Nagaland has you entangled in tranquility, says acclaimed Indian novelist & poet, Vikram Seth

October 31, 2024 2 Views No Comment

Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | October 31

“I have only been here for three days, and the amount of stimulation, mental and otherwise, from Mokokchung to the Reservoir where the Amur Falcon nests, to come down here to go to Khonoma village and now to the (Kohima) War Cemetery. There is so much history in these four places that it really has you kind of entangled in tranquility.”

These are the impressions of Nagaland that has, so far, been imprinted in the mind of the critically acclaimed Indian novelist and poet, Vikram Seth who is currently visiting the state. Vikram Seth is the author of several novels and poetry books and has also won several awards including Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, Commonwealth Poetry Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award, Commonwealth Writers Prize, WH Smith Literary Award, Crossword Book Award, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, EMMA (BT Ethnic and Multicultural Media Award) for Best Book/Novel, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Padma Shri, and NDTV’s 25 Greatest Global Living Legends in India.

enowned Indian poet, novelist, and travel writer, Vikram Seth in a conversation moderated by Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu at Kohima College Kohima on October 30. (Morung Photo)

In an exclusive interview with The Morung Express, he also shared a piece of advice for aspiring writers from Nagaland. “Don’t try to write in more complicated fashion than the subject requires. Be yourself!” he advocated. As somebody, who confesses that poetry is his first love, he further advised, “And in the first instance, if you are a poet, write for yourself and don’t mind failing.” Underscoring that “that is a very important thing”, he also disclosed that, “I’ve got manuscripts stashed away which are no good” and reiterated “Don’t mind failing.”

His visit to Nagaland, primarily to witness Amur Falcons has been made possible by Conservationist Bano Haralu, who is closely associated with the author and his family. Speaking in relation to the Amur Falcons, he said that his book, “The Elephant and The Tragopan”—an ecological fable in verse, is also about events associated with Bano Haralu, who has been instrumental as one of the prime movers in saving the roosting grounds of the Amur Falcon in Nagaland.

“At least they have a place to rest their weary wings on the way from Siberia to South Africa. This is a wonderful, blessed space that they have”, he remarked while also expressing further that “it is wonderful to have a consensus with the villages to somehow make things possible both for our human species and for wildlife.”

The noted author was at Kohima College Kohima for a conversation that was moderated by Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu in the presence of Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, former Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Dr. Kevilenuo Sakhrie, former Associate Professor and Head of the English Department at Kohima College Kohima, Conservationist Bano Haralu and Dr. Vitsosie Vüprü, Principal of Kohima College Kohima among others.

During the conversation, Vikram Seth spoke about his love for poetry while confessing that, “poetry is my first love and every novel written is preceded by dedication in verse.” However, he also acknowledged that “one cannot make a living out of poetry (unless you teach).”

He further talked about his novels namely “The Golden Gate”, “A Suitable Boy” and “An Equal Music” while touching upon the idea of home and how he always reverts to what he calls his linguistic home, which is poetry.

Also citing the famed Angami song “Ara Kezivi” (My Beautiful Homeland), he remarked, “you think of home the most when you are in the borders.”

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-has-you-entangled-in-tranquility-says-acclaimed-indian-novelist-poet-vikram-seth