Cover Art@Senolu
Dimapur, January 31: Orchid of the Dark Forest, a fictional folklore written by Inovi Awomi, was today release by Bokali Haralu, chaplin of Christian Hr Sec School, Dimapur at Hotel Saramati here. The novel set in 1960’s at Hoishe Village, is a tragic love story about Semato and Nagaholi, who belong to two opposing Xi and Xu clans. This is the second novel of the author.
According to the publisher of the novel, Dr. Lanusangla Tzudir, the special thing about the novel is its background, “which is very familiar to all of us, but many times which we ignore to get into details.” The character Semato and Nagaholi, she said, conveyed many of the cultural elements that are ignored in many other books. “It educated me in certain ways,” she acknowledged while stating that the novel enlightened her on how Sumis celebrate Ahuna and what attires men and women wear. “Knowledge about culture is transmitted in many ways and this (novel) is one medium,” she added.
Meanwhile, the editor of the novel, Renbeni Kithan articulated that folklore is a part of “our” culture. Naga culture, she said, is not just about “mekhala”, ethnic food, attires etc. Expressing concern that Naga folklores are fast vanishing, she believed the novel will be an inspiration to the general Nagas, the intellectuals, and especially the younger generation “who are fast forgetting their roots.” Further, commenting that Nagaland has very few writers because “we” don’t read them, she said, “If people start reading them, I think Nagas will also have quite a lot of writers.”
In the words of the publisher and editor, the author is persistent, innovative and versatile.
Further, the author, during the event divulged he is trying to revive folklores through fiction. Fiction is also a medium to escape people’s questioning, he said in jest. In his novel, the wild orchid plays a very vital role. The novel also portrays the period of Nagaland statehood and atrocities of Indian armies, he added.
Orchid of the Dark Forest, published by Heritage Publishing House, has 84 pages and is priced at Rs 180/. The first novel of Inovi Awomi, an Economics teacher at Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, is called Life goes on.
