L-R: Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Asst Professor, Kohima College Kohima, Roselyn Miachieo, the author, Dr Adenuo Shirat Luikham, Asst Professor, Don Bosco College Kohima, Vishü Rita Krocha, Publisher & Francis P Kiewhuo, Catechist, SFS Parish, Kohima Town during the launch of “the morphing years” at the Common Room on June 3.
K Roselyn Miachieo channels grief, growth in ‘The Morphing Years’
Morung Express News
Kohima | June 3
Condensing her formative years in a poetry collection titled, “the morphing years”, K Roselyn Miachieo made her debut as an author on June 3-a day that also marks her 25th Birthday and PenThrill's 103rd publication. The book was formally released by Dr Adenuo Shirat Luikham, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Don Bosco College Kohima at The Common Room.
Speaking at the launch, K Roselyn Miachieo maintained that, “a lot of our growth and identity takes shape in dark and isolated spaces” while sharing about her thought processes through her writing journey that can be both lonely as well as comprise of brighter days.
She said that experiences of her formative years have been condensed into the collection comprising of the grief of losing her father and finding comfort in friendship; and also navigating life as a daughter of a single mom among others.
K Roselyn Miachieo hails from L.Khel, Kohima Village, and holds a Master’s Degree in Literature from Nagaland University. She also previously worked as a Copy Editor with Nagaland Tribune, a digital news agency and currently serves as a guest faculty at Don Bosco College Kohima.
Formally releasing the book, Dr Adenuo Shirat Luikham spoke about her close association with the author, who was also her student and remarked that she comes across as “a genuine, resilient, dependable, accepting person and mature beyond her years.”
Expressing that “the morphing years” is a poignant tribute to her father, she also stated excitement to see where the author goes in her journey as a poet. “May your voice never be silenced, may your pen always battles with a paper, and may you continue to share your poetry with the world”, she told her.
She also pointed out that, “the act of writing and then sending it out to the world is daunting because we give so much of ourselves to be judged and criticised.” However despite this anxiety that all writers experience, she maintained that “maybe just maybe our art is not ours after all” while quoting Ocean Vuong who said, “is that what art is? To be touched thinking what we feel is ours when, in the end it was someone else, in longing, who finds us?”
She further acknowledged PenThrill for playing an immense role in giving a platform to writers in Nagaland and in neighbouring states as well while adding that, “had it not been for PenThrill, I think many writers would have languished in obscurity.”
Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Asst Professor, Department of English, Kohima College Kohima who gave the remarks on the book and also wrote the foreword, said that while reading the author's work with a strict and critical eye, she was impressed with the maturity and honesty that shone through her works.
Dwelling on the title of the book, she highlighted that it was very apt as “morph” means “to change shape and form” and the book “really documents the ways she has come through her life experiences.”
Further impressing upon that in our society, the voices of young women, and honest and courageous voices are often discarded, she commended the author for having the courage to write so honestly and so courageously.
'We must stop the culture of giving books for free'
In her publisher's note, Vishü Rita Krocha spoke about how Nagas are known for their hospitality and generosity, which, she noted “is a very positive aspect of our culture.” However, she stated that sometimes we tend to overdo it, which can get excessive and become quite overwhelming.
She described books as “very precious resources” and asserted that, “we shouldn't part with it easily.” Citing instances where books are distributed for free to all the VIPs on stage during programmes, she maintained that, “books are not free commodities to be distributed just like that.”
Impressing upon the need to give value to books, she said, “we must stop the culture of giving books for free” as it also devalues the worth of a book.
Highlights of the event included invocation by Francis P Kiewhuo, Catechist, SFS Parish, Kohima Town, special number by Brooke, a reading from 'the morphing years' by Medozelue Pienyü while Pongsu chaired the programme.
