‘Luna. Bisous. Poesy’ by Adenuo Shirat Luikham launched

Nini Lungalang with Adenuo Shirat Luikham during the launching of the book ‘Luna. Bisous. Poesy’ held in Kohima on August 9. (Morung Photo) 

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 9

A book entitled ‘Luna. Bisous. Poesy’ by Adenuo Shirat Luikham was launched in Kohima on August 9.
This is the 23rd publication of PenThrill Publication House, Kohima.

“Luna. Bisous. Poesy” is a very impressive collection,” maintained Nini Lungalang, vice principal Northfield Higher Secondary School Kohima while launching the book at Don Bosco College Kohima this afternoon.

“I find Adenuo’s attitude towards feminism very fresh and most original. She is so honest and the poetry speaks to us right to the hearts. There is warmth, true feelings and reflects her personality. She has grown strong by defeating her self-doubt. She also talks about betrayal in the poem titled ‘The boy’ and she has learnt compassion, which is an essential part of us being women. Adenuo has accepted and embraced her feminism and it’s lovely,” said Lungalang.

Her feminism is unapologetically and unembarrassed  and we are so proud of that, Lungalang said adding “I think it is a very moving book. What emerges eventually after reading the book is a lovely mind that is infused with creativity. She finds ‘beautiful’ even in the ordinary.”

Commenting on the book, poet and author Dr. Avinuo Kire said that Adenuo Shirat Luikham’s debut collection of poems unfolds like a slow languorous dream- gently but determinedly culminating in a bold new awakening. 

She said the collection poignantly begins with ‘Resignation’, a wistful and somewhat bittersweet reflection on growing up. 
Luikham displays a remarkable ability to infuse grace while tackling difficult topics such as abuse and the internalization of trauma, she said adding that despite (or because of) brokenness and its reverberating scars, the poet is able to unearth an extraordinary reserve of inner strength which ultimately results in a glorious discovery of the true self. 

Luna. Bisous. Poesy. candidly explores the eternal human quest for truth, happiness and identity whilst delving into a wide range of emotions and problematic themes, Dr. Kire said adding that the poet draws richly from her own experiences and she does so with a voice which is sensitive and yet, unapologetically bold. 

The poems leave the reader moved and discomfited all at once. This after all, is what good literature does, Dr. Kire said.
“In our journey of publishing in the last five years, I have observed that many young people have taken up poetry as a means for self-expression and especially with the increasing use of social media like instagram, today there are more emerging poets than ever,” said PenThrill Publication House publisher Vishü Rita Krocha.

Regretting that despite the fact that poetry is considered to have a very poor market, she said “ However, I think, for poets, money is never the end goal. Poetry is important because it amplifies real voices- voices that are deeply felt, and often carries a message that can possibly change a person’s life and gradually, the world at large.”

She felt that poetry, are ‘powerful human voices’ “because there is always so much truth in it, regardless of what the poet is writing about- be it life, nature, love, culture, social issues or anything else that the poet is trying to convey through his/her poems.”

For PenThrill, it has been very enriching to associate ourselves with many young poets who have taken upon it themselves to be the voice of our people in expressing issues close to their hearts, Krocha  said adding that the making of Adenuo’s book has been one of the most fulfilling experiences, in every sense.

She congratulated Adenuo for her a remarkable work.

The author Adenuo Shirat Luikham read out three poems from the book titled "The Walk", "I rode a bike today" and "The rain in Kohima"

She said Luna. Bisous. Poesy. is a collection of poems that draws much of its inspiration from the moon. Literally, it means ‘moon kisses poetry.’ Luna in Roman mythology represents the goddess of the moon. Bisou means a friendly or warm kiss in French. 

“Since many of my poems are inspired by the night sky, I thought this would be an apt title for my maiden venture,” she said. 

The consequence of scribbling and confessing on chits, diaries and journals for more than twenty years resulted in the birth of this collection, said the author. 

Adenuo Shirat Luikham is a budding poet and educator from Kohima. She has a PhD in English Literature from EFL University, Hyderabad, and has research interests in the fiction of women writers from the North-East of India. 
She is intrigued by ancient cultures and their myths, has a fascination for astronomy, and is a dabbler in illustrating and painting in her leisure time. She is presently working as Assistant Professor, Department of English, Don Bosco College, Kohima.

Dr. Imtinaro Longkumer, Asstt. Professor Department of Education, Don Bosco College, Kohima chaired the function. Ayim Longchar enthralled the gathering with a special number. 

The function concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Rükulü Kezo Puro, founder & chief instructor CUE Academy Kohima.