Mamang Dai is one of India’s most evocative contemporary writers in
English. Hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, the rhythm of her verse reflects the
rhythms of the oral tradition of her Adi tribe, and of the natural landscape to
which she is so attached. Her poetic voice, as expressed in the collections
River Poems, The Balm of Time, Midsummer Survival Lyrics, and the folk tale
Hambreelmai's Loom, is gentle, melodious and poignant. While her poetry can be
nostalgic for passing traditions and denuded landscapes, and does not avoid the
political realities and unease of the times, it is always imbued with hope and
love.
Mamang Dai’s poetry ranges across all the aspects of life in the
Northeast - positive and negative, political and ideological, nature and
community - but is never harsh or opaque. This has been her gift to students
and readers - limpid and accessible verse that lights up the beauty of the
natural and cultural milieu of the Northeast, shifting the image of conflict
and militancy often associated with the region.
A meticulous documenter and proponent of the social, environmental, aesthetic
and culinary aspects of Arunachal Pradesh, Mamang Dai has also written a range
of works of non-fiction (The Hidden Land, Mountain Harvest) and fiction (she
received the Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel The Black Hill), but has
described poetry as her “life-line”. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011.
She has also been a journalist across print, TV and radio, and has worked with
the World Wildlife Fund in the Eastern Himalayas Biodiversity Hotspots
programme.
Accepting the Poet Laureateship for Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai
LitFest 2023, Mamang Dai said: “I am quite overwhelmed to be invited to be the
Poet Laureate of the Tata Literature Live! 2023. I think it is wonderful that
Tata Literature Live! Mumbai literature festival celebrates poetry. I feel
honoured, and inspired”.
Co-Director of the Festival, Quasar Thakore Padamsee said, “We are
excited and honoured that Mamang Dai will be this year’s Poet Laureate at the Tata
Literature Live! The Mumbai Litfest. Apart from being a distinguished poet and
author, Mamang Dai has lived a life of service and commitment, having also been
a journalist, a dedicated conservationist and an eminent socio-cultural
chronicler. The breadth and depth of her experience will add an uplifting
dimension to the Poet Laureateship of the Festival”.
Mr Harish Bhat, Brand Custodian, Tata Sons said, “We are privileged to
bestow the title of Poet Laureate upon Ms Mamang Dai for the 2023 edition of Tata
Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest. This recognition is perhaps one of the
many accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award
that adorn her illustrious life as one of the finest writers in English from
Northeast India. The universality of her poems, while taking inspiration from
nature, is deeply intertwined with her multifaceted experiences as a novelist,
journalist, IAS officer, a woman, as well her indigenous heritage as the member
of the Adi tribe. Her poems, today, are an evocative voice for the art, for
women, as well as for indigenous tribes. We look forward to hosting an
important voice like Ms Mamang Dai's at the festival.”
Previous Tata Literature Live Poet Laureates include renowned names
like Gieve Patel, Adil Jussawalla, Javed Akhtar, K. Satchidanandan, Jayanta
Mahapatra, Gulzar, Keki Daruwalla, Vikram Seth, and Joy Goswami.
Stay tuned to Films & TV World for much such updates and breaking
news.
No comments:
Post a Comment