Pedology is a part of an ecological science that deals with the study of soil. In which, determination of soil texture is an important part. Silt, Clay and loam are the three important particles of soil texture. Their concentration in the soil determines the texture and physical quality of a soil. These are some few lines that I could remember from my formal education about clay and other forms of soils.
There can be no other grand welcome for a bambusapiens than a clump of Bambusa spp. at the backyard of the studio
For me, soil is a growth medium. Soil is an anchor. But to many, soil is not just a growth medium nor just an anchor. It is a medium for their expressions.
Mr. Bhim, a traditional potter at work
Everyone knows about pottery. Normally we get our Porcelain and ceramic products from the Mandarin source. And of course, they are normally meant for domestic uses. Hence, pottery, to me, was more of a functional works, than artistry, until I met this couple in Aug. 4, 2017.
An earthen staircase
Being an art follower, my artist friends – John and Kimtea, a Kala Bhavana Alumni along with Thara, took me to Goalpara, a village next to Santiniketan. While returning, we went to the studio of this couple. Their studio and their house were a creation, skillfully crafted, and artistically conceptualized. It would be every artists dream to have such a studio!
Biagio Luca from Italy was training at the studio when we first visited in Aug. 4, 2017. (L-R: Luca, Kimtea, Thara, John and Bityut)
I have been studying, teaching and researching on ecology for quite a few years now. I campaigned for ecological conservation among the teenagers. I used to talk about living in harmony with nature. I used to enjoy camping in the wild, among the bushes and the trees. But never ever have been connected with nature as much as I wished to.
A house of mud and clay, the studio of Mr and Mrs Roy
Here at Boner Pukur Danga, Santiniketan, I met two artist, whom mother nature matched them together perfectly. They draw their inspirations from nature – the trees, the bushes, the grasses and the socio-cultural lifes of the Santhali community. Even though they could easily get their medium through online market, they prefer the materials which nature provided them. They dug the soil, and prepare their medium themselves.
A ceramic studio constructed by using ceramic and producing ceramics
For a 3dimensional art works like ceramics, shapes and forms are the two important elements, in fact the whole concept is influenced by these two elements. Being a nature lover, Bityut and Lipi’s inspirations of forms and figures which they incorporate in their art works are from nature itself.
Nature…
When asked why they live in such an isolated place, “I love the culture, traditions and the lifestyle of the Santhali community. If I lived in their village, I would distract them, so I choose a place where I could see them, where I could witnessed their simple yet riched lifestyle; a place near by them, without disturbing them” Mr. Bityut Roy replied.
Mr. Bityut Roy established the Studio in 1984.
“I am not a trained potter, but a painter. My interest and sources of inspiration is from the nature. My love for fine art and nature brought me here” said Mrs Lippi Biswas.
Mrs Lipi Biswas
Bityut and Lipi tie a knot in 1995. Since then, they have been in this field together. They enjoy what nature had provided them. For them, conservation is a lifestyle.
The entrance of the studio
As you walk into the studio, you can feel the swaying of the trees, the melody of the swirling leaves. It seems like a transect walk in a tropical forest, amidst the fog and the mist, accompanied by a drizzle to turn the mercury down.
Nature being fossilized into art work
You can hear the rippling streams. You can feel the chirping birds that are perching around, the croaking of a toad and the aroma of wild flowers blown by the cool breeze. At one corner, you can hear the rhythm of a Santhali percussion and the melodious tune of the womenfolks. It feels like we are more connected with mother nature.
Mr Jubal, a ceramic artist seriously analyzing the art works
For those of you who love nature and fine art, it is a must to visit the ‘Studio Boner Pukur Danga,’ but you have to be extremely careful not to break those fossils of nature embedded in an art work. And of course, buy from them!
The studio itself is an art work!
My second visit was on May 30, 2018. This time, I was accompanied by my lovely wife Rebecca and Mr. Jubal, a ceramic artist from Kala Bhavana. My wife was so much drawn into those art pieces that she was reluctant to leave!
June thla khan eng engemaw post ka tuma, mahse ka post lo. Ka ziak hman lo a ni. Tunah pawh ka la ziak ta chuanglo a. Engtikah nge ka ziah ang pawh ka hre chuang lo a. Engtak chu nge post ka tum pawh ka hre chuang lo. June thlazet kha chu ka damchhunga ka tawn ropui ber a ni hial awm e. Khatiang kha ka tawng leh tawhin ka inring lo. Heta han sawi tur chi a ni em pawh ka hre thiam lo e –
June thla khan chanchin lawmawm tak kan chhungkuain kan dawnga, Chanchin Tha avangin ka tawn ngailoh ka tawng bawk.
June thla khan ramsa vang êm êm mai, ramsial/sele kah a nih thu a thang chiama, thuneitu te pawhin hma an la zuia, dan bawhchhetu an hling nghal chat mai. Ropui tak a ni. Ka tel vena, BIOCONE (www.biocone.org) pawhin Sorkar hmalakna lawmawm a tih thu leh sorkar a thlawp thu te, dan bawhchhetu te a dem thu te a chhuah bawka. Chutih mek laiin Mizorama phul hmun nuam ber leh lian ber te zinga mi, Sialsuk tlangah tuten emawni thing an lo phun ve mek thung a ni awm a. Sialsuk tlanga phulhmun hi thing han awm khep khupna tura Pathian duan chu a nih loh hmel khawp mai; Tlaizawng leh Vaube an phun a ni awm a. Hman deuh khan pawl pakhat chuan Hmuifangah “Far tiak” an phun chiam tawh bawka. A chang leh ngaw hmun thiata phulhmun siam kan tuma, a chang leh phulhmuna thing phun kan tum leh ang lawia, a awmsa hi kan ngaitheilo viau zel mai chu a ni, eng kan ti zo ta nge mawni?
Artukkhuan (Mirabillis jalapa)
Project Zo-pangpar
Ka thiannu Dr. Saithani’n Mizorama tualto pangpar thlalak min rawn zawt thut maia, ka lo nei mumallo viau lehnghala. Ka ngaihsak tawkloh vang a nih rualin hmuh tur hi a vang ve hrim hrim tawh bawk a ni. A zarah tlem chu ka lakhawm ta hlauha, Mizo pangpar tam zawk par loh lai a nih leh zel avang erawh chuan lakkhawm tam a har viau. Fur laia pangpar thlalak tur zawn chu hmuh tam a har teh e. Mizoramah hian thing leh mau, thlai chi hrang chi engemaw zat kan neia, heng te hi ram tam takah awm velo, an awh ngawih ngawih a ni. A mi chenga te hian hlutna chang kan hre thinloa, ram danga mi kan lalut zela, kan ngaisang êm êm zel zawk mai thin bawk sia, a manganthlak ngawt mai.
Fur pui
Fur lai a ni a, ruah a sur nasaa, lei a mina, tui a lian bawka. Kawngpui chhuat a bala, tlang pang a min a, In a chima, hmun hrang hrangah chhiatna a thleng nasa hle. Mi tam tak tan chuan ‘Furchhia’ a ni a, a runthlak tak zet a ni. Mi eng emawzatin an chenna an chana, an nunna an chan phaha, chungkua a tiavai phah bawka. Inkalpawhna kawng a chhiaa, chakkhai lamna a buai zova.
Furpui hmahruai Ruahthimpui
Fur hi kum tin a thleng thina, pumpelh theih a ni lo. Furpui avanga chhiatna thleng thin tam tak pawh hi pumpelh harsa tak a ni ang. Chhiatna a thlen tam tak tihziaawm dan erawh a awm ngei ang. Inbuatsaihna tha leh ruahmanna felfai awm se chuan kan tawrh hi tun aiin a zia ngei ang. Josefa anga tam laka inven dan ngaihtuah chuak thiam ram hruaitu kan mamawh a ni ta ber awm e.
Wrath of Monsoon. Hunthar Veng leitlahniam (June 13, 2017)
Furchhia han ti thin mah ila fur avanga thlai thar, ei leh bar hmu kan ni miau maia, kan tui tlan lah fur avanga a hna kang chatlo a ni si. Thenkhat tan chhiatna zakhua, sorkar lu ti haitu nimahse, mi tam tak tan, nungcha te tan, thilsiam dang te tan erawh nunna hnar a ni lawi si.
Furah chuan Dingdi (Asclepias curassavica) pawh ama tawk tein a lo vul ve chik cheka, en hnaih poh leh a mawi ting mai a
Thlasik khawvawt leh thal khawroin a hmeh ro, fur ruahtui avang lo hring leh dup thin kan tlangram hian ruah bawhawk a ngam lo zual ta viau mai hi erawh a mi chenga te kan inenfiah a ngai viauin a lang. Khuarel chhiatna kan tih tam tak hi chu a mi chenga ten kan chenna leh a vel kan enkawl uluk loh vang leh kan fimkhur tawk lo vang a thleng tam tak a awm ngei ang, a nih loh vek chuan kan ram hi a chhe ve hrim hrim a ni ang!
He’ng thu hnep hnawl te te hi June thlaa post ka tum zinga mi thenkhat, ka tih mumal takloh te kha a ni ta mai awm mange!
Very often, I have seen Myanmar. Mostly from the hills near the Indo- Myanmar border. But never have I crossed the border and set my feet on. The name Myanmar itself is mysterious. The country has lots of connection with the history of our fore-fathers. Our language is grouped under the Tibeto-Burman family. Our speculations about Myanmar on the other hand, has been influenced by media reports, which are hardly the brighter side. Nothing was clear until I set my foot upon it.
Reverie
Reverie: A rendition of my speculations about Myanmar.
Myanmar, the land of the golden pagoda, has undergone several transformation. The moment I set my foot on Yangon, I can feel that those speculations were negative.
A volunteer named Silas and Eleazar received me at the airport. At first, I thought Eleazar was a cab driver, his dress code was so similar to that of the cab drivers at the airport. He was wearing a ‘Longyi‘ and a panah. Moreover, he doesn’t mention that he’s a pastor.
A panah
A panah, or a slipper in English, like all other South Asian countries is the most prevalent foot wears here in Yangon. And for a guy like me who often think that the invention of a panah, or a silipar or vawthlep in Mizo, is one of the greatest invention, it makes me feel at home…hehe…
Cab driver at Yangon International Airport
The best thing about a panah is its ergonomy. It is easy to wear, easy to take off, easy to dry and easy to clean.
Panah Express
As you stand by the roadside, you can hear the sound of flip-flop there, a flip-flop here. The faster they walk, the pitch of the flip-flop increase.
Adjacent to the Minyekyawswar Street, there’s a narrow, yet busy street. Its dynamism is beyond words. They were so much engaged that a gentleman with a panah on his feet, wearing a sleeveless shirt and a short, with a zenfone3m on his hands, clicking random pictures also seems to remain unnoticed.
An old lady selling a badam on the road-side
The best thing about Yangon is the street food. For a guy like me, who loves a street food and a panah, it is Canaan.
Meat shop
Had they known that a panah express is passing through, these meat monger at the junction of narrow street bazaar would have pose themselves more proper.
A cycle rickshaw on duty
For a cycle-rickshaw driver, a panah is a must. There’s no other foot wear which has a better ergonomic!
panah of the driver, panah for the passenger and panah worn by the passer by
It’s my first time to see a cycle-rickshaw with a pillion rider on its side! Reminds me of a WW II Nazi bike with a side car.
Roadside butcher
For a butcher, a panah is more feasible than other foot wear, and so is, for the lady. The Longyi worn by the lady looks like a Mizo puanzeh, and of course it is complimented by her panah.
Floridale
What I have noticed during my short stay here is their love for flowers. I don’t know to which varieties do those flowers belong, but of course, they belonged to Asteraceae family (of course all the lovely flowers belong there :D). Working in the flower garden is so much a comfort with a pair of panah on the feet.
Nuts and beans
These two ladies were in deep conversation, may be about the panah that I wear. But my flip-flop sound didn’t distract them, either.
A rehab
While all the others were busy with their chores, a young man who seek for inner peace was confessing to the bante. Had it been a pagoda or a gompa, they would have removed their panah.
News stand
As I detour towards my hotel, may be the flip-flop was audible. I was spotted! And it makes me realise that my panah doesn’t support a silent mode!
A revisit
Since it was raining, the fear of my sneaker getting wet was making me in a dilemma, “What if i stay in my room and starve…” Then comes the thought of wearing a black panah which the hotel provided us. It fits me broad feet. The flip-flop sound slightly differs with my own panah. The cushion and the grip are however much much better, pity my old cushion-less panah.
Plastic capping
A quick re-visit in the evening amidst the rain offered me another sneak peek. This lovely little girl was playing in the puddle. She was wearing a plastic bag on her head, may be to avoid getting wet. But on her tiny feet was a pair of tiny panah, that resist water!
Blending yourself into the scene is very effective while performing a street photography. Sometimes, carrying a big camera (DSLR etc) is often distracting to the subject, which often left us unable to make pictures as desired. Cellphone camera have lots of limitations, but sometimes, people are less distracted and it gives more chance of getting an emotional pictures. Being a photographer doesn’t mean that you have to dress and equipped yourself with apparels specially designed for a photographer. Blending into the scene by dressing like the locals is often effective. When the story is more important than the picture quality, cellphone camera is the best option.
Engmah nilo mah ila engemaw nih chu kan tum theuhva; kan chhungte pawhin engemaw ni ve turin mi an duh theuh bawk. ‘Engemaw’ ni ve thei tur chuan nitin thiam zirna Inah min tira, tichuan sikul kai-sikul naupang kan lo ni chawpchilh ve ta mai a, zirlai tak tak erawh nih a har teh e!
Zirna Inah
Chu zirna Inah chuan thil chi hrang hrang kan zira, keini aia an daizau chak zawk avangin Sapho-in an tawng hmangin min awp bet ta renga, an tawng chu tunlai khawvelah chuan thiam makmawh a lo ni ta. Keipawh thiam ve ngei turin ka chhungten min duha, thiam ve ngei turin Sap-Sikulah te lut chho ve zelin, ram pawn thleng thlengin Sap-tawng bawih nihna avangin kan feh chhuak ve ta a nih kha.
A tirah chuan
Mahni tawng ni lo ta fam chu thiam ve te pawh a chakawm a lo’m tiin, intihchangkanna remchang tak a nih bawk avangin, phur angreng takin ka zir ve mai bawk a. Thiam pawh ka thiam chak viau mai. Nursery ka kai tirh atanga kar hnih khat lekah Yes leh No ka hre nghal kau mai! Chutiang taka hma ka sawn chak avang chuan Saptawng ngatin ka hming te pawh ka sawi thiam leh thuai bawk a. A va ropui em!
Pre-School leh Primary School-a ka kai chhung zawng khan Lalpa tawngtaina te leh tawngtai hla chi hrang hrang te pawh Saptawng ngatin ka hre hman teuha, mahse khatih laia kan sawi dan leh tun hnua kan sawi dan erawh danglam tak a ni. A khawii zawk nge dik ang ka ti: Hmana “Laiking zawmkhawm…” nge tuna “Thy Kingdom come…” a tam mai, sawi tam loh hi mualpho lohna!
Sap-lo-tawng
Tichuan, ka lo upa telh telha, chu Saptawng chu a tira ka zuam ang ngawt kha a lo ni hauhlo mai. ‘Yes’ leh ‘No’ piah lam deuh thiam a lo ngaia, Saptawnga hming sawi ringawt a lo tawk tawh lova, tawngtaina awmsa ringawt a rin reng theih ta loh! Chumi piah lam chu a lo tul ta, ka tum laklawh a, a bawihah ka tang laklawh tawh, ka thiam ngei tur a ni!
Thiam tum ka ni bawka ka zir emaw zir lo emaw ka intih lai pawhin tawngka lamah Saptawng thumal ka telh ve ziah ta mai, ka va han thiam ve tawh reuh em! Mahse, mi thiam dan leh ka thiam dan a inanglo hi a buaithlak lai taka chu a ni. Ka thiam ve dan chu Mizotawng kara rem leh rem lova Saptawng telh a ni a; midang te erawh chuan Saptawng karah eng tawng emaw, hriatthiam ve theih tur tho si hi, an telh ve zauh thin chauh thung si. Tui taka ti ti a har thin ngawt mai. Saptawng pawh lo hmang eng ang mahse, Sap an nih miau loh avangin, “Sap-lo-tawng” ka ti tho tho!
A tul tlat bawk si
Hnamdang nena cheng ho ta chu Duhlian tawng ringawt hman theih loh hun a lo tam a, eng engah emaw a phur pawl nih phei chuan Saptawng hman ngei ngei a lo tul thin si a, lu a hai duh khawp mai. Kan thusawi tur Mizotawngin kan ngaihtuah lawka, chu chu theih ang tawka mawiin Saptawngah kan han chan tir leh thin kha a ni si a. Sawi chhuak thei tura kan inngaihtuah buai ang tluk zetin a ngaithlatu te pawh hrethiam tur chuan an inngaihtuah ve fê thin a ngaiin ka ring.
Bah John-a nena Shillong khawpuia thil kan zawn tum kha ka hre chhuak fo thin. Kan College-ah Retreat kan hmang dawna, retreat banner tur siamin kan hmanhlel a, a cheimawina’n tiin kan Chaplain nupui, hmeichhe thu zawmin hruihrual-a hmawra peh buk awm, mi changkang leh neinung deuh ten an parda hmerkhawm na’na an hman thin ang hi kan zawnga, a hming kan hre bawk silo, a nihphung Saptawnga sawi a har bawk si. Hrui chu rope a ni maia, hrui naran ni lo, thil cheimawina chu tih vel leh parda hmerkhawmna tih thlengin a sawi theih mai, mahse a hmawra peh-buk awm tih berkher hi a ngaihna kan hre ta der lo. Buai chu buaithlak tak a ni! Kan sawifiah thiam dan leh an hriatthiam dan a inhmu thei bawk silo. Bristih-ho hunlai ata tawha khawpui hlun lo ni tawh, Shillong khawpuiah chutiang ang chu kan hmu zo ta lo! Engdang vang mah a ni lo, Saptawng vang vek a ni. Aizawlah chuan nise kan hmu har lovang.
Hei pawh
UCC Anthem…Saptawnga zirtir har ber te zinga mi chu a va ni chiang tak
Buaina neuh neuh hi chu ka tawk ve fê mai. Zaipawl zirtir mawlh mai kha a ni buaithlak thin ni. An zaithiam leh thiam loh chu thuhran nise, hla an thiam theihna tura Saptawnga sawi kha a lawm buaithlak chu! Kan tawng chuan ‘sak fawk fawk loh tur, sak hmawk hmawk loh tur, sak fawk-hmawk tur’ te kan tia, a chiang êm êm mai, mahse Saptawnga sawi chu har ve tak chu a ni, a ngaihna der ka hre lo! He’ng chauh hi a la ni lo, ‘sa deuh auh auh rawh u’ tih te, ‘a Slur kha lam liam mai mai suh u’ tih ang reng Saptawnga sawi chu buaithlak tak a ni ringawt. Theih ang tawkin kan han zir chhina, entirna te kan han pe a, hetiang hian ti rawh u, saptawng ngatin kan han ti a…a bak dang a awm tawh lo, a tawpah chuan hla zir emaw intih nak a lain zai zirah kan inchhuah leh thin. Saptawng vang vek a ni!
Hei erawh ka hria, kan sawi tak, fawk fawk, hmawk hmawk tih ang reng ho hi a Grammar lam zawng chuan Double Adverb an ti a, Mizotawng timawitu tak leh ti hausatu a lo reng tih hi! Kan thil sawi nihphung leh zia rang fiah takin a hril thei thin. Hnampui tia kan lo ngaihsan êm êm te aia kan chungnunna leh hausakna ropui tak pakhat a ni ve tlat a ni. Thiam taka hman phei chuan tawng hi a mawi duh bik êm êm a, zirchian chi tak a ni.
Thiamloh a pawi fo kherlo
Saptawng hi lo thiam ta hle ila chuan huat a pui leh thinrimna tur fê fê hi chu ka tawng nasa tawh ngawt ang. Zirtirtu pakhatin dawhkan kil meuha titi pui tura min sawm tuma darkar fé min zilhhauna zo zai te kha…ka lo hrethiam veklo te kha malsawmna thuah hnih hi a ni ringawt! A thusawi zinga thenkhat, ka chhinchhiah theih chin chin te ka room-mate Dictionary-a kan en leh chuan min zilhna tawngkam te kha aw, a lo va han khain a lo va han na tak em! A sarhu laia ka lo hrethiamlo hlauh kha a zangkhai thlak ngawt mai!
Ni e, thiam a thaa, thiam loh pawh a pawiloh chang a lo awm tho a lo nih tak tak hi. Chuvang chuan Sap ka lo ni lo kher kher hi chu ka lawm leh hnuhnawh ngawt mai! Heti taka Saptawng thiamlo hi, Sap chu lo ni ila a buaithlak tur zia mai chu sawiin a siak lo!
[Hmana mi, upload thar leh…intih tawngkam thiam vanglai a lo nih dawn hi :D]
A hming chu “Alexander Mehboob” a nia, Pakistan-a ram bial pakhat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ram bial huamchhung, Peshawar-a khawsa a ni. Zirna lamah MA (Islamiyat) leh MA (International relation), M.Div a ni a. A pa hi zirtirtu a ni a, a pu hi Pastor a ni thung, a pami te 2 hi pastor an ni bawk. A pa pu hi Sikh sakhua aṭanga Kristiana inlet a ni a, hemi achinah hian an chhungkua hi rawngbawltu chhungkua an ni chho ta zel a ni.
Rev. Alexander Mehboob, MA (Islamiyat), MA (IR), M.Div.
Tlangval harhvang tak, sa pan thler thlawr a ni a. Ka hmuh hmasak ber nia a chipui te Urdu ṭawnga bia a, a teikual vel ruai kha mitthlaah a la cham reng mai. Kamis ṭial leh kekawrtlawn ngalrek chen a haa, chappal a bun a, a kamis hi a benglut lem lo thung. A kamis kar aṭangin a kekawr benga a key chain khai – Pakistan Flag lem chu a lang zauh zauh bawk a, eng thuamhnaw pawh inbel se he keychain hi a khai reng a, a kawr awmah Pakistan flag anga siam lapel pin a bel reng bawk. A bak hmul a zuah kual a, a hmuihmulin a heh a khuh lek lek a, a ṭawng karlakah a tuai chho leh lawk ṭhin. A hmel en mai kha chuan khawilam ringthar nge maw niang le? Tih tur khawpa dawldang a ni a, he’ng laia Punjabi kan lo hmuh ve ṭhin te nen chuan an sa chu inmuk hleih tak a ni.
Mahni inuluk tak a ni tih erawh a hriat theih mai. Function pangngai chinah chuan puithiam kawr (clerical shirt) a ha a, pheikhawk pum a bun ap reng bawk. Chutianga a inthuam aţang chuan Pastor a ni tih kan hriat theih phah ta hlauh bawk a. Zan khat chu Cultural Programme kan hmanga, mahni hnam inchei dan a inchei tur a ni a, hemi ţum hian kan Peshawar tlangval hi Kurta var suit hain a rawn inthuama, chumi chungah chuan kawrchung dum a la ha hrama. Tuifinriat kam ṭiauphoa che velah chuan a la smart ber awm e.
Peshawar tlangval, St. Stephen Church kawtah
Alexander-a hian St. Albert’s College, Karachi aṭanga BA a zawh hnuin, Peshawar University aṭangin MA (Islamiyat) a zo leh a, Masters in International Relationship a zo bawk. St. Thomas Theological seminary, Karachi aṭanga M.Div. a zawh hnuah Pastor atana nemngheh a ni a, kum 2013 aṭangin Church of Pakistan hnuaia Faisalabad Diocese-ah Chaplain niin rawngbawl hna bul a ṭana, kum 2017 aṭangin Peshawar Diocese-a ṭhalai rawngbawlna enkawltuah a ṭang ta a ni. Pathianniah Pathian biak Inkhawm Urdu leh English Service an nei ṭhin a, Zirtawp chhun dar 12-ah “Lalpa Zanriah Sakramen” an kil a, tlai dar 5:30-ah “Damna inkhawm” an nei zui leh a, engemaw changin nilainiah inkhawm an nei ṭhin bawk.
Pakistan Kristiante chungchang sawi dunin Fk-i nen
Pakistan Rama Kristianna dinhmun
Chanchinthar kan dawn tam zawk hi Pakistan rama Kristian te dinhmun chhiat zia leh an chep zia hlirin a awh khata. Ringthar thah thu te Biak In suasam tih te hi kan hriat lar a ni. Chanchinthar thehdarhtu te hian chanchin dik tak emaw a nihna tak tarlan emaw ai chuan a nih bak hret, mi te ngaihven tur zawngin an chhuah fo ṭhin nia an sawi hi a tak tak emaw tih mai a awl ṭhin. Pakistan-ah hian kum zabi 18 chhoah khan Kristianna hi a lut tawha; Bristish sipai te leh Missionary ten Kohhran an lo phun daih tawh a ni.
Rev. Alexander Mehboob, Youth Coordinator, Peshawar Diocese, Church of Pakistan
Pakistan hi Islam dana inkaihhruaina ram a nih avangin sakhaw dang te tan hmalak erawh a har hle. An ram danah sakhaw danga inleh hi khap bur a ni a, chutih rual chuan sakhaw dang aṭanga Islam-a an inleh erawh chuan harsatna engmah an tawk ngailo thung. Islam sakhaw vuantu Kristianah emaw, sakhaw dangah emaw inpe ta se, sorkara a inziahluh tirha a inziahluh dan kha Muslim a nih si chuan a sakhua kha sorkarin a thlak sak duh ta ṭhin lo a ni. Tin, hetiang boruak a thlen hian han rikhluai chang an neih ṭhin a, Kristian ten a pawng a puia tihduhdahna an tawrh loh thu leh an chunga hleilenna a nazawngin a thleng lo niin Peshawar tlangval hian a sawi bawk.
“Kristian te chu an taimaa, an rinawma, hna an thiam bawk” tih hi Pakistan rama ringlo mi ten Kristian te an hmuh dan a ni.
Pakistan Kristian ţhalaite
Pakistan rama ringtu te aw ka ngei aṭanga an ṭhalaite dinhmun leh ningkhawng han dawnsawn chu ngaihthlak a nuamin rilru a khawih teh e! Rawngbawl dan chi hrang hrang an neia, chung zinga danglam tak chu “Inter-Faith Youth Camp” (Sakhaw hrang hrang ṭhalaite intawhkhawm) kha a ni. Kar khat chhung teh meuh sakhaw hrang hrang ṭhalaiten intawhkhawm hun an hmang ṭhin a, chumi chhung chuan thil chi hrang hrang an zirho a, nunphung te, eizawnna kawng lam inkawhhmuhna leh inpumkhatna lam thu te an zir ber a, themthiamna kawnga hma an sawn theih dan tur te pawh an zir ṭhin bawk. He programme hi Church of Pakistan buatsaih a ni.
Pakistan rama Kristian te chanchin khunkhan takin kan sawiho
Tunlaina boruak hrang hrangin a chimbuai ve reng bawk. Kristian ṭhalai an inhlohna tam ber chu nupui pasal inneih vang niin an sawi bawk. Kristian tlangval tan Islam nula neih chu a theihloh tluk a ni a, an inneih dawn chuan tlangvalin a Kristianna bansana Islam a zawm emaw a nih loh chuan buaina nasa tak an tawk mai ṭhin. Chutihrual chuan Kristian nula leh Islam tlangval inkarah erawh harsatna a awm lem lo, nula kha Islam-a a inpêk mai avangin! Islam tlangval leh Kristian nula inngaizawng sawi tur an tama, nula ten an Kristianna an phatsan zel bawk si avangin Kristian te tan chuan channa nasa tak a ni a, Pakistan rama Kristian ṭhalai hruaitu te rilru tihahtu lian tak a ni.
Training chung zawnga zawhna ngah ber a ni hial awm e!
Ruihhlo avanga harsatna erawh an tawk lem lo. Islama dana rorelna a nih avangin drug leh ruihhlo dang a zalenlo a, ṭhalai zingah ruihhlo ngai an awm meuh lo.
Kristian ṭhalai nge nge
Eizawnna leh hna zawnna lamah sakhaw dang te aṭangin harsatna leh enhranna emaw an tawk ve lem lo. Chuti a hnehin Peshawar leh Hyderabad bawr vela Sawrkar leh mimal hna thawk tur phei chuan Kristian ṭhalai an duh ber lawi tlat si hi thil chhinchiah tlak tak a ni. “Kristian te chu an taimaa, an rinawma, hna an thiam bawk” tih hi Pakistan rama ringlo mi ten Kristian te an hmuh dan a ni. Keini ramah erawh “Kohhrana inhmang lo…” tih te hi hna siamtu te tehkhawng a ni lawia. KṬP ten inenfiah nan i hmang ang u. Pakistan Kristian ṭhalaite ang hian KṬP-a active tak te hi hnathawk tura min duh zawk theih nan theihtawp kan chhuah a ṭul hle mai.
India, Pakistan, England leh Sri Lanka palai te nen
Rev. Alexander Mehboob
Peshawar Tlangval, Rev. Alexader Mehboob nen hian SACYN Leaders Training 2017, Negombo-a intawng kan ni a, Hindi-in a ṭawng emaw ka tia, ka Hindi thiam ang angin ka bia a, anin Urdu-in ka bia emaw min lo ti ve thung a, “Urdu i thiam a ni maw” min ti awllo, thui erawh kan inbe thei lem hlei lo a, Hindi thiamin a tlin miau si loh chuan. Sapṭawng pangngai takin a 6awng thei a, a aw phawi pawh India rama Hindi hmang ho aw phawi ang tho a nih avangin hriat a harsa lo. Kan chamho chhung zawnga a ṭawngkam hmasa ber chu “inchungah thlamuanna awm rawh se” tih hi a ni. Traning-a tel ve, nula ho ten fiam tehah an neih a, thla te an lakpuia, an han lem fem vel ṭhin a, ani mi kulmuk chi tih takah a hnar nasa thei hle. Chumi hmu chak chuan a aia uar sauhin an han fiam ta ṭhina, a ṭang nasa ṭhin khawp mai.
Nepal leh Myanmar palai te nen
Tlangval hawihhawm leh bengvar tak a ni a, kan haw tur pawh min thlah thlap nghe nghe a. Training chhung zawnga zawhna ngah ber a ni ta hial awm e. Peshawar Diocese ṭhalai te zinga rawngbawltu pawimawh tak, an khaipa – coordinator a ni a. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province chhunga Kristian ṭhalaiten kawng hrang hranga hma an sawn theih dan tur ngaihtuahin Peshawar Diocese hian hma an la a, sakhaw dang ṭhalaite nen pawh thawhhona ṭha tak neiiin, innghirngho lovin, chak tak siin rawngbawl hna a kalpui mek a ni. SACYN Leaders Training-ah hian Pakistan aṭangin mi 3 an rawn tela, pakhat hi chu resource person a ni nghe nghe. Tin, England-a cheng, Pakistan mi, nula pakhat a rawn tel bawk.
Field Visit-ah team khatah kan awm dun
SACYN Leader’s Training 5th Module 2017 hi Negambo, Sri Lanka-ah neih a ni a. Khawvel ram hrang hrang – Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, England, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan leh Sri Lanka aṭangin kan kalkhawma. India ram aṭang hian Kohhran 3 (CSI, Syrian Orthodox leh PCI) atangin kan kala, CKTP (Mizoram Synod) aiawhin Nl. Lalfamkimi (Fk-i) nen kan kal.
SACYN 2017 palai te
[Kristian Thalai Chanchinbu April 2018-ah tihchhuah a ni]
The land of the head hunters was transformed into a land of peace within a short span of time. It was the Lord’s doing. The advent of the Missionaries in the now called Mizoram was in three phases. The Lakher Pioneer Mission (LPM), the last of them all, was established in September 26, 1907 at Saikao Village by Rev. R.A. Lorrain. Since then, his legacy remains there.
Some part of Saikao Village. July 7, 2012
Saikao, previously known as Serkawr is a small village in Siaha district of Mizoram. It is around 300Km from Aizawl, the capital of the state and around 51 Km from Siaha.
The Lakher Pioneer Mission Compound, Saikao
The Lorrain’s Ville Bungalow was built on a hill top in 1914 by Rev. Lorrain himself, using a tin roof, a wooden floor and a ‘dap’ wall (splitted bamboo matted together).
Lorrain Ville, a Bungalow built in 1914 by Rev. RA Lorrain
Trophies at Lorrain’s Ville
Rev. Violet Louise Anne Mark, the third generation of the LPM decided not to return to England. She has been staying at the Lorrain’s Ville till today. Affectionately called as ‘Pi Vaili’ by the locals is the grand daughter of Rev. R.A. Lorrain. Born on April 16, 1938, at Saikao, her mother was “Tlosai Zua No” (Princess of the Lakher), the daughter of Rev. Lorrain. Her father was Mr. A.B. Bruce Foxtall. She was married to Rev. L. Mark, a Mara theologian in 1968. She was ordained as a minister in 1994 by Rev. Lambert Garter at Saikao.
Rev. Violet L. Mark (Photo courtesy – Soul Photography, Siaha)
Rev. Violet turned 80 today (April 16, 2018). May God continue to be be with her.
Rev. L. Mark
The Mark’s were blessed with four offspring – 3 sons and 1 daughter.
Grand Childrens of the Mark’s.
The bungalow has been neatly maintained by the Mark’s. As you walk inside, you can feel the presence of the Lorrain’s. Things were kept as it was.
The living room
The living room was set up in such a way that it was like stepping into a time machine and going back to the 19th century England.
A research colleague, Dr. B. Malsawmkima sat on the rocking chair of Mrs. Lorrain
Rev. Lorrain developed the Mara Alphabet and translated the bible in his study room in the bungalow.
Study room at the Lorrain’s Ville
The Holy Bible used as a reference by Rev. R.A. Lorrain for translation into Mara
Rev. Lorrain was a trained medical personnel. It was his knowledge in medicine that gained the trust of the head hunters (Lorrain, 1920).
Biography of Hudson Taylor and other Medical Books and a typewriter
Ms. Tlosai, the daughter of Rev. Lorrain was an excellent pianist. It was said that most of the Mara Gospel songs were translated and written by using this upright piano. Which was freighted in 1932 to Tlabung by boat, it was then disassembled and transported to Saikao by means of pony.
A Dale Forty upright piano
The Maraland celebrated its Gospel Centenary in 2007. Saikao village, being the provenance of the Gospel in the area, remained in the hearts of the Mara Community and the whole Mizoram. The dedications of the Pioneer Missionaries will always be cherished. The legacy, which remained there will also be an evidence of their dedications.
A monument erected at Saikao to commemorate the Gospel Centenary of the Maraland.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
[Isaiah 52:7 (KJV)]
Oftenly I heard about the LPM and their legacies which remain there at Saikao. Visiting the LPM has always been in my bucket list. On July the 7th 2012, while venturing around the Siaha Forest Division, we had our brunch at Kaochao (Kawlchaw) Forest Beat House. We were then taken to the village forest plantation around the legendary Saikao village. We took the offroad to cut our journey short. We crossed the Chhimtuipui river, heading straight to Saikao through a fair weather road. The road was bumpy and slippery. If not for a robust Gypsy, we would have stuck on the way.
Crossing the river Chhimtuipui
Luck favoured us. The ACF, who was the Liaison officer for the monitoring team was born and raised up at Saikao Village. The LPM Premise was his childhood playground. He took us to the Bungalow and we finally met the Last of the Pioneer Missionary.
It was an impromptu visit…had it been a pre-planned visit, I would have not wear a camouflage shirt…and lucky me for that boy standing in front of me…who hideth the chempui carried cross-draw at my waist 😀
Even though it was ecology which brought us there, it was more a pilgrimage to me. A pilgrimage to witness the love and the grace of God.
Today, on her 80th Birthday, our prayers are with Rev. L. Mark and his family, who lovingly cared for Rev. Violet, as she is bedridden due to hypertension and other old age ailments. #prayforrevviolet
A heartfelt gratitude to –
Soul Photography, Siaha for permitting me to use Rev. Violet’s portrait.
Mr. Beihrochhua, a close friend, for helping me to get the necessary information.
Nidang ang bawkin ni a sa rumrut a, mut a chhuak êm êm a, exam lai a ni chungin lehkha zir chakna rilruah a awm lo a, zir erawh a that thu kan inhrilh awl lo. Chawchhun kan fak zawhin mahni room theuhah kan thal phung hlawma, tuman ngaihthat lohna kan nei lo. Ngaih han tih that lohna chhan tur lah a awm hek lo, eng nge rawn thleng dawn kan hre tlat lo a ni.
Annexe Hostel kawtah Mahruaia. Tunhma chuan Administrative Office atana hman thin a ni.
Chu ni chu
Thal lai a ni a, thli lum a thaw vûk vûk a, he ni hi nidang aia a danglamna chu ‘ni dang aiin thli a tam’ tih a ni chauh mai. Tute emaw angin he ni danglam bikna chhan tur hi mumang mak danglam hmanga hmuh lawk tir ka ni lova, inlarna hmanga hriattir ka ni hek lo. ‘God proved wireless’ hmanga hriattir ka ni bawk hek lo. Sana a vir ngaiin a vir a, ni a sat dan ngaiin a sa a, khua a lum dan ngaiin a luma, nidang ang thovin engmah tilovin kan awm vel awm mai mai a ni.
Mar. 28, 2004. Pathianni Chawhma Inkhawm bang (L-R: Dingluaia, Keimah, Lalmama leh Hruaitea)
Kan ral hmang mei
“Mizo Upate chuan ‘khuaa sakhi a luh chuan kangmei a chhuak duh’ an ti” an ti a, hei lah hi hetih hunlai hi chuan an sawi ka la hre lova, a hma ni hian College Campus-ah Sakhi an kap tih erawh ka hria. Awlthawng taka hun kan hman laiin chawhnu her, nau rual zanriah chhum hun velah keini aia thiltithei zawk, ‘kan ral hmang mei’ chuan a zia a chhuah tan a. Khuaa sakhi a luh vang pawh ni chuang lovin, mi pawlawh thenkhatte kut hleiin hnahthel ro an hal chuan an rin aia nasain nghawng a nei ta a ni. Khua a ro em avangin mei si leng vakin a den fuh hnahthel ro chuan awlsam takin a man kaia, ni dang aia thli a thawt nasa avangin chu mei chu a kangkai zela, thelh hleih theih loh meipuiah, a chawmtu thli leh hnim hnah ro tangkawp chuan a chhawm alh ta a ni ber mai.
Theihtawp chhuah a ram kang thelh tuma beih a nih lai chuan chu kan ral hmang mei chuan hlet a chhuah a. Ruahsur leh nisa hnuaia kan tawmna, chhun leh zana chawlh hahdamna min petu, hnam hrang hrang, a Zo-a Vaia inlungrual taka kan chen hona In chu, a chhunga kan neih zawng zawng te chawp chuan, chu ‘kangmei’ chuan, a lem zo a, kan chan chhun chu a alh en leh a vap hai a ni mai. Hei lo liama ‘Mei alh en’ hi a awm chuang dawn em ni?
Hei lo liama meialh en!
Chi-ai
A kang tur leh kang thei zawng zawng a kang zova, chan a chau, neih ka nei lo, ka thiante lahin an nei hek lo. Lungngaihin awmzia a neiloa, tahin awmzia a nei hek lo. Hlimin awmzia a nei lo a, nuihna pawh pawnlang thil mai a ni. Taksa a hahdam lova, rilru a muang hek lo. Engkim mai hi engmah lo mai a lo ni zo ta! Tah a chhuak a, mittui a hul hlauh thung si, lunngai hmel put aiin hlim hmel put ka zir a, a sawt chuang lo. Thu maiin min hnem lova, hla lahin min hnem chuang hek lo. Krista avanga tuar chu ni ila lawm takin ka tuar thei mahna. Mahse Amah avanga tuar ka nih ka inhre lo. Kristian pawh ni lo, sakhaw dang betu te an awm ve tho si a, ka tawrh aia an tawrh a nêpna a awm chuang bawk si lo…He thil ka(n) chunga a thlenna chhan hi hria ila tawrh a hahdam thei ber ang tih chu ka inhnemna ber a ni. Krista avanga tuar ni lo mah ila, Pathianin fiah tlaka min ngai erawh ka lawm tawk a ni.
Kan hostel langa thla kan lak hnuhnung. (Keimah, Paongam leh Rochana)
Mangan laia tanpui vartu
Mahni inkhawngaih a na duh hle a, keimah leh keimah ka inkhawngaih aia nasa zawka min khawngaihtu tam tak engkimtithei Pathianin min lo pe reng a lo ni. Kan chhiat tawh avanga lungngai hmel pu a, kan hrehawmna min tuarpuitu te chu kan lam tang, min thlamuantu te an ni tih tlai khawhnuah ka hre chhuak thar leh a. Ka(n) tan chuan Vana Van Angel thianghlim te nen an hlut dan a thuhmun reng. Kan rilru hliam min thawisaka, min tawngtai saktu te aw tluk a ngaihnawm leh ngaihawm a lo awm lo. Riahna tur min siamsak a, thuamhnaw hak tur min petu, min tuamhlawmtu te hi an ni mai lo’m ni Vantirhkoh te chu?
Mar. 26, 2004. Annexe Boys Hostel-a ka room.
Mizo ngê ngê
Hnamdang te thal ve theih loh, kang ve theilo, tuikhur hnar nei Mizo nih hi a ni lo nuam ni. Ka tawrh ang tuar, ka thian te ai chuan ka chan a lo la tha fe mai. Mizo ka nih avanga ka vanneih zia hi sawi loh phal chi a ni lo. MSU member te atanga tanpuina ka dawn ang kha an hnam zirlai pawl atanga an dawn ve awm pawh ka hre lo. Thenawm khawveng, Kohhran leh khawtlang te’n min tuarpuina sum leh pai, silhfen leh tawngkama ka dawn ang hi ‘Annexe Boys Hostel-a’ ka chenpui hnamdang te zingah hian tumahin an dawng ve lo. Mizo-a min siamtu Pathian chungah ka lawm a, Amah chu ka fak a ni.
Kan Hostel-a Guitar perhthiam awmchhun nih manah Masi hla te pawh kan sa ve mai bawk a 😀
The Last of the Annexian. Annexe Hostel Christmas Carol, 2003 hmanpuiin Principal, Pu Sawma leh a nupui, Ma’am Pachuau. Hostel danga Warden te, Hostel dang G.S. te leh zai tura kan sawm te, kan Warden Bah Rudolph Manih hoin.
Vanneihna hlutzia ka hriat theih nan ka chungah vanduaina a thlen tir a, he hrehawmna hian hrehawmloh nawmzia min hriattira.
“Dai hriatna (Experience) hian min siam famkim” tih ni mahse, he kangmei hi famkimna kailawn zawh nana ka duh tawp loh thil a ni a, ka thu chu nise famkim tura he kailawn a kai ai chuan hel mai ka thlang zawka; “Engkim hi kan thatna turin a thleng thin” tih pawh hi sap thufing a ni a, Mizo thufing pawh va ni suh, mahse ka thatna tur pawh a lo ni mahna, hunin a la hril ang chu.
Mar. 30, 2004. Ka pa hoin ka uten min rawn hruai.
Mar. 28, 2005. Kan hostel kan champhaphak vawi 1-naah College-a lalut zawng ten kan Hostel hmunah Pathian hnena inhlanna hun kan hmang. (L-R: K Adani Mao, Shiladitya Narzary, Keimah, Thomson Basumatary leh T. Paongam Haokip)
[Annexe Boys’ hostel kan thu UCC AW Monthly. Vol. VIII:2. 13.02.05-a tihchhuah, a ngai anga dah luh leh a ni]
