Nagaland: 'Our voices are so important'

Second series of 'Open Book' features 'fresh voices'

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 5

In a step towards enriching the literary scenario in Nagaland, Writers' Collective Kohima on Saturday brought together fresh voices for its second series of 'Open Book', an initiative to explore the wonders of Naga stories at D/Cafe Kohima. 

Speaking at the event, General Secretary of Writers' Collective Kohima, Vizovono Elizabeth remarked that “in Nagaland, literature is something that is still very new wherein our people are yet to learn to appreciate literature.”

She asserted that our voices are so important and encouraged the emerging storytellers not to lose hope, but to keep on writing and to keep on going. Terming the Open Book initiative as a small step taken, she highlighted that it was initiated “because we have not yet learn to appreciate our own stories and are too busy trying to be at par with the world.”

Stating concern that we are forgetting our stories which hold answers to questions such as where we come from, she also reminded that the motive to become an author should not be to earn money but with the purpose of telling our stories to the rest of the world. 

“No matter how much we accumulate from this life and the world, they will die with you on the day you are gone. But what you write, document and record in the form of books, that will stay forever. Your voices will continue to live even after you are gone”, she pointed out.

'A woman's voice is not a transgression'
The 'Open Book' second series that was held under the tagline, “exploring the wonders of Naga stories” featured a talk by Vibeituonuo Kuotsu Solo, a journalist, storyteller & entrepreneur, whose debut book, “The Light After The Storm” is slated for release this October. 

In her talk, Vibeituonuo Kuotsu Solo shared that her journey as a writer began with a lifelong love of reading, though she never imagined she would become one herself. Expressing that when she discovered the works of Naga authors like Easterine Kire and Rita Krocha, she said, “I was captivated by their ability to tell profound stories with such simplicity.”

She recalled Easterine Kire's advice a few years ago during a conversation, to start writing down her thoughts as they came. “From that day, I began documenting everything, using my phone's notes or email drafts whenever inspiration struck”, she said.

Noting Kire's advice that every small, fleeting details are easily forgotten, she highlighted that once she sat on her computer to write her stories, she also understood that these details are the soul of a story. 

She also spoke about the 13 short stories contained in her debut book while describing them as a mixture of emotions, blending personal experiences with both fiction and non-fiction.

“The Light After the Storm”, she added, “candidly explores my experience with divorce, and I have been moved to hear from women who have found solace and recognition in its pages, helping them through their own difficult times in relationships.”

Further stating that she doesn't mean to be a feminist now, she however exuded hope that her book would begin a new conversation- “one where we can finally say, “It is okay to talk about broken marriage or relationship.” 

“It is a space to affirm that a woman's voice is not a transgression, and that her story is not a shameful secret”, she affirmed. 

The second series of 'Open Book' also featured 'Fresh Voices Open Mic' featuring the voices of young poets and authors including Runshito Lims, K. Roselyn Miachieo, T. Dili Khekho, Kenlumzailie Michui and Sofia Livimi Swu besides Boliti Achumi and Mharoni C Yanthan, who are both students of Stella Higher Secondary School Kohima. 

Mention may be made here that the two series of 'Open Book' were organised by Writers' Collective Kohima in collaboration with Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), and is envisioned for people in various fields of art to walk together towards a journey of supporting and promoting each other.