Tangkhul Literature Festival 2022 begins in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang

Ukhrul, December 13 2022: The much-awaited Tangkhul Literature Festival 2022 began on Tuesday in Ukhrul town, with many Tangkhul literature luminaries recalling the landmark literary works of American Baptist missionary Rev William Pettigrew, who helped develop and preserve the language and literature of Tangkhul Naga tribe over a hundred years ago.

The event is being organised by Tangkhul Naga Society, Delhi (TNSD) in collaboration wjth North East Foundation for Education & Culture (NEFEC) and Association of Recognised Schools, Ukhrul District (ARSUD) and will feature literary competitions, discussions, lectures, performances and other events.

Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah inaugurated the two-day-long festival at the Union Baptist Church's old building in the presence of Prof Darlando T Khathing, vice chancellor, North East Christian University; TNSD president Dr AC Kharingpam, NEFEC secretary AC Tamyo and ARSUD president Yanni Kashung, Dr Nelson Vashum, National Commission for Women (NCW) advisor Soso Shaiza and Tangkhul writers and intellectuals.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Ram Muivah recalled Rev William Pettigrew as the founder of Tangkhul literature, stating that Pettigrew's work was 'a great gift to the Tangkhul people'.

He said that Rev Pettigrew arrived in Ukhrul in the late 19th century and began preaching Christianity to the Tangkhul people who were pagans then.

"He soon realised that using their own language and literature was the best way to reach out to the people and promote the gospel and so he began translating the Bible into Tangkhul, as well as writing original works in the language, such as a grammar book and a dictionary," Muivah said.

He went on to mention that Pettigrew was also credited for the introduction of a and a (a for high tone and a for low tone; also written as a for high tone and a for low tone) used in Tangkhul literature today.

Pettigrew invented the two words after he realised English vowels could not do full justice to the phonetics of Tangkhul dialect, especially in writings.

He said that Pettigrew's works laid the foundation for Tangkhul literature, which has flourished over the last century.

"Today, many Tangkhul authors and poets are following the footsteps and continuing the legacy", he noted.

Muivah recalled that 50 years later three of Pettigrew's students, namely Miksha Shimray, T Luikham and Kanrei Shaiza began writing Tangkhul books.

In 1959, MK Shimray wrote a book titled 'Tangkhul Miwurlung' .

He was the first writer among the community to have published a book in Tangkhul.

Muivah, who is also a co-founder of Tangkhul Naga Society Delhi, extolled TNSD president Dr AC Kharingpam for taking the initiative to celebrate the rich Tangkhul language and its literature.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Darlando T Khathing emphasised the importance of literature in a language, stating "Literature tells us about the realities of life.

It also tells us who we are as a people.

It tells us about different cultures of the world".

"We learn about other cultures' ways of life, notably their culture, through reading their literature.

When we read more literary books, we not only expand our vocabulary but also improve our ability to communicate effectively," Khathing said and encouraged young students to start writing poems and books.

Dr AC Kharingpam explained that the goal of TLF 2022 is to resurrect and reignite the value of having one's own community literature.

"Our narrative is best told when we tell it ourselves, because language is more than just a medium of communication.

A people without language and literature are a lost people," he said.

He continued that language is the carrier of culture and tradition, and there can be no unique identity without the uniqueness of the language spoken by the people.

"We are bom into culture and tradition, and learning the language allows us to navigate society and make sense of our life.

Language is the means by which humans find fulfilment in God," he said, adding that the achievement of human understanding of language is the fulfilment of human hearts.

It's only through collective responsibility that the Tangkhul society could transform its literature into one of the most vibrant and beautiful literatures in the world, he stressed.

"As we celebrate 125 years of having our own literature, it is time to reflect on what has been written and said", he said.

Dr Kharingpam also recalled how William Pettigrew chose "Hunphun dialect" as the Tangkhul community's language when he arrived in Ukhrul in 1896 .

In his welcome address, Yarmi Kashung welcomed everyone to the programme and highlighted that the Tangkhul literature festival was organised taking cognizance of the importance of language and literature in the life of the people.

As part of the inaugural ceremony, children from Pam's Kindergarten delighted the audience with a special number called "We are the World." Guru Rawung also performed an original folk tune.

In the noon and evening session, panel discussions and talks featuring prominent Tangkhul literature personalities were held.

The festival will continue till December 14 .

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