Dimapur, March 20 (MExN): An illustrated book of international proverbs, titled “Birds, Beasts, and Blooms,” compiled and illustrated by Dr Senganglu Thaimei was launched in an online event hosted by Barkweaver Publications on March 15.
A press release received here stated that Senganglu Thaimei is a visual artist and a paremiologist or proverb scholar. All the illustrations in the book were created during her Fulbright year in Vermont, USA, while doing her post-doctoral research on proverbs. She holds a PhD in the oral tradition of the Rongmei, an indigenous community in India.
During the book launch event, Wolfgang Mieder, Professor Emeritus of Folklore and German, University of Vermont, USA in his speech talked about the long history of the relationship between art and proverbs. Tracing from the 16th century proverb-inspired artworks to modern art forms translated from well-known adages, he stated that proverbial metaphors are verbal images.
He mentioned that Dr Thaimei’s work is an important contribution to both proverb studies and art history. He added that the book, with a collection from different cultures and civilizations, is a welcome addition as it brings out the universal humanity in a time when the world is getting increasingly divided.
The author and illustrator, Dr Thaimei, maintained that there are several aspects to engage with proverbs, but two are foundational in proverb studies - paremiology, which involves defining proverbs, proverb features, origin, collection, etc., and paremiography, a sub-field of paremiology that involves the collection and writing of proverbs. She said the book belongs to the arena of international paremiography.
The book was released by Dr Veio Pou, author of the novel “Waiting for the Dust to Settle” (2020), in the presence of Easterine Kire, author and poet.
“Birds, Beasts, and Blooms” is available in the Common Room, White Owl, and on Barkweaver Instagram handle or reach out to the author to get a copy.
