Chairman of Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Theja Meru with members of Writers Collective Kohima, participants and attendees of the first series of “Open Book” at Badze Leshuki Kohima on July 26. (Photo Courtesy: Jabu Krocha)
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 26
With the aim to bring together both emerging and established writers, musicians, storytellers and entrepreneurs to share their work and explore stories from Nagaland in any form of art, Writers Collective Kohima today launched its first series of “Open Book” under the tagline, “exploring the wonders of Naga stories” at Badze Leshuki, Kohima. The event saw noted poet, author & novelist, Avinuo Kire in conversation with poet, educator & member of Writers Collective, T Keditsu.
Organised in collaboration with Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), the initiative is envisioned for people in various fields of art to walk together towards a journey of supporting and promoting each other.
Addressing a gathering of booklovers, aspiring writers, researchers and young entrepreneurs, Chairman of TaFMA stated happiness to be part of what he called “a wonderful new beginning and new chapter in Kohima and Nagaland history.” Acknowledging that he is not an avid reader, he however remarked that, “I love the company of avid readers” and added that he is also an avid learner.
Stating his firm belief that “readers are leaders”, he asserted that, “when you read, you are prepared for leadership.” He commended the Writers Collective for starting “this movement” of Nagaland Literature Festival and the newly launched initiative “Open Book” while expressing that, “your leadership means a lot and what you do will bear so many fruits in the days to come.”
Meru also spoke about the TaFMA concept of “Open House” which has branched out to all the 17 districts of Nagaland and in this regard, he also stated optimism that “Open Book” will soon have its sister Open Book Chapters in all the districts of Nagaland. He further added that it has the potential to grow into “something absolutely brilliant and big.” Stating that the dream has begun, he also said that TaFMA will ensure that it grow and impact lives of young people in Kohima and in the farthest corner of Nagaland.
President of Writers Collective Kohima, Vishü Rita Krocha remarked that stories have been around for as long as human beings have existed while exuding belief that, “all of us turn to stories to make sense of the world around us.”
In a world dominated by technology and social media, she said, one’s attention span is also very short, making it easier to forget the transformative power of books which essentially carry our stories.” However, she underscored that “every one of us are stories” while adding that, “we begin life with stories and even in the end, we will all become stories.”
Further asserting that “stories shape us—our thinking, our perspectives, the things that we do and the very way we live”, she also exuded hope that the first series of Open Book Conversation would enable listeners to experience the power of literature and its profound impact in people’s lives even while exploring “the magic of stories and the importance of nurturing a vibrant culture of literature and stories in our society.”
Highlights of the event included special number by Somirin Raikhan, a Class 10 student of Mt. Hermon Higher Secondary School, Kohima.
