Wangsam Zongsam and Thajam Aboh conferred the Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award 202

 

Itanagar, Jun 1: The Arunachal Pradesh Literacy Society (APLS) on Saturday celebrated the 84th birth anniversary of 'Sahitya Surya' Lummer Dai at the late novelist's residence at Prem Nagar, Naharlagun with a day-long programme.
Born on June 1, 1940 at Siluk village in East Siang district, Lummer Dai, an Adi by birth and a leading light in the world of Assamese literature, since his student days, started writing in magazines and newspapers in Assam highlighting folk culture and stories of people of Arunachal Pradesh, besides writing highly enlightening editorials in the state’s first newspaper ‘Echo of Arunachal’.
Regarded as the doyen of Arunachal Pradesh journalism and literature, late Dai has many literary milestones to his credit. Prominent among his works are ‘Udayachalar Sadhu’ published by the Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1959, ‘Paharor Shile Shile’ (1960-61), ‘Prithivir Hanhi’ (1962-63), which was published by Assam Publication Board. These were followed by ‘Mon Aru Mon’ (1965) and ‘Koinar Mulya’ (1975-76) and ‘Upar Mahal’, his last novel published in 2003.
Paying rich tribute to ‘Luminous’ Lummer Dai, whom he used to call ‘kokaideu’ (elder brother), APLS president, Padmashree awardee YD Thongchi recalled his close relationship with the late writer, and revealed that drawing great inspiration from Dai’s creative writings, he started writing novels.
“When Lummer Dai can write novels on his own tribe, on the ethos, traditions and the background of his society, I thought why cannot I write. I can also write – that thought came to me,” Thonghchi said.
The Sahitya Akademi Award-winning writer, whose mother tongue is Sherdukpen which does not have its written script, said he started writing in Assamese language as it was the medium of instruction during NEFA days, and gave the Assamese readers several hits including ‘Mauna Ounth Mukhor Hriday’ (Silent Lips, Murmuring Hearts), ‘Shaw Kota Manuh’, ‘Moi Akou Janam Lom’, ‘Papor Pukhuri’, ‘Banh Foolar Gondha’, etc.
On the occasion, APLS chief Thongchi announced that two veteran writers Wangsam Zongsam and Thajam Aboh have been selected jointly for the conferment of the ‘Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award 2024’.
Instituted in the year 2016, the coveted award, which is generally presented on the occasion of Lummer Dai’s birthday, will be conferred to them in a special award ceremony on a later convenient date, informed Thongchi while extending his hearty congratulations to both the award winners. 
Speaking on the occasion, Director of Land Management, Mamata Riba while paying tribute to the pioneering literary figure of Arunachal Pradesh, said that late Dai has made each and every village of Arunachal known to the people of Assam and the world outside.
She also said that the late Dai was a social reformer and dedicated his life to exploring new things. Starting from writing to his official responsibilities, late Dai dedicated his life to journalism too. “He had a very good relationship with my late father Tomo Riba and whenever they met each other they always talked about the social issues of the state,” Riba recalled.
Retired IAS officer Hage Kojeen, in his keynote address, highlighted the life and achievements of the late litterateur Dai. He said that through his literary writings in Assamese language, late Dai promoted brotherhood and harmony among the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. His creative writings exposed the hidden land to the outside world.
“Late Dai was more popular in Assam than his native state Arunachal Pradesh for enriching the world of Assamese literature through his creative writings,” Kojeen said.
Earlier, the dignitaries and members of the apex literacy body led by its president Y D Thongchi paid floral tributes to late Dai at his memorial 'Punya Sthal' and his bust in his Prem Nagar residential compound. 
On the occasion, the APLS president handed over copies of the books ‘Lummer Dai: Makers of Indian Literature’, Heart to Heart (English version of Late Dai’s novel ‘Mon Aru Mon’ translated by Thongchi himself) and a royal cheque for Heart to Heart received from the publisher Purvanchal Prakash to Nanni Dai.
Late Dai’s birth anniversary was also celebrated in his birthplace Siluk.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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