Dr Susma Sharma Gurumayum
Kohima, August 22 (MExN): Joining the list of PenThrill authors, Dr Susma Sharma Gurumayum, a poet and Gold Medallist from Imphal, on Sunday became the second author from Manipur to be published by PenThrill Publication House. Her book titled ‘In Finite Days to Come’ was formally released by Pooja Elangbam, IAS, Founder of Book Club Imphal & Editor, Heeden Da Chumthang in a Google Meet held on Sunday afternoon.
Launching the book, Pooja Elangbam said that “poetry allows us that space to reflect and think, and just take time away from this crazy race for success.” She said the newly released book reflected the journey in the poet’s own life including the cruelties of life as well as the joys.
She further said the poet has looked beyond herself, and was able to see the exploitation of nature and also acutely shown class disparity. “I think it’s wonderful to read that in a very humane voice. It’s really beautiful that she has come up with this book, it has something or the other for everyone,” she commented.
In the book, Dr Susma Sharma Gurumayum recalled are poems she has written in the past decade, some of which have been published in journals, magazines and anthologies, in print and online mediums, nationally and internationally. The introduction to the book highlights that “the first part of this collection titled, ‘In Finite Days to Come’ deals with day-to-day life and feelings. The second titled, ‘This Ending Never Stops’ are over matters of the heart,” she added.
“As I am writing this, the second wave of the dreaded COVID-19 is ravaging the country. Reading and writing poems have been a solace for me in these dark times. I hope readers will relate with and just may be get inspiration from these words which have found expression through me”, she also added in the introduction of the book.
Dr Gurumayum has a PhD in History and previously worked as a Sub-Deputy Collector under the Government of Manipur from June 2017 to October 2019. She is currently serving as Assistant Professor in History under the Government of Manipur, presently posted at Tamenglong College in the beautiful district of Tamenglong. A lover of literature, words and creative expressions, she believes that poetry and fiction have more truth to them than non-fiction.
Publisher, PenThrill Publication House, Vishü Rita Krocha, who maintained that poetry is the purest form of expression, stated that “poetry should have a central place in all of our lives”. She said that ‘In Finite Days to Come’ is one of the finest collections that PenThrill has published so far and added that it took her through a gamut of feelings. The poems, she said, were written with admirable brevity and commended her ability to convey so much about life and society in such a limited space.
Despite the pandemic, she further highlighted that this year has been an exciting year of publishing books not only from Nagaland but also from other states of North East. PenThrill’s first association with an author from Manipur was in the year 2017 while ‘In Finite Days to Come’ is the second and the 41st publication of PenThrill. The next book in the pipeline is a collection of folktales from Arunachal Pradesh.
The event was also marked by poetry readings by the author, publisher, Pooja Elangbam, IAS and Juliana Phaomei, Writer, Singer-Songwriter & PhD Scholar, who was the host of the book launch. The 184-paged book will be available at www.ilandlo.com, CROSSWORD Kohima, The Common Room Kohima, Bible House Kohima, Fusion Store Dimapur and Ukiyo Bookstore, Imphal.
