Amazing Aizwal in mast Mizoram
The wings of the aircraft seemed to brush past the green mountains
as it landed at Lengpui Airport. A cross with an inscription “Thy
Kingdom Come’ welcomed me to my maiden visit to Mizoram (from mi
'people', zo 'hill', ram 'country', literally "land of the hill
people”).
Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. As
many as 21 major hill ranges or peaks of different heights run through
the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and
there.
Mizoram celebrated its 27th statehood on 20 February.It became the
23rd state of India on 1987. It shares its boundary with Tripura, Assam,
Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma.
One of the most literate and urban of the states of the country, it has
been ‘peaceful’ after the Mizo accord, which led to the state to be
formed.
Aizwal, its capital city, about 30 kms from the airport seemed to
be built almost on the mountain ridges. With a population of about 3
lakhs, it is the largest city of the state. In fact over one fourth of
the population of Mizoram live in this city.
Women Empowerment
One thing that struck me as I moved into Aizwal was the over
whelming presence of women in business establishments. All the shops and
business establishments were ‘manned’ by women. Majority of the buyers
in the market were also women. There was just two areas where there was
male domination. One, cab drivers; and two, politicians. For a state
where women seemed to run the business establishments, there were few
women member of legislative assembly.
I was also amazed by the grace and beauty of the women in Aizwal.
One fine morning I met the most beautiful and graceful 'machhiwali'
(fisher woman) I had ever seen in my life. I found her in front of the
State Guest House, where I was lodged in Aizwal. I asked her in sign
language (as I did not know Mizo, she did not know English) can I take
your photos? She readily agreed. The sun smiled. Even the fishes strung
together in a thin wire (something which I had never seen earlier)
seemed to be smiling.
Korean Films and Football
Entire Mizoram seemed to be hooked to Korean romantic films and
television serials. In the market, pirated copies of Korean films were
sold on the pavements. On television several Korean television serials
were shown dubbed in Mizo language. Aizwal has two major cable
operators. Both compete with the other to provide more channels of
entertainment. And, yes I watched Hindi serials too dubbed in Mizo
language.
Talking about television, Aizwal probably has more channels showing
football matches than in any other city I had seen. People in Mizoram
love football. Aizwal hosts several football tournaments.
Rokunga
When I was in Aizwal, Mizoram was celebrating the birth centenary
of poet Rokunga. Rokunga (1914-1969) is regarded as the ‘Poet of the
Century’ of Mizoram. He is often compared to Rabindranath Tagore for the
style of his primarily patriotic poems. According to Mizo literature
critic F Vanlalrochana, the entire collection of songs and poems of
Rokunga can be summarised with an immortal line of Tagore: “Into that
heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake..” Born to Thangluta
Hmar and Zaliani at Venghnuai he wrote his first song in 1939. He worked
in Loch Printing Press, which was later renamed Synod Pressfrom 1934
till his death. He was actively involved in Church activities and was
elected Church Elder (Upa) of Mission Veng Church. He wrote his last
song in May 1969 barely two months before his death.
There was news of the birth centenary celebration on the front page
of almost of Aizwal newspapers. I wanted to know more about the poet
and enquired if I could get English and/or Hindi translation of his
poems. Unfourtunately I could find none. I think Mizoram Governemnt
should get his poems translated into English and or Hindi to begin with
and then to other languages.
Tailpiece
Mizoram is a dry state. Sale and consumption of liquor is
prohibited. But as somebody remarked, it is the wettest dry state in the
country.
***
The author teaches journalism and writes fiction. He lives at
Paniohala hill valley in Dhenkanal, Odisha. His latest novel Kandhei
(The Doll) has just been published. He can be contacted at
mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com
- See more at: http://orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=48298#sthash.a5v3UxVB.dpuf
Amazing Aizwal in mast Mizoram
The wings of the aircraft seemed to brush past the green mountains
as it landed at Lengpui Airport. A cross with an inscription “Thy
Kingdom Come’ welcomed me to my maiden visit to Mizoram (from mi
'people', zo 'hill', ram 'country', literally "land of the hill
people”).
Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. As
many as 21 major hill ranges or peaks of different heights run through
the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and
there.
Mizoram celebrated its 27th statehood on 20 February.It became the
23rd state of India on 1987. It shares its boundary with Tripura, Assam,
Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma.
One of the most literate and urban of the states of the country, it has
been ‘peaceful’ after the Mizo accord, which led to the state to be
formed.
Aizwal, its capital city, about 30 kms from the airport seemed to
be built almost on the mountain ridges. With a population of about 3
lakhs, it is the largest city of the state. In fact over one fourth of
the population of Mizoram live in this city.
Women Empowerment
One thing that struck me as I moved into Aizwal was the over
whelming presence of women in business establishments. All the shops and
business establishments were ‘manned’ by women. Majority of the buyers
in the market were also women. There was just two areas where there was
male domination. One, cab drivers; and two, politicians. For a state
where women seemed to run the business establishments, there were few
women member of legislative assembly.
I was also amazed by the grace and beauty of the women in Aizwal.
One fine morning I met the most beautiful and graceful 'machhiwali'
(fisher woman) I had ever seen in my life. I found her in front of the
State Guest House, where I was lodged in Aizwal. I asked her in sign
language (as I did not know Mizo, she did not know English) can I take
your photos? She readily agreed. The sun smiled. Even the fishes strung
together in a thin wire (something which I had never seen earlier)
seemed to be smiling.
Korean Films and Football
Entire Mizoram seemed to be hooked to Korean romantic films and
television serials. In the market, pirated copies of Korean films were
sold on the pavements. On television several Korean television serials
were shown dubbed in Mizo language. Aizwal has two major cable
operators. Both compete with the other to provide more channels of
entertainment. And, yes I watched Hindi serials too dubbed in Mizo
language.
Talking about television, Aizwal probably has more channels showing
football matches than in any other city I had seen. People in Mizoram
love football. Aizwal hosts several football tournaments.
Rokunga
When I was in Aizwal, Mizoram was celebrating the birth centenary
of poet Rokunga. Rokunga (1914-1969) is regarded as the ‘Poet of the
Century’ of Mizoram. He is often compared to Rabindranath Tagore for the
style of his primarily patriotic poems. According to Mizo literature
critic F Vanlalrochana, the entire collection of songs and poems of
Rokunga can be summarised with an immortal line of Tagore: “Into that
heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake..” Born to Thangluta
Hmar and Zaliani at Venghnuai he wrote his first song in 1939. He worked
in Loch Printing Press, which was later renamed Synod Pressfrom 1934
till his death. He was actively involved in Church activities and was
elected Church Elder (Upa) of Mission Veng Church. He wrote his last
song in May 1969 barely two months before his death.
There was news of the birth centenary celebration on the front page
of almost of Aizwal newspapers. I wanted to know more about the poet
and enquired if I could get English and/or Hindi translation of his
poems. Unfourtunately I could find none. I think Mizoram Governemnt
should get his poems translated into English and or Hindi to begin with
and then to other languages.
Tailpiece
Mizoram is a dry state. Sale and consumption of liquor is
prohibited. But as somebody remarked, it is the wettest dry state in the
country.
***
The author teaches journalism and writes fiction. He lives at
Paniohala hill valley in Dhenkanal, Odisha. His latest novel Kandhei
(The Doll) has just been published. He can be contacted at
mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com
- See more at: http://orissadiary.com/ShowOriyaColumn.asp?id=48298#sthash.a5v3UxVB.dpuf
