TURA: A one-day Writers’ Meet was organised by the A∙chik Literature Society in collaboration with the Department of Garo, at the conference hall of the North Eastern Hill University campus in Tura on Friday.
Former deputy commissioner of Tura, Mrs Lutherine R. Sangma, IAS (Rtd) inaugurated the seminar and spoke on the need to develop A’chik literature.
“We need to develop and value our own A∙chik language, to speak the language wherever we are, to keep the language alive” said Mrs Sangma.
She suggested the celebration of the International Mother Tongue Day and encouraged the students to work and study hard to uplift the A∙chik people and their literature.
On the occasion, two books, namely The Midong Kaa Ceremony jointly written by Fameline K. Marak, Colnat B. Marak and Barbara S. Sangma, and Songgitcham (The Ancestral Village) written by Kroshnil D. Sangma were released by the chief guest.
Two A’chik authors Wilbirth D. Marak and Kroshnil D. Sangma also gave a presentation on their written works.
To celebrate the writers meet, students from the Department of Garo in NEHU presented a soulful english song Bless the Lord O My Soul to the fusion music of guitar, traditional instruments Chigring, A·chik drum, flute and a gong.
Songs in the Garo dialects Atong and Am’beng laying stress on environmental protection were also presented by students.
The daylong event witnessed the reading and recitation of a total of 54 poems and five plays. Later, certificates were presented to the participants by the President of the A∙chik Literature Society Prof Caroline R. Marak.