Noted Naga Writer Easterine Kire during the official release of her book, ‘Son of the Thundercloud’ at the 2nd edition of the Bookworm Fest in Kohima on November 29, 2016. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 24
Noted Naga writer, poet and columnist, Easterine Kire added another feather to her illustrious repertoire, when her latest novella ‘Son of the Thundercloud’ was selected as one of the recipients of ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar’ instituted by India's National Academy of Letters, the Sahitya Akademi, on June 22.
She was among the 23 writers approved by the Akademi’s Executive Board during their meeting at Guwahati on June 22. Easterine has been selected in the English category.
The books were selected on the basis of recommendations made by jury comprising of three members each in concerned language and in accordance with the rules and procedure laid down for the purpose, the Akademi informed in an official release.
“While award are given books published during the five years immediately preceding the year of the Award (i.e. Jan 1, 2012 –Dec 31, 2016) the initials ten years of the Award (2010-19) may also be given to author based on his/her contribution to Children Literature,” it added.
‘Son of the Thundercloud’ was officially released on November 29, 2016 during the 2nd edition Bookworm Fest held in Kohima.
During the launch, Kire, who among others, is also a recipient of The Hindu Prize, 2015 for her novel ‘When the River Sleeps’, noted that ‘Son of the Thundercloud’ is an allegory and the purpose of an “allegory is to let the reader find out for themselves.”
The book is the story of a boy with a sweet spirit, she added. The allegorical 149 paged book provided the reader a trajectory to the world of Naga myths and legends through the lives of Pelevotso, Mesanuo and the miracle child, Rhalietuo.
Transporting the reader beyond the Naga world, the writer leaves each reader to find for themselves the deeper beyond through the ‘Son of the Thundercloud.’
A reviewer noted the novel marks Kire’s “evolution as a story-teller who is unafraid to recreate myths drawing from sources other than Naga, while giving it local colour.
“She has added a new literary dimension to her repertoire and Naga literature in English stands to gain much by it,” it added.
Kire will be conferred the Bal Puraskar at a function on November 14, which is celebrated as Children's Day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The award comprises a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cheque of Rs 50,000. The date for conferring the 21 Yuva Puraskar awards, also announced on the same day, has not been declared yet.
The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
Apart from setting to set high literary standards, it also aims “to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote through them all the cultural unity of the country.”
