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Mizo literature

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mizo literature is the literature written in Mizo ṭawng, the principal language of the Mizo peoples, which has both written and oral traditions. It has undergone a considerable change in the 20th century. The language developed mainly from the Lushai language, with significant influence from Pawi language, Paite language and Hmar language, especially at the literary level.[1]

Pre-Christianisation period

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This period of Mizo (written) literature usually refers to the period between 1860 and 1894.[2] Although the Mizo alphabet proper was created around May 1894, written Mizo literature can be said to start from the publication of Progressive Colloquial Exercises in the Lushai Dialect by Thangliana (which is the Mizo name of Thomas Herbert Lewin) in 1874. In this book he wrote down two Mizo folktales Chemtatrawta and Lalruanga leh Kungawrhi with their English translations, and included some Mizo words with their English meaning.[3]

Early period

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This is the period between 1894 and 1920, when most of the literary work was produced by the missionaries. Mizo alphabet was created in 1894, and schools were established soon after the creation of Mizo alphabet. On 22 October 1896 the first Mizo language book was published under the title Mizo Zir Tir Bu (lit. Mizo primer). This was a book on Christian religion and morality based on Christianity.

The two Christian missionaries J.H. Lorrain (Pu Buanga) and F.W. Savidge (Sap Upa) started translating the book of gospel according to Luke on 21 August 1895. They went on to translate the gospel according to John, and the two books were printed and published in 1898. Other books were also translated soon after. Some of the most well-known books published during this period were:

  1. Isua chanchin (1905)
  2. Isua hnenah lo kal rawh (1905-6)
  3. Thu inchhang (1908)
  4. The Lushai Grammar and Dictionary (1898, by J.H. Lorrain)
  5. Dictionary of Lushai (J.H. Lorrain)

A number of devotional songs were translated by other missionaries who replaced J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge, such as Edwin Rowlands etc.[3]

Middle period

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The middle period of Mizo literature (1920–1970) saw the rise of prominent writers such as Liangkhaia, who published hundreds of articles in the monthly Kristian Tlangau and authored Mizo chanchin (in two volumes) which contained, besides a coherent treatment of Mizo history, a number of ancient chants and festive songs which he collected from various sources. Besides this, he and his close friends collected various other ancient Mizo poems, publishing it under a single volume Zoram kan lo luh hma Pawi rama kan la awm lai leh Zoram luh tirh vela chhuak ṭante. It contains various Chai hla, Hlado, Zai and a number of Hla. This collection is one of the most reliable sources of knowledge for ancient Mizo poetry[4]

Authors during this period are usually referred to as Hranghluite in Mizo culture.

Poetry

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Awithangpa

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One of the best known Mizo language poets, Awithangpa (1885–1965) (whose real name is Hmarlûtvunga) was active during this period. The beautiful, innovative expressions he used in his poems are now generally thought by most to be part of Mizo poetic language since time immemorial, although he was the first to use them and were in fact mostly his own coinage. Examples include expressions such as ram loh, chohar di etc. The great reputation of his zai (poems) among Mizo people can be judged from the fact that, although his poems were not initially recorded in writing, when Mizo littérateurs later tried to collect and record his poems, people still remembered most of his poems and could still recite them in full.[5]

Prose

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Well-known writers during this period include Nuchhungi Renthlei (1914–2002), and Lalthangfala Sailo, who got Padma Shri award in Literature in 1986 and 2009 respectively. L. Biakliana (1918–1941), who wrote the first Mizo novel Hawilopari, Kaphleia (1910–1940), C. Ṭhuamluaia (1922–1959), K.C. Lalvunga, J. F. Laldailova, Siamkima Khawlhring etc.[6]

Modern period

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Books

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This period of Mizo literature starts in 1970 and continues to the present. The Mizo Academy of Letters started awarding its Book of the Year in 1989. The academy also awards lifetime achievement in Mizo literature. Some of the most prominent writers during this period are James Dokhuma (1932–2008), Khawlkungi (1927-2015), B. Lalthangliana (1945- ), Siamkima Khawlhring (1938–1992), Ralte L. Thanmawia (1954- ), C. Laizawna (1959- ), Laltluangliana Khiangte (1961- ), Lalzuahliana (1962- ), Vanneihtluanga (1959- ), Mafaa Hauhnar (1975-2018), Lalzuia Colney (Padma Shri awardee) etc.

Mizo Book of the Year award recipients[7][8]
Year Book Author Comments on the book
1989 Ka Lungkham B. Lalthangliana Literature
1990 Hmangaihzuali C. Laizawna Novel
1991 Zoram Khawvel-I Lalthlamuong Keivom Contemporary Mizo history
1992 Ṭhangthar Taitesena Romawia Novel
1993 Mizo Literature B. Lalthangliana Literature
1994 Kum za Kristian Zofate hmabâk Bangalore Mizo Christian Fellowship Collection
1995 Ram leh i tan chauh H. Lallungmuana Novel
1996 Bible leh Science P.C. Biaksiama Creationism
1997 Pasalṭha Khuangchera Laltluangliana Khiangte Drama
1998 Anita C. Laizawna Novel
1999 Tlawm ve lo Lalnu Ropuiliani Lalsangzuali Sailo Mizo history
2000 Chawngmawii leh Hrangchhuana R. Rozika Novel
2001 Ka khualzin kawng Robuanga
2002 Runlum Nuthai L. Z. Sailo Eulogy
2003 Kan Bible hi Zairema Theology
2004 Zorinpari H. Lalngurliani Novel
2005 Damlai thlipui Lalhriata Novel
2006 Pasalṭhate ni hnuhnung C. Lalnunchanga Historical adventure novel
2007 Zofate zinkawngah R. Zamawia Factual description and idealisation of Mizo uprising
2008 Chun chawi loh Lalhriata Novel
2009 Rintei zùnléng Lalrammawia Ngente Novel
2010 Beiseina Mittui Samson Thanruma Novel
2011 Zodinpuii (posthumously awarded) Lalchhantluanga Novel
2012 Sihlipui Romuanpuii Zadeng Novel
2013 Thinglubul Lalpekkima Novel
2014 Ka Zalenna B. Lalhriattira Essay Collection
2015 Kawlkil piah Lamtluang C. Lalnunchanga Fantasy Novel
2016 Aizawlah Aizawler Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte Contemporary Social Essays
2017 Savun Kawrfual Lalhmingchhuanga Zote Novel
2018 Hringnun Hrualhrui Mafaa Hauhnar Articles
2019 Falung Lalengzauva Novel
2020 Eng nge i zawn? Rema Chhakchhuak Novel
2021 Hnam Ropuite Tho R'u Le Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte Novel
2022 Daidanna Bang Phêna Thuruk Dr. Zohmangaihi Novel
2023 Pangparhnima Amangaihi Khiangte Novel

Newspapers

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The Mizoram Press Information Bureau lists some twenty Mizo daily newspapers just in Aizawl city, as of March 2013.[9] The following list gives some of the most well-known newspapers published in the Mizo language.

Name of newspaper Publication frequency Editor Place
Chhawkhlei Daily Lalhmingliana Champhai
Chhawrpial Daily C.Lalzamlova Aizawl
Chhim Aw Daily Baitha Saiha
Chhinlung Daily Vanhnuna Lunglei
Dumde Daily F. Lalbiakmawia (Fam) Champhai
Harhna Daily C.Vulluaia Aizawl
Hnamdamna Daily Chawngchhuma Lunglei
Hruaitu Arsi Daily Zosangliana Aizawl
Khawpui Aw Daily Zaithankhuma Aizawl
Laisuih Daily C.Lalhminghlua Serchhip
Lengzem chanchinbu Monthly Vanneihtluanga Aizawl
Lenkawl Daily Remmawia Kawlni Serchhip
Lenrual Daily Lalhlupuia Champhai
Pasaltha Daily Lalhmingmawia Pachuau Champhai
Ramlai Arsi Daily Lalremruata Ralte Serchhip
Rihlipui Daily DK Lalhruaitluanga Champhai
Romei Daily Robert Lalchhuana Aizawl
Thu Thar Daily A.Rodingliana Aizawl
Turnipui Daily S.Lalhmachhuana Kolasib
The Zozam Times Daily H.Laldinmawia Aizawl
Vanglaini chanchinbu,[10] Daily K. Sapdanga Aizawl
Zalen Daily Vanlalrema Vantawl Aizawl
Zawlbuk Aw Daily Hranghmingthanga Thenzawl
Zoram Thlirtu Daily Lalrinmawia Sailo Aizawl
Zoram Tlangau Daily L.Pachuau Aizawl
Zorin Daily Lalkunga Aizawl

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lalthangliana, B., 'Mizo tihin ṭawng a nei lo' tih kha
  2. ^ Chawngthu, Tluanga, Mizo thuhlaril hmasawn dan part -I
  3. ^ a b Khiangte, Laltluangliana, Thuhlaril, 2nd Edition, 1997.
  4. ^ Lalthangliana, B., Mizo literature. Second edition, copyright 2004, MC Lalrinthanga.
  5. ^ Chawngthu, Tluanga, Mizo thuhlaril hmasawn dan - Part 2
  6. ^ Chawngthu, Tluanga, Mizo thuhlaril hmasawn dan - Part 4
  7. ^ Vanglaini, 24 April 2012
  8. ^ Vanglaini, 22 April 2014.
  9. ^ "See the website". Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Vanglaini – Mizo Daily Since 1978". vanglaini.org. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
Others
  • Khiangte, Laltluangliana, Mizo lehkhabu zempui (A compendium of Mizo bibliography), published by Mizo department of Mizoram University, 2005.
  • Khiangte, Laltluangliana, Lehkhabu Ramtiam, L.T.L. Publications, Aizawl, 1993.
  • Mizo Academy of Letters, Zo kalsiam, Aizawl, 1997.
  • Vanlawma, R., Awithangpa, Aizawl, 1989.
  • Lalthangliana, B. (Editor), Mizo hla leh a phuahtute, Hrangbana College, Aizawl. First edition 1999.

Further reading

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  • Khiangte, Laltluangliana, Mizo drama: origin, development, and themes. Cosmo Publications, 1993.
  • Zoramdinthara, Dr., Mizo Fiction: Emergence and Development. Ruby Press & Co. 2013. ISBN 978-93-82395-16-4