Aqui Thami with Sochumlo Suki Ezung at Ete Kohima on March 18. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 18
It is not often that readers get access to books right at their doorstep especially not in Nagaland where the culture of reading is yet to flourish. But the students of Kohima College, particularly those in the English Department were in for a treat when Aqui Thami from Darjeeling, who lives in Mumbai came all the way to Nagaland to showcase “Sister Library”, a travelling library of over one hundred books focusing solely on women’s writing.
In the collection of books are works of literature by women from different parts of the world including graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, poetry and handmade local zines. Most of these are from her own sprawling collection of books. Thami started reading women literature exclusively some 7-8 years ago. It was also then, she started conceptualising a space—a library that celebrates the works of women cutting across genres and regions, also ensuring that it is an engaging space for people from all walks of life.
Sister Library started functioning as a travelling library in 2018 and also got a permanent space in Mumbai in the following year in 2019. It has since, been travelling across several cities in India and abroad. More recently, in the Northeast, she has taken her travelling library to Guwahati, Shillong, Gangtok, Itanagar and Kohima. Sister Library made its presence at Kohima College from March 15-17, 2022 while it was set up in a more informal setting at Ete Coffee, Billy Graham Road on Friday, March 18.
Over the years, there has been thousands and thousands of people across the globe who have walked into the Sister Library Space, discovering works of women from different parts of the world. The travelling library has now accumulated works of literature by women from Nagaland which also means that these books will have a wider audience.
A contemporary indigenous artist herself, Aqui Thami has always been interested in reading and collecting books. With her latest rendezvous with Northeast and Nagaland, she hopes to have a closer, intimate interpretation of stories from the region.
Speaking of her experience over the years, she says, “it’s really life-giving, I’ve been really happy.” Her Nagaland experience, she further expresses has been really nice while commenting that the people here are really warm and friendly.
A Mumbai-based artist, activist and academic, Aqui Thami is also a founding member of Dharavi Art Room as well as a member of Bombay Underground, an artist collective.
