Participants during the young writers’ interactive roundtable session with authors Dr Easterine Kire and Dr Avinuo Kire under the theme ‘We are our stories’ held on November 30. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 30
In his conversation with authors, writers and judges as part of the two-day Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature (GGPNL) 2021 Book Exhibition and Sale, Dr Aküm Longchari, Publisher, The Morung Express called for the “need to encourage Naga writers to have the audacity to create a historical opportunity that is located deep in the heart of events, moments, the intersection of ideas and among the interplay of contradictions by expressing and determining our human worth by telling our stories for our own purposes.”
This, he said, was needed to bring forth a new language that will enable and empower us to cross social and cultural boundaries. In doing so, he pointed out that “Naga writing and literature stimulates and persuades the new to be born.”
Given our historical experiences and relation with the printed word, he also highlighted that the increasing number of published books in the state is relatively encouraging as an indicator of the growth of Naga literature with the community’s support, solidarity and inspiration.
While oral storytelling has been one of the carriers of our values, worldviews, traditions, in the contemporary context, he said, “Naga writers and artists are incrementally carrying forward this tradition by evolving as modern-day storytellers to create new stories that reflect the current realities while continuing to build on the past.” In this regard, he also asserted that these new stories are essential for Nagas to harness and uplift the capacity and imagination to create anew.
While building the past, without romanticizing it, he put across that, “as modern-day storytellers, the Naga writers are helping us to cultivate new thinking, new ideas, new behaviours, new attitudes, new consciousness and new visions.” If not, he said that “we risk clinging to redundant policies, chosen traumas, and chosen glories, and old models and methods of conducting affairs in all realms of life which may be both harmful and no longer be relevant.”
A “Young writers’ interactive roundtable session” was also held with authors Dr Easterine Kire and Dr Avinuo Kire under the theme “We are our stories.”
