Shehnab Sahin at The Write Circle, hosted by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation at Zone Niathu by The Park on February 24.
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 25
‘Colour My Grave Purple’ - a new work of historical fiction by Shehnab Sahin is offering readers a unique lens into the social and cultural transformations of Northeast India.
Bringing her work to Nagaland for the first time, the author shared her personal expressions and experiences with readers through The Write Circle, held on February 24 at Zone Niathu by The Park.
The latest edition of The Write Circle, hosted by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, featured a conversation between Sahin and Akangjungla, Editor of The Morung Express.
The evening brought together literature enthusiasts for an insightful dialogue that explored themes of writing, humanitarian work and social impact - the central themes in Sahin’s debut book, ‘Colour My Grave Purple.’
Sahin, known for her contributions to both literature and humanitarian causes, engaged in a wide-ranging discussion.
The debut collection from the writer presents a century-spanning narrative of Assam, weaving together the region’s complex history with elements of the natural and supernatural.
The collection opens in 1858 amidst Assam’s burgeoning tea plantations, a period following the Opium Wars when the commercialisation of tea began to reshape local communities and landscapes.
From there, the stories traverse decades of change, exploring the region’s intersections with global forces and its own internal evolution.
Sahin’s narratives introduce readers to a diverse tapestry of characters and scenarios, ranging from encounters with occult practices and wayward elephants to figures such as a British-Naga queen and members of the Chinese Red Army.
The stories deliberately blur the lines between the natural and the supernatural, using these intersections to examine Assam’s interactions with Britain, Japan and China. Underpinning these tales is a broader exploration of the state’s struggle with its own identity amid shifting socio-political paradigms.
The book was officially unveiled at a launch event held on December 26, 2025, at the Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre in Pan Bazaar, Guwahati.
Earlier, the event commenced with welcome address by Viketuno Rio, Ehsaas Woman of Dimapur and concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Abokali Jimomi, also an Ehsaas Woman of Dimapur. The session was held with the support of Oil India Limited and in collaboration with hospitality partner, Zone Niathu by The Park.
