Friday, July 11, 2025
spot_img

Mizoram has 363 novels in 70 yrs

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Aizawl: Mizoram, a late starter in written literature, had its first novel completed in 1936.

During these seventy years, 363 novels have been published in Mizo language, an average of five novels a year.

Of the 363 novels, 37 have been authored by C Laizawna, author of two Mizo Academy of Letters’ books of the year–Hmangaihzuali and Anita. While another author Lalengmawia Ralte wrote 17 novels, James Dokhuma, author of one of the widest-read novels Thlahleinga Zan, had 11 novels to his credits.

”Though L Biakliana (1918-1941) completed Mizos’ first novel Hawilopari in 1936, it was published posthumously only in 1983, due to financial constraint and lack of printing press during his days,” said Zoramdinthara, a research scholar in Mizoram University’s Mizo department, in his paper ‘The first Mizo novel Hawilopari: A critical analysis’ presented at the three-day national seminar on Mizo novels, at Aijal Club here today.

The first novel was published with a short story Lali, by the same author written in 1937.

The seminar-cum-workshop, inaugurated by Governor Vakkom Purushothaman Wednesday, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the first Mizo novel.

According to a handbook published on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of Mizo novella, a spurt in Mizo novels came with the new millennium.

Nearly half of Mizo novels published during the last seventy years came out during the last decade. As many as 165 novels were published during 2000 to 2011. This year, 11 novels have so far hit the book stores. The years 2010 and 2008 recorded the highest number of works of fiction with 21 novels each published. Biakliana, though he penned only two fictions, a novel and a short story, was regarded as ‘Father of Mizo novel.’ He and three other contemporaries–Kaphleia (1910-1940), Lalzuithanga (1916-1950), and C Thuamluaia (1922-1959), were named pioneers of Mizo novel. Kaphleia wrote only one novel, Chhingpuii, a historical fiction in 1939. Lalzuithanga authored two novels Thlahrang and Phira Leh Ngurthanpari during the same, C Thuamluaia was famous for his Sialton Official, a short story.

Governor Purusho-thaman, who inaugurated the seminar, felt a strong need for translating Mizo literature into English. ”If good books (of Mizo) are not translated into English or Hindi, how could Mizos be known in the larger academic world,” he said. The governor said this in the presence of Prof Kedutso Kapfo, director of Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, that sponsored the seminar. (UNI)

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Djokovic one step closer to title

London, July 10: Novak Djokovic’s search for his personal Holy Grail – a 25th Grand Slam title and...

After routing Real Madrid, PSG eye Chelsea and historic quadruple

East Rutherford, July 10: Wearing their blue, red and white jerseys, Paris Saint-Germain supporters were surrounded by white...

Belinda Bencic storms into semis

London, July 9: Returning to the circuit after the birth of her child, Belinda Bencic continued with her...

Asia Cup in doubt after India, Lanka refuse to attend ACC meeting

Mumbai, July 10: The Asia Cup cricket tournament plunged into further doubt and chaos after India and Sri...