Soaring Wings

By LALTLUANGLIANA KHIANGTE

Mizo literature as product of a contact with the Christian world during the British rule has come a long way to be recognised as a fast evolving literature. This is made possible by the hard works of the missionaries, followed by the first generation English educated Mizo Christians, and with due recognition and incentives provided by the state.

In their legendary parchment, the forefathers of the Mizos claimed that they had recorded something in black and white, which however, was eaten up by a stray hungry dog since it was carelessly kept in the porch. So, there was no writing that can be read before the advent of the British in the last part of the nineteenth century. The language has been codified by the two pioneer missionaries, namely Sap-upa (F.W. Savidge) and Pu-Buanga (J.H. Lorrain) who had landed in a small hamlet near Sairang by the bank of the river Tlawng, in the chilly winter of 11th January 1894. Since they did not have any servant, they were considered as sap vakvai (wandering white men) and they were not considered as those authoritative British who came to the land before them. Since they have been familiar with Mizo language from the book prepared by Thomas Herbert Lewin (1839–1916), they began making full form of Mizo alphabet before preaching any of the good news.

It was twenty years before they arrived on the land, Lewin, the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Hill Tracts, whom the Mizos dearly called as Thangliana, had written so many Mizo words and published a few informative books. In one of his books named A colloquial Exercises in the Lushai Dialect of the Dzo or Kuki Language with Vocabularies and Popular Tales published in 1874, he had written a good number of Mizo words including three folk tales of the tribe. It seems that this book is the first ever written document on the Lushai (Mizo) language. It may be a little presump-tuous to claim the existence of any Mizo literature prior to that year, i.e. 1874. Thangliana wrote several books that include Progressive Exercises in Lushai Grammar (London), The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and Dwellers Therein (Calcutta 1869), Wild Races of South Eastern India (London 1870), and A fly on the Wheel (London 1912). In 1884, Assistant Surgeon Brojo Nath Shaha, a Civil Medical Officer of Chittagong, published an important book called Grammar of the Lushai Language. However, this particular book could not be found for reference.

Commenting on these pioneering written works, Lorrain wrote that he and his colleague Savidge found them extremely useful in their early efforts to learn words and phrases, but neither of them pretended to suggest a mode of literation which could be taught to the Lushais. Lorrain further pointed out in his introductory note: “It therefore, fell to our lot to reduce the language to writing in such a way that our system could be readily adopted by the people themselves. For this purpose we chose the simple Roman script, with a phonetic form of spelling based on the well-known Hunterian system, and this, with slight emendations adopted since, is still used through-out the tribe with eminently satisfactory results.” Besides these two books, one British Officer C.A. Soppith compiled Rangkhol-Kuki-Lushai Grammar (1885) and a few other material of relevant subject had also been published. All these efforts paved the way towards more systematic efforts by the missionaries.

PROSE WORKS/THEOLOGY/TEXT BOOKS, ETC.

Looking back the formation period, the two pioneering missionaries of London based Arthington Mission, Lorrain and Savidge left to the Mizos valuable documents during their first four years stay (1894–97) in Mizoram. The first known book in Mizo called Mizo zir tirna Bu (A Lushai Primer) was published on 22nd October 1895. Then they revised as Zirtanbu (Primer) and then Zawhna leh Chhanna (Questions and Answers) in 1896. They prepared text books for elementary schools from which beginners made their effort to learn reading and writing.

Then they put earnest effort to the translation of the Bible. They started with the Gospel of St. Luke on the 21st August 1895, followed by the Gospel of St. John and then the Acts. First of all, they started with the translation of St. Luke Chapter 15, Verses 11 to 32 into Lushai (Dulien dialect, as recorded by them) the parable of Jesus Christ about the Prodigal Son and the first copy was sent to their friend Parteous on 5th February 1896. The two gospels were published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1898. Again, the year 1898 saw the publication of Lorrain’s great work, Grammar and Dictionary of the Lushai Language by the Assam Government.

Other important written works like, Mizo leh Vai Thon Thu of 1898, as collected and printed by Tarmita (J. Shakepear); translation of the Gospel of Luke from the Bible by Pu Buanga and Sapupa, which they started on the 1st of August 1896; Gospel of John translated and published by British and Foreign Bible Society in 1898; Acts of the Apostles published in 1899 and the first Christian Hymn book (Hla bu) printed in 1899 were among the first few books that Mizos had in hand before the turn of the 21st century.

The Welsh Missionaries (namely Zosaphluia, D.E. Jones and Zosapthara, Edwin Rowlands) had taken up the difficult task of teaching, preaching, translating, writing, composing and compiling books after the pioneering missionaries Savidge and Lorrain left in 1897. They found that the publication of Christian literature helped to convey the message of Christianity to the Mizos. So, with the help of some early Khasi Christians who were working in the Government offices and the first group of Mizo literates; the missionaries could produce a number of literatures within a short period of time. Besides, those publications mentioned earlier, a school textbook called, Zirtirbu Thar (new Primer) was compiled in 1899. It contains moral and religious lessons and some articles on General Knowledge. With the help of early-educated Christians of the tribe, several textbooks and other relevant books have been written, translated and prepared in a published form by the missionaries during 1900 to 1930.

TRANSLATIONS/JOURNALS/HISTORY, ETC.

Following the publication of various textbooks for schools and the Bible in Mizo, a good number of translated Christian Hymns were published which the new literates appreciated with all their hearts. Then came the Mizo version of The Pilgrim’s Progress (1910) translated by the Chuautera and The Story of the Bible (1909) translated by the Challiana, which remained two of the most readable books, apart from the Bible, among Mizo literature for a long time.

Having been exposed to the world of literature, the need for publication of things common and secular was soon felt. The first Mizo journal of a sort called Mizo Chanchin Laishuih (The Highlander’s News) was published in 1898, most probably in the month of July. It was a hand-written cyclostyled tabloid. It featured local news of different villages, folk tales of the tribe and conveyed the orders of the Government to various chiefs. It was a miracle for most people that something can be read from the white sheet of paper.

A monthly journal Mizo leh Vai Chanchin Lehkhabu was published by the then Superintendent of Lushai Hills, J. Shakespear in November 1902. Interestingly, contributors to this journal were the first educated Mizos (three chiefs) who were held in high esteem by the people. Then came the Kristian Tlangau, edited by R. Dala, a monthly mouthpiece of the Presbyterian Church Mission from Aizawl, which has been published without any break since October 1911 till today.

Other magazines are Sipai Tlangau by Salvation Army from 1931; Tlawmngaihna in 1934 by the “Rover Scout” group of Baptist Mission Serkawn; Kohhran Beng – a monthly newspaper by Baptist Mission Lunglei started in 1947; LSA Chanchinbu by Lushai Student Association started in September 1938 (later renamed MZP Chanchinbu); Tun Hapta Kar Chanchin started in September 1939 by Liankhuma; the first known daily newspaper of Mizoram – Ni tin Chanchin by D.C. McCall in 1939; Zoram Thupuan started on 6th December 1947 by the United Mizo Freedom Organization; Mizo Arsi started in 1948 by H.K. Bawihchhuaka to benefit Mizo Union Party. Apart from these, religious books, travelogues, prose, essays and stories were also published before 1950. Several dailies, bi-weeklies, fortnightlies, and monthly magazines have been circulated with-in and outside Mizoram. In 2001–02, there were fifty-eight approved newspapers according to Statistical Handbook 2002, Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

Many other newspapers and journals have come up since then. Amongst those, the ones that have contributed most to the development of Mizo literature are those of the old MZP Chanchinbu (a publication of Mizo Students Union), Meichher (a publication of Adult Education Wing), Thu leh hla, a mouthpiece of the Mizo Academy of Letters.

Apart from the contributions of the church and other organisations, the first important individual work is the History of Mizos by the Pastor Liangkhaia, which he completed in 1926. It is a competition manuscript with which he won the first prize in the first ever writing competition held in the land. The book was published in two volumes. The first part of Mizo Chanchin (Mizo History) was published in 1938 and the second part in 1947. Apart from this book, Liangkhaia had written and published over thirty books and also contributed over hundred articles in different journals before his death in 1979. He has undoubtedly made great contribution in the field of sacred hymn, poetry and prose writing. In addition, he had translated twelve books of English Bible into Mizo language within two years (1947–49) as he was rightly engaged as the first full time literature worker by the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram.

HYMNS/SONGS/POEMS, ETC.

With the coming of the gospel in the hills, the first two missionaries translated and re-composed a few Christian hymns/songs from 1894 onwards. With the help of the new converts, several hymns were translated by the missionaries one after another. Amongst them, the literary works of Zosapthara (Edwin Rowlands) was commendable for his tireless efforts for the preparations of School textbooks, Christian guidebook and in the production of sacred hymns. He has almost a hundred songs/poems to his credit.

Many composition of Christian literature appeared right from the turn of the 20th century from the hands of early Christians and that of missionaries. When we look at closely, Awithang-pa and Elder Thanga started composing poems and songs in the beginning of the 21st century, followed by the Liangkhaia. This trend was followed by hymn writers like L. Siamliana, R.L. Kamlala, Hrawva, and Damhauhva.

Three poets-cum-song writers namely L. Biakliana, Kaphleia and Lalzuithanga appeared in the scene in 1930s. They were all novelist as well. Laltanpuia, V. Hawla, Romani and others started composing song in the thirties. In the southern part of Mizoram, song writers like Lalmama, Liandala, Chhuana, Rokunga Khiangte, F. Rokima, Nuchhungi and others contributed a great deal. From 1940s, several poets, song writer, hymn writers like P.S. Chawngthu, Rokunga, L.Z. Sailo and others began their compositions. Literary composition like poems that are not designed to be sung appeared rather late. K.C. Lalvunga, James Dokhuma, Lalthangfala Sailo, R.L. Thanmawia, Laltluangliana Khiangte, Lalzuahliana, Mafaa Hauhnar and many others contributed in the enrichment of Mizo secular poetry and devotional songs.

NOVEL/SHORT STORY/NOVELLETE, ETC.

A study of the contemporary Mizo literature reveals considerable maturity and depth from 1930s onwards as poets and writers have been producing works of lasting value on secular subjects. The first Mizo novel, Hawilopari was written by L. Biakliana (1918–41) appeared in the year 1936. The same novelist wrote a short story called Lali in 1937. The third Mizo novel, Chhingpuii, a romantic tragedy was written by Kaphleia in 1939. The two pioneer novelists L. Biakliana and Kaphleia wrote and circulated weekly news namely Chhura Chanchin while suffering as TB patient in Durtlang Hospital. Chronologically speaking, these three novels were the only novels written before 1940.

Then, the ghostly fictions, Thlahrang and Phira leh Ngurthanpari were written by Lalzuithanga, son of Chawnghnuaia. He was a romantic tragedian born on 16th April 1916 and died on the 28th September 1950. Lalzuithanga also wrote a number of other short stories, namely, Aukhawk Lasi, Khawfing Chat, Eng dan nge ni, Eng nge Pawi? These were already printed in a book-form.

C. Khuma (Challiankhuma) an Army Officer serving in Burma wrote the tragic love story called Maymyo Sanapui in 1946. It was published by the Burma Lushai Association in 1950. This tragedy was perhaps the first Mizo fiction ever printed and published outside Mizoram. The author has also written other short stories like, Hmangaih thiamna, Fahrah nun, Phu loh Zunleng and Chhingkhual Lungdi.

One of the most popular novels Thla hleinga Zan was written by James Dokhuma. He has written a number of fictions, viz. Good Bye Lushai Brigade, Rinawmin, Irrawaday Luikamah, Tumpangchal nge Saithangpuii, Hmangaihna Thuchah, Kymoto Synora, Silaimu ngaihawm, etc. and other books. In 1977, Khawlkungi wrote the Christian love story called Zawlpala Thlan tlang, winning story-writing competition organised by Central Kristian Thalai Pawl. She also wrote a number of other stories like A Tlai lutuk ta, Sangi Rinawmna, Fahrah Nun, Pasal Duhthlan, etc. and she happened to be a playwright as well.

An Indian Foreign Service officer and a former Indian Ambassador, K.C. Lalvunga, also known as Zikpuii-pa, wrote novels like C.C. Coy No. 27, Silvarthangi, Hostel Awmtu, Kraws bulah chuan, and Nunna Kawng Thuampuiah. Zikpuii-pa was also a well-known essayist and poet.

A number of fictional works appeared in the 1980s and 1990s. Lalengmawia Ralte wrote about seven fictions and C. Laizawna also wrote more than ten novels. Other novelists like Lalhriata (Khualzin Nula), H. Lallungmuana (Ram leh I tan chauh and Hmangaih Zoramthangi), and C. Remtluanga (Fate Nu Atan etc.), Khawlkungi (Zawlpala thlan tlang & others), L.Z. Sailo (Winner of Book of the year award, Runlum Nuthai and others), Lalhmingliana Saiawi (Lungrang Laiawrha & others), H. Lalngurliani (Winner of Book of the year award) and many others made valuable contributions to Mizo literature. There are as many as 500 (approx) novels and short stories have been preserved in printed form till today.

DRAMA/SHORT PLAY/MORALITY PLAYS, ETC.

The root of the Mizo drama began with the celebration of the grandest Christian festival in the land, that is Christmas. The missionaries and a few native speakers celebrated Christmas day in 1903 by entertaining children and giving them a special feast. It later turned out to be a yearly activity. In 1912, Christmas day was celebrated in most of the villages with grand feast. That Christmas day will be remembered in the history of Mizo drama, because in the evening of this very day, the first ever dramatic performance was held in the small thatched-roofed theatre of Thakthing Veng. With the initiative of the missionaries, the most successful function of variety show was conducted for the first time.
The first Mizo dramatic performances had strong moral content. The effect of the religious teaching was great. It closed the early Christmas entertainments in the Church. The immediate result was the emergence of secular drama. About this time, Ch. Pasena (1893–1961), who had Diploma in Education from London came back to Aizawl in 1925. In those days, the people were strongly attracted to the Puja Variety Show of Bengali babus at Babutlang (Officer’s Complex) and the Nataak (Live performance) of Ist Assam Rifles Regiment at Drill Shed in Aizawl. The time was ripe for theatrical revival, which had faded as a result of spiritual awakening. Pasena came forward to stir-up the latent dramatic instinct of the people. His participation in the dramatic art suited the time, for he was a free mixer with all sorts of people. Pasena was trusted by the natives; also an advantage for foreigners who come to Mizoram. Between 1925 and 1933, Pasena prepared and directed six extempore dramatic performances, which were staged in Sikulpui Hall, the popular name for Boys’ Middle English School at Mission Veng, Aizawl. All these dramas were enacted not only for entertainment but also for moral lessons. His first dramatic show, Heroda Chawimawina (King Herod’s Glory), a tragedy was staged in 1925 at Sikulpui Hall by the actors of Mission Veng.

There were several other dramatists like Lalkailuia, Chawngzika, Lalzuithanga, Lalmama, L. Biakliana, and Lalhmuaka who made good contribution to the development of Mizo drama. The flowering period arrived with the publication of Sangi Inleng by Lalthangfala Sailo (b.1933) in the early part of 1960s. L.F. Sailo has written and published almost ten plays, some of which has been prescribed as texts in the school and degree level courses. A recipient of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2007, Sailo made a good contribution to Mizo drama since 1959.

The writer of this paper (Laltluangliana Khiangte, an Awardee of Padma Shri in Literature in 2006) may be considered as one of the major playwrights who made contributions for the development of Mizo drama in a variety of ways. As a playwright, he has written more than thirty plays, of which seventeen are published in different volumes. His first play, Thupha ka rawn chawie (1982) was written and staged in Shillong. Out of his seventeen plays published so far, Pasaltha Khuangchera (a collection of three plays) has been awarded the Book of the Year 1997, i.e. the book was chosen as the best out of 115 books newly published in 1997. His other play, Lalnu Ropuiliani has won the first Prize in the State Level drama writing competition in 1990, organised by the Art & Culture Department, Govt. of Mizoram. One of his plays, Chanchintha Meichher (1993) was used as an official script of drama that had been staged in every village of Mizoram as one item of celebration in the Gospel Centenary in 1994. Some of his plays have been translated and acted in Hindi and broadcasted in Delhi Doordarshan and other channels. He has also been awarded to Distinguished Playwright Award, Rastriya Lok Bhasha Samman and Bharat Adivasi Samman for his valuable contributions, especially in the field of drama.

There are several other playwrights who had contributed a great deal to the field. Playwrights like Lalhmuaka (1915–2001), H. Lalsiama (1909–83), Khawlkungi (b.1927), James Dokhuma (1932–2007), K. Saibela (b.1936), Liansailova (b.1949), Lalsangzuala (b.1951), H.K.R. Lalbiakliana, C. Laizawna and some younger dramatists made commendable contributions to the development of Mizo drama. According to my record, by the end of the 20th century and the close of the second millennium, over a hundred fifty plays have been published in the Mizo language. So, there is a good scope of research in the field of drama, an opportunity to improve and enrich Mizo literature through making use of various dramatic performances.

ESSAY/ARTICLES/CRITICAL WRITINGS/RESEARCH WORKS, ETC.

If we turn our attention to other prose writings, like essays, critical and research works, the contribution of essayists like Kaphleia, C. Thuamluaia, Zikpuii-pa, J. Malsawma, Siamkima Khawlhring, James Dokhuma, Dengchhuana, Darchhawna, L. Khiangte, etc. may be considered for critical examination. Then comes critical writing in the form of book review and literary criticism. Research scholars of Mizo language and literature have now explored the wide ranges and prospects of research field for younger research scholars, students and outside investigators. Mizo scholars, writers and journalists are continuously publishing essays and articles in various journals and books. It will not be inappropriate to conclude that the Mizo prose work is increasing in a large scale through hundreds of newspapers, bulletins and magazines, etc. published fortnightly, monthly, bi-annually and annually. And the Mizos may possibly be considered to be one of the richest in having a variety of newspapers, journals and magazines viewed in proportion to the population of the region.

CONCLUDING NOTE

No sufficient justice can be done to describe the spurt of literature which has come up in the recent years without a full length study. Suffice it to say, that the literary award given to the Liangkhaia, the multi-faceted prolific writer, by the Mizo Academy of Letters in 1979, and Padma Shri Award to James Dokhuma on literature (1985) by the President of India, confirms that, given the opportunity and necessary patronage, the door is open now for massive development of Mizo literature. At present, as many as ten writers (James Dokhuma 1985, Nuchhungi 1986, Khawlkungi 1987, R.K. Lalhluna 1989, R. Vanlawma 1998, Lalsangzuali Sailo 1998, P.S. Chawngthu 1999, Darchhawna 2005, Laltluangliana Khiangte 2006, L.Z. Sailo 2007) bagged the Padma Award in literature, and eight writers (Liangkhaia 1979, James Dokhuma 1985, P.S. Chawngthu 1992, K.C. Lalvunga 1995, Khawlkungi 1998, J. Malsawma 2001, Darchhawna 2004, B. Lalthangliana 2007) have been awarded the Academy Award in literature, and this may be considered as the highest state award in the field of language & literature.

The greatest impediments to the growth of Mizo literature is lack of fund for printing of books in a large scale. In the small community of the Mizos, the number of books that can be sold is very small. Publication of a literary work, unless it happens to be a text book or supported by the government or church body, is a losing proposition which no individual writer can afford. There is, at the moment a great interest in the development of literature which is evident from the number of manuscripts and cyclostyled copies lying with individual writers. If only there could be an agency of the Government that could assist in the publication of works of literary value, it would be a monumental contribution for the growth of Mizo literature and the society. The Mizoram Publication Board Bill, 1993, has been quite effective ensuring the publication of more than 200 new books with 75 per cent assistance given by the Board.

In spite of all these problems, the Mizo Academy of Letters, knowing the increasing number of published works in various genres of literature, started selecting “The Book of the Year” since 1989. The best book in Mizo language and literature was awarded Book of the Year Award – a small cash incentive and a citation of honour. It is clear from the record that the Mizo literature has been greatly developed and a large number of books (100 to 200) are published every year. Today, the Mizos have a good number of poems, plays, essays, novels, articles, critical reviews and other prose works which are to be translated into different languages of the world and to be circulated outside the state of Mizoram.

NOTES & REFERENCES:

1. Lorrain, James Herbert, “Introduction,” Dictionary of the Lushai (Language), Calcutta: The Asiatic Society, 1983.

2. Liangkhaia, “Origin of the Mizo,” Mizo Chanchin, Part – I, Aizawl: Zoram Printing Press, 1948.

3. Hminga, C.L., The Life and Witness of the Churches in Mizoram, Lunglei: The Literature Committee, Baptist Church of Mizoram, 1987.

4. Khiangte, Laltluangliana, Lehkhabu Ramtiam, Aizawl: L.T.L. Publications, 1993.

5. Khiangte, Laltluangliana,Thuhlaril: Literary Trends & History of Mizo Literature, Aizawl, 1995.

6. Khiangte, Mizo Songs and Folk Tales, New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 2002.

7. Khiangte, Biakliana Robawm, Aizawl: L.T.L. Publications, 1996 (revised and enlarged in 2007).

8. Khiangte, Mizo Drama: Origin, Development & Themes, New Delhi: Cosmo Publications, 1993.

9. Khiangte, Thanmawia, R.L., Mizo Poetry, Aizawl: Din Din Heaven Publication, 1998.

10.Tlanghmingthanga, Zorimawi-Music: Ministry of the Mizos, Aizawl: L.T.L. Publications, 1994.

11. History of Literature, Linguistic Survey of India. Also glossary and books on Mizo history, culture, and other materials & unpublished manuscripts of L.T.L. Library & Archives, B–43, Mission Veng, Aizawl, Mizoram.