GGPNL Award: CM calls for documenting oral storytelling

December 1, 2021 85 Views No Comment

Correspondent KOHIMA, Dec 1 (NPN) : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio gave away the Third Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature (GGPNL) to Veio Pou for “Waiting for the Dust to Settle” in fiction category and Wangto Chingmak for “The Chang Nagas – In memory of our undefeated ancestors” in the non-fiction category at Hotel Japfu here Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, he congratulated the award winners and appreciated Kohima Education Society (KES) for recognising and motivating Naga literature.

Rio remarked that Naga writers might be few, but it was only the beginning since Naga society was young. Mentioning that a lot of research was required in documenting the history of Nagas, he called for documenting the tradition of oral storytelling so that the younger generation could know the history of Nagas.

Lauding KES for bridging legacy of the British and the Nagas, Rio said that through Gordon Graham appreciation for the Nagas remained for helping the British during the World War I.

Announcing that more activities would be initiated in association with KES in next financial year, the chief minister called for making the society grow to higher level and order to continue encouraging and supporting young writers. Master of ceremonies Bano Haralu said Veio Pou was assistant professor in Department of English, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Delhi. She mentioned that his interest was in oral tradition, cultural studies, indigenous studies of the Northeast, studies of modernist and post-colonial literature, adding that “Waiting for the Dust to Settle” was his debut fiction novel.

Informing the audience that Wangto Chingmak was a pastor of Chang Baptist Church, Haralu said that according to the judges, his book stood out “for his insider narration of a subject that has largely remained an outsider insider interpretation, it also holds out an interesting perspective of a Christian Pastor searching for a connection with his ancestral fate”.

Sharing his experience on behalf of the judges, Prof ANS Ahmed cautioned budding writers that grammatical flaws in content would lower the credibility of a book, reason why a lot of care should be taken for copy editing. He advised those writing fiction to structure the story inherited from screenplay technique.

The professor advised using research methodology while writing non-fiction or scholarly books. He said impartiality was important in writing non-fiction.

Delivering the welcome address, KES chairman P Ngully said the Gordon Graham’s mission was to promote good writing and raise the profiles of Naga writers. He said the awards were aimed at recognising and rewarding knowledge-keepers and idea-givers of Naga Society, adding that these were intended to encourage reading and writing in Naga society.

Giving an introduction of judges and sharing the history of GGPNL, KES president Charles Chasie said a three-member panel of independent scholars and writers comprising Prof Ahmed, Prof Vikas Kumar and Dr Easterine Kire adjudged the winners. He mentioned that the winners were chosen from the shortlisted 10 entries.

The winners also delivered acceptance speeches.

The gathering was enthralled by a musical rendition by Music Academy Kohima and Naga traditional song by Mezhür Higher Secondary School and Northfield Higher Secondary School.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/ggpnl-award-cm-calls-for-documenting-oral-storytelling/245660.html