Moderator Vishü Rita Krocha with authors Avinuo Kire, Daribha Lyndem and Mamang Dai during the panel discussion on Nature as Narrative: Landscapes, Cities, and Time in Literature at the White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair, Chümoukedima on February 19. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 19
A panel discussion titled Nature as Narrative: Landscapes, Cities, and Time in Literature was held at the White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair at Zone Niathu by the Park, Chümoukedima on February 19. The event moderated by poet, journalist and publisher, Vishü Rita Krocha, featured three notable authors- Avinuo Kire, Daribha Lyndem and Mamang Dai-who shared their insights on how nature, landscapes, and time influence their storytelling.
In her introduction, Rita Krocha spoke about her personal connection with nature, highlighting its central role in literature, especially for those of us from the North-East. “As somebody who loves poetry and also attempts to write poetry, I have always been drawn to nature for inspiration. Nature has always been at the heart of our stories, whether they are oral traditions or written words," she said.
She highlighted how the rich natural beauty of the North-East, which includes states like Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, provides a constant backdrop for many regional writers, deeply influencing their narratives.
The authors on the panel discussed how they use nature and the surrounding landscape to give context to their stories and explore the relationship between people and the land. Mamang Dai, whose works often draw inspiration from the natural world, reflected on how nature has been central to her writing. “When people ask me about the source of my inspiration, I always say it’s the land. The silhouette of mountains, a rainy evening-those moments connect you to nature in a deeply profound way,” she shared.
Mamang also touched on her non-fiction book Arunachal Pradesh - The Hidden Land, which features the unique elements of her home state. She explained that after returning from abroad, she felt as though she had discovered an entirely different world. “It began as a series of notes…For young writers, I suggest always keeping a little notebook, even if you don’t have anything to write about on a particular day. Jot down your thoughts as they come,” she advised.
Daribha Lyndem and Avinuo Kire also spoke about how the landscapes of the North-East influenced their writing. Avinuo Kire, whose stories are often set in the Nagaland, emphasized the connection between nature and storytelling. “Being from a region so rich in flora and fauna, nature naturally forms the backdrop for many of my stories. In some stories, nature even becomes a key character,” she said.
During the Q & A session, a participant raised a question about the sense of responsibility writers might feel when representing their home regions-whether writers feel the need to portray their places in the most appropriate way, especially given that many parts of the North-East are lesser-known.
Daribha, while acknowledging the complexity of representing a particular region, noted the challenge of being typecast to represent an entire demographic. "It’s a double-edged sword when you are expected to represent an entire group of people. I remember being asked why I didn’t write about the insurgency or the violence in my region. ‘That one story is not all our stories. If someone wants to write about that, they can, but I want to write about something else. It’s unfair to box writers in and limit their creativity,” Daribha said.
Avinuo Kire dwelt on the importance of honest writing. "Creative writing has to come from a very honest place. You write about what inspires you, not what others expect you to write about. Writing with a sense of responsibility can sometimes feel burdensome, but it’s essential to stay true to your own voice,” she said.
Another participant asked how writers are addressing the current disconnect between traditional views of nature and the destructive realities of modern life. "In many rural areas, people no longer live according to the traditions of respecting nature, and this has led to environmental degradation. Are writers addressing this brutality toward nature?" the participant asked.
Mamang Dai said this issue is indeed being explored in contemporary literature. “Many writers today are addressing this shift. In fiction, you see protagonists reflecting on how everything is changing, how the green mountains might still be there, but they will also see new, destructive developments. We have to be careful and respect nature. It’s about maintaining a state of mutual regard. What’s missing now is that balance of respect. People no longer see themselves as one with nature. We dominate it instead, cutting down trees for high-rise buildings," she explained.
Daribha also reflected on the danger of romanticizing nature in writing, especially when it no longer exists in the same way. “When I write about nature, I often do so nostalgically- describing a nature that isn’t present anymore. There’s a risk for North -East writers to exoticize nature, to write about it in ways that no longer reflect the reality of the environment we live in,” she said.
About the authors
Daribha Lyndem is a writer and civil servant from Shillong. Name Place Animal Thing is her debut novel. She currently works with the Indian Revenue Service and a Deputy Commissioner of Customs.
Mamang Dai is an author, journalist, and poet from Arunachal Pradesh, known for her deep connection to the natural world and indigenous cultures. She is a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award in 2017. Dai's works include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, with notable books such as The Legends of Pensam, The Black Hill and Arunachal Pradesh - The Hidden Land.
Avinuo Kiew is a writer and teacher from Kohima. Her works include The Power to Forgive and Other Stories, The Last Light of Glory Days and Other Stories, Where Wildflowers Grow among others.
