Tokaholi Chishi author of the book ‘A language of flowers: A collection of short-stories’ released on June 6. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 6
The book titled ‘A language of flowers: A collection of short-stories’ written by Tokaholi Chishi was released in a launching function at The White Owl, Niathu Plaza, Chümoukedima on June 6. The author has also written and released a song for this book with the same title.
Taking the stage to share about her debut book, the author Tokaholi said, “I have always been fascinated by the beauty of women, and not just external beauty but the delicate kindness that women possess.”
Throwing some light on the title and core of the book, she said that women are often viewed as flowers, but flowers do not speak. “But we gift language and even symbols for the beauty flowers possess just like us, women. So, in this book there are stories of three girls, with names of flowers, Dahlia, Poppy and Edelweiss and they represent the meaning of the flowers in their names,” she said.
On the note of writing the book, Tokaholi said she wanted to write a book that she would want to read. “I read a book each week and have often discovered that there are few books I would like to read myself – something that is easy to savor, short and perfect for a cool evening and this book hopefully could fill some of your evenings with a touch of colour.”
“Lastly, this is also a book that symbolizes God fulfilling the desires of my heart,” she said while adding, “This is His gift to me, the author of my life has also called me to be His author, to tell stories of the women He loves, who are all His flowers that He waters and nurtures each new morning. And to the men, who makes our lives sweeter, more loving and much more purposeful.”
Books – A reminder of shared humanity
The special guest, Oka V Chisho, entrepreneur and financial consultant in his speech stated that over the years many of his thought process and outlook on life were shaped and built from the books he read growing up.
“Books, I believe have the power of storytelling to connect us, to help us understand one another and build bridges across the divide that too often separates us. Books when read and discussed about with others tend to spark conversations and connections that might not have happened otherwise because at the end of the day that's what books are all about,” he remarked.
Chisho noted that “books remind us of our shared humanity; that challenge us to think differently and offer us a glimpse into worlds and experiences that we might not have access to.”
Commending the author on the launch of her debut book, Chisho said that he has found her “to be consistently consistent and built different than the rest; someone who is faithful and trustworthy, a truly gifted musician who is not only very intelligent but very articulate and meticulous in what she does.”
“In today's context we would call her the ‘dying breed’ because she is a dreamer living in a restless world where people don't dream anymore,” he added. “It takes a creative mind and a whole lot of patience to publish a book because it is one thing to have an idea or have an inspiration to write a book but a different ball game to pen it down and publish it. This I believe would inspire you all to pick up reading again if you have stooped at any point of your life,” he concluded.
The book launch also featured book reviews by Jungtina Jamir Angh, Founder Prism India and Dr Inakali Assumi, author. Jungtina said that the book is more than just a collection of good stories on paper; it is a reflection of the author’s creativity and conviction. “There are three stories in these pages and these stories are of grace, of living fully alive, of experiencing the beauty of aches of being a human being and encountering the freedom in being a fool. Yet, they teach you and me to stop and smell the flowers, to dare to love and to loosen our grip on fear,” she summarised.
Dr Inakali observed one thing that stands out in the book is the author’s exquisite aestheticism. The book “is a celebration of beauty in all its forms; beauty that comes with self-realization of your inner self and choosing to live for your dreams, beauty that comes with knowing where you belong and finding contentment in the simplicity of life, and beauty that comes when we live with kindness and goodness,” she reviewed.
Earlier, the dedicatory prayer was said by Ilungle Aier, editor’s note was shared by Sentinaro Longkumer, Heritage Publication House and Imsang jamir presented a special song.
