The Department of English in collaboration with IQAC, Baptist College organised the 5th edition of the Literature Fest on 29th October, 2022 under the theme, Learning Spaces, which aims to bring together renowned writers, literary experts, thinkers, politicians, and artists from varied industries like art, music, film etc. on a single platform to share ideas and engage in a meaningful debate. The day long event saw a host of activities like the Book Fest, Poetry Workshop, Role Play, Book Exchange, Food Stall, Art Gallery, Short Story Writing Competition, Charity Counter, Reading Club, Film Screening, Stage Plays and Enactment, Historical Narration, Spoken Word Poetry, TED Talk on entrepreneurship, awareness on constitutional rights etc. with a host of judges, resource persons and invitees from various areas of expertise.
As part of the Literature Fest, 2022, a film-screening event was organized where eminent local film makers Ms. Sesino Yhoshü of Take One Production and Mr. Chentei Khiamniungan, independent documentary filmmaker screened their films “The Finish Line,” “The Rock Bee- The Last Honey Hunter,” and “Just Like Our Grandmothers.” These films explore the intersection of sports and culture which provides a captivating lens into the human experience. These films exemplify how the fusion of sports and culture can create compelling narratives transcending the boundaries of the playing field to explore the complexities of the human condition.
“The Rock Bee-The Last Honey Hunter”– is a film by Mr. Chentei Khiamniungan, who loves to tell stories about indigenous people through films. The film talks about the last of the honey hunters of the Khiamniungan tribe of Wui village. The cultural significance of the rock-bee is underscored as Bee wax was historically employed in a barter system with Myanmar, highlighting the inherent cultural exchange within trade relationships. It was also used as an ingredient in artist’s material for weavers. Furthermore, honey played a pivotal role during community feasts and the harvest season, serving as a primary staple food source. Regrettably, this age-old practice is rapidly vanishing.
“Just like Our Grandmothers”- The documentary captures the arduous journey involved in designing the Ellonniu shawl. Ellonniu is the Khiamniungan term for the stinging nettle plant. The fibre extracted from the nettle plant was used to weave clothes during the olden times. This traditional practice is however fading fast. Thus, the documentary endeavors to revive and educate the young generation of the age-old art of weaving.
“The Finish Line”- is a documentary film by Ms. Sesino Yhoshü of two Naga athletes preparing and competing in the South Asian Cross-Country Championship, 2022.