Ward’s Lake continued to be a happening place during the second day of the ongoing Shillong Literary Fest drawing a larger crowd as literary intellectuals continue their discourse.
The day began with a discourse between writers Sanjoy Hazarika, Ankush Saikia, Ramona Sangma, Hannah Lalhlanpui, and Dr Madeline Y Tham on culture and heritage and its influence on writing. The session also discussed a significant milestone that has been undertaken by the government – to document Meghalaya’s listing of culturally important sites in the state.
The Meghalaya Listing Document, a groundbreaking 650-page compilation is the first of its-kind collaboration between The Meghalayan Age Limited (MAL) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) explores both the tangible and intangible heritage of Meghalaya, particularly Shillong. The document was officially unveiled yesterday.
Ramona Sangma during her speech informed on the listing of such sites and buildings in Garo Hills. She mentioned that about 20 sites in Garo Hills have been listed in the document. These also include the Mission Hospital and the residence of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in West Garo Hills.
As per the book on listing, more than 300 such structures across the state have been identified and added as buildings of historical significance.
Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Ram Kumar had a discussion with Anita Agnihotri who launched a book ‘A touch of salt’ that talks about the unrecorded history of the Agariyas working in the salt pans who have no water in the Rann of Kutch, with no homes or schools for their children.
Another discussion centred on transcending boundaries and translation of literature with former civil service officer and noted writer from Arunachal Pradesh, Yeshe Dorjee Thangchi, Dr Moushami Kandali with Dr Moushumi Chakraborty.
Yeshe, who primarily writes in Assamese despite being a Arunachali, spoke about how he came to use Assamese as a medium of writing explaining along with it the history of Arunachal’s association with India. Kandali spoke about her book of short stories named ‘The Black Magic Woman’ and how she came about the title. Her works, mainly written in Assamese have been translated to various national and international languages.
Bikash Roy Debbarma, Anil Kr Boro, Basan Marak and Dr Streamlet Dkhar discussed on indigenous voices of the Northeast.
Avner Pariat, a budding poet and writer from Shillong launched his book of poems before explaining to Sasanbha Lytan on why he chose Khasi and not English for a book on poetry. He said that he wanted others to write in their mother tongue as many were forgetting to write in their own language.
Local author, Abie Alexander and illustrator, Dr Benedict Hynniewta then spoke about the launch of their book, ‘The chicken who flew into Canada’ in a discussion with Saloni Verma.
In an engaging session of poetry that followed, poets Madhu Raghavendra and Nabina Das discussed the nuances of poetry in a conversation with Dr Lalnunsanga Ralte while reading excerpts of their own work.
Noted writer and columnist Shobhaa De and Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim in a discussion with Shahana Chaterjee discussed growing up in the republic. The discussion that was listened to with rapt attention with the audience clapping at points being made by the duo.
Both spoke at length about life a little after Independence and how it shaped their lives and led to their many pursuits. They also spoke about women empowerment.
