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DIPHU — A book titled ‘Introduction to Tiwa Grammar,’ written by Dr. Virginia Dawn, an associate professor of History at Western Washington University, USA, was released during a programme held at Shikdamakha Indoor Stadium in Amrit, West Karbi Anglong, located about 205 km from Diphu on August 21.
Dr. Dawson was the second foreigner who has contributed to Tiwa literature. Dr Virginia Dawson is an Australian national living in the United States (US).
For the last seven years, she has been visiting Umswai in West Karbi Anglong and started learning the Tiwa language introducing herself as Virginia Maslai. Her book ‘Introduction to Tiwa Grammar’ has contributed a lot to the development of the Tiwa language.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Speaking at the function, executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), D Uphing Maslai said, 'it was a historic moment for Tiwa literature. It will be recorded in the literary history of the Tiwas.”
He stated that it was the second foreign national who has written and published Tiwa Grammar. The first book was written by Fr. M. Balawan, who became a French national in 1975.
Dr. Dawson extended gratitude to those who have helped her to learn Tiwa language namely Bibiana Maslai, Mary Maslai, Olphindro Malang and other persons.
“I love Tiwa people and the Tiwa language is very sweet. I want to come back again to take up another project in the Tiwa language,” Dr. Dawson said.
The programme was also attended by president of Tiwa Mathonlai Tokhra (TMT), Dipendra Nath Bordoloi, and secretary, Bidyut Bikash Senapati; Lalsing Madar, former president of TMT, Lalsing Madar; Bhasha Sanman awardee Horsing Kholar; and other dignitaries.
It is worth mentioning here that Shikdamakha village in Amri is the cleanest village in Assam.