Our Correspondent
Diphu, April 9 (EMN): With the purpose of boosting communal harmony through art, culture and literature, a two-day culture and literary meet called Sahitya Sanskriti Aru Sampriti commenced at Joysing Doloi Auditorium on Saturday.
The meet was organised jointly by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Assam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) and Karbi Cultural Society (KCS).
Inaugurating the event, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of KAAC Tuliram Ronghang said it was a ‘great initiative’ taken by ASS and KCS to showcase the rich culture, language and tradition. All necessary support will be extended by the KAAC for the event, he assured.
The inaugural function witnessed the conferring of Joysing Hanse Literary and Socio-Cultural Award for 2022 to Lunse Timung of Lorulangso, Diphu, for his contribution in promoting Karbi language and literature while Dharmeshor Katoki Child Literature Award went to Abhijit Sarma Baruah of Jorhat. Both the awardees received a cash prize of INR 10, 000 along with Assamese seleng, Karbi traditional turban, Assamese horai, japee and a citation note. The awards were conferred by ASS.
President of the reception committee, MLA Bidyasing Engleng said that there are around 50 ethnic tribes and communities living in coexistence without any ‘ill feeling and jealousy among them’.
He said, “Every tribe has its own distinct culture and language and tradition and the Karbis is one of them. The tribe has its unique culture, language and tradition. Be it the Karbis living in the plain or hill districts, they can understand each other as their way of living, eating habits and rituals are the same.”
He said according to tradition, Songsar Recho, Rangsina Sarpo, Singmirjeng, Longbi and Chidu have descended from heaven to create language, teach songs and stories among the Karbis. There is the Musera Kehir – narrating the origin of the Karibs, social rituals like riso chojun, chomangkan and social customs. A noted writer Birendra Nath Dutta has documented all these in his books, he said.
President of Assam Sahitya Sabha Dr. Kuladhar Saikia in his speech emphasised on writing of folk tales as a way to develop one's mother tongue.
Saikia said, “In tribal literature there are numerous interesting folk tales that can be translated into other languages. Writers should translate them so that our children can read them. Today’s children cannot properly speak their own mother tongue and by reading such interesting folk tales, they can learn their own mother tongue.”
He also said there is nothing to boast of being able to speak English fluently if one cannot master his/her own mother.
The ASS president also said that different cultural troupes of various ethnic groups are participating to showcase their rich culture, language and tradition as it is an exchange of art and culture.
There will be an art exhibition and multi-language poetry recitation on Sunday.
Speaking at the event, former Additional Director General (ASS), Doordarshan/Akashvani and executive president, cultural committee of ASS, Dipendranath Basumatary said that the meet aims at strengthening the bond of communal harmony between various ethnic tribes and communities.
ASS also felicitated Padmashree recipient for 2022 Dhaneswar Engti along with other personalities like Pokhila Lekthepi for her long reputation as a renowned Karbi singer, Khorsing Terang, and recipient of Best Sports Achiever Award Pokhila Engtipi.
A video album depicting Padmashree Rongbong Terang and his literary works directed by Rintu Borah was also released by the president of ASS. The song is written by Deben Kakoti and sung by Himakhi Borah.