NE writers meet for peace
Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, January 29, 2011:
In an attempt to usher peace in the trouble-torn north eastern region of India a platform of writers from north east and �mainland' met at Delhi today and deliberated on the role of writers and journalists within the region and outside.
Several books are also put on display at the site of the meet venue.
A photographic series on 'seven sisters and the city' by Uzma Mohsin based on the lives of girls/women from the region in the capital is among the exhibition items.
A release by the organizer Zubaan stated that more and more creative writing is coming from the region and in many ways the conflicts and the impact of the situation is being reflected in the form of poetries, novels and other literary works from these states.
Underlying all this is a desire for normalcy, whatever that may mean, and this finds expression in the richness and complexity of the writing as well as the beauty and poignancy of the art and music from the region, the Zubaan observed.
The release also noted that while writers from north east are of all ages women do not follow but form the vanguard.
That there are many young writers and a vibrant dialogue between generations through well established sahitya sabhas and literary organizations, writers groups etc.
It underlines that these writers keep the lines of dialogue open in the Northeast by channeling and giving space to creativity and works of the imagination, it maintained.
A series of workshops/seminars around the themes of Peace and how writing and culture contribute to creating an atmosphere that is conducive to peace was held.
Reading of poems written by Irom Sharmila and a solo play based on the book "Burning Bright"were part of the festival of culture of peace.
Beside scribes from the north east, other writers present at the meet included Rupa Chinai from Mumbai, Deepti Priya Mehrotra from Delhi and Laxmi Murthy from Kathmandu.