Delhi University. His career includes roles in the Indian Economic Service, Indian Railway Traffic Service, and Indian Police Service. Saikia has been a guest speaker at leading institutions and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Delhi School of Public Policy and Governance, as well as an adjunct professor at National Law University, Guwahati. He is noted for his post-modernist storytelling style, blending reality and fantasy to create compelling narratives.