Photoessay Archives - Page 2 of 3

of Mud and Clay

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Tea and snacks, in a ceramic cups and plate

You can reach them here:

Call: +919679984008 (Lipi Biswas)

via e-resources: marangburu@yahoo.com; studiobonerpukurdanga; studiobonerpukrudanga

My wife, holding the art piece that we purchased, posed with Mrs Lipi

Nikir thla ti ti

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?

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.

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!

Panah Express: A Zenfone story

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[All images are shot with Asus Zenfone3Max]

Peshawar Tlangval

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.

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.

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.

[Kristian Thalai Chanchinbu April 2018-ah tihchhuah a ni]

The Last of the Pioneer Mission

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

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.

The Mark’s were blessed with four offspring – 3 sons and 1 daughter.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

…

Reference:

Lorrain, R.A. 1920. Pioneering Lakherland. Lakher Pioneer Mission, London.

Phaileng ila

Mizorama țhalaite intawhkhawm lianber, KȚP General Conference kan thleng leh dawn ta reng mai. Tun țum hi a vawi 57-na tur a ni a, March 1 – 4, 2018 chhungin West Phaileng-ah neih a ni ang.

KȚP General Conference vawi 57-na neihna tur, W Phaileng khua hi Aizawl ațangin 85Km vela hla a ni a, LMV-in darkar 3 ațanga darkar 4 vel kal a ni.

Rawpuichhip by-pass…laih mek a nih avangin a la khu deuh…hetiang hi hmun 4 velah a awm

Tun țum Conference-ah hian thupui atan “Isua chhinchiahna put” [Gal. 6:17] hman a ni a, Rev. Vanlalzuatan thupui hi a sawi ang. Programme chipchiar chu General conference hlabu lamah a chuang bawka sawi zui thui lovang.

A thlengtu tur West Phaileng Bial te inbuatsaihna nasat zia leh inpêkna nasatzia a hmun ngeia hmuh chuan ‘Conference hlawhtling tak’ kan hman ngei hi a rinhlelhawm loh. In tinin mikhual ei tur vawk leh ar an vulha, Conference-a an mikhual te tan February thlatir ațang khan an lo inhrek tawha; an bazar-ah sa lei mai tur a awm tawh lo, Conference atan an khek vek tawh!

Halelui Veng, West Phaileng. Mikhual thleng turin an inbuatsaih ngawrh hle

Mikhual thlenna turin a țhenin an In chungah hulhliap an zara, a țhenin an In hnuai, mi țhenkhatin bûk hran an sa bawk. A khawnawtin an In leh a vel an chei hnuma, rawng an hnawih thara, thawmțhat ngai an thawm țha bawk.

Halelui Veng, West Phaileng. Conference thleng turin an In an chei hnum nasa hle

Khawchhungah Sorkar hmalakna, Palai te chêt vel a awlsam zawkna tur hrang hrang hmuh tur a tam hle a, Conference zawh hnua khaw miten an chhawr zui zel tur a ni nghe nghe.

Pandal 275 x 170 ft a zau, mipui 12000 vel țhut theihna tur an saa, an rel laklawh laiin vanduai deuh mahse an inbuatsaihna erawh a pangngaiin a kala, pandal mawi leh NGHET tak kan nei dawn a ni.

Lamtual pawh mi sangtel lam theihna tura zau a ni. Conference danga kan la hmuh ngailoh, thutthleng rem dan chi dang deuh kan hmu dawn bawk.

Pandal chhung, mi 12000 țhut theihna tur chu

Chanvo nei hrang hrang te chantual tur, 30′ x 90′ a zau, 4′ a sangin dawhsan siam a ni a. Dawhsan hnung bangah banner liantak, Tuikual Branch KȚP te siam chu tar a ni bawk ang.

Stage hnung lam atanga thlir…Speaker’s eye view te ti ta ila 😀

Conference hmangtu te tan remchang chi hrang hrang ruahman a ni a, pandal ațanga pan nuam tawk, pandal chhung ațanga hnawk pha silo turah zun-ram thiarna țhahnem tak siam a ni a, mipa leh hmeichhe hman tur a hranga siam a ni. Pandal kawtkai remchang laiah, tih țhin dan pangngaiin CKȚP office, Synod Bookroom leh office chi hrang hrang siam a ni leh ang.

West Phaileng Bial huamchhungah hian veng hrang hrang a awma, khawdanga veng leh kawtthler hming atana hman lar loh tak tak a awm nual mai. Pastor Quarters awmna lai vel hi “Pastor veng” tih a ni a, chumi chhim lam chiah chu “Halelui Veng” tih a ni thung. “Chhim Veng, Bethlehem Veng, Kanan Veng” tih te hi chu hman tlanglawn a ni a, mahse Teirei kawnga “Workshop Veng” thlen hma deuha “Zig-Zag” kawtthler hi chu chhinchhiah a awl bik riau.

Conference thlengtu te hian hmachhuan tur dang an neilo, Isua Krista chauh lo chu. An khaw len loh dan leh mihring an tam loh dan chu keini aiin an inhrechiang zawk. Țhahnemngai takin, Kristian Țhalai te tan an inbuatsaiha, “ri mup mup mai ila, zi mup mup mai ila, chep takin inhnawhkhawm ila…” tih chu Conference buaipuitu lam te țawngkam ngaihnawm tak a ni [Thlengtu te inbuatsaihna video clip en duh tan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIjhNfIAiLo&feature=youtu.be hi klik mai tur].

Pandal chhung leh a vel cheimawitu lam ten pandal-ah puanțhui khawl inchhawpin hna an thawk mup mup mai bawk

Krista chauh hmachhuana thleng tur an nih avang tak hian Thlarau lama inbuatsaihna pawh an bei ngawrh, țawngțai pawl te kaihhruaiin nasa takin Conference pual hian an țawngțai reng a, Conference hlung tak, Thlarau Tianghlim hriakthih a ni ngei ang tih a rinawm tlat a ni. Taksa leh Thlaraua malsawmna chang ngei tura Conference hmang turin Zoram chhung leh pawna Kristian Țhalai zawng zawng te min sawm a ni.

Conference neihna hmun tur, W Phaileng khua hi Feb 16, 2018 khan kan tlawha, an inbuatsaihna leh hmalak dan te a ropui kan ti takzet a ni. Camera, battery awmlo erawh hmanna a tam lo hle. Phone (Zenfone3M) camera leh GoPro Hero 5 te erawh a țangkai narawh!

Battery tello chuan lungtum ah ang mai chauh a ni 😁😁😁

The Bamboo Chronicles

Being born and raised in a family where the kitchen garden is primarily dominated by bamboo, there has always been a part of bamboo in me. Our “Chuktuah huan” (Kitchen garden or backyard) was the place where the chronicles begun. At least three species of bamboo were growing, till 2006. The gregarious flowering of the Mautak (Melocanna baccifera) since 2006 was the cause of the downfall of the bamboo dynasty at our backyard.

Bamboo forest cleared for Lo (jhum field). A view from West Phaileng to Lallen road.

Bamboo, by taxonomy, belongs to a grass family. Functionally, it is more like a wood, and is often regarded as a tree. Mizoram has at least 25 indigenous species of bamboo, belonging to 8 genera. Among them, Mautak (M. baccifera) is the dominating species, occupying ~90% of the bamboo forest of the state. Since time immemorial, bamboo has been used in varied ways. It is one of the most highly utilized natural resources among the Mizo community.

There’s a saying, once a man built a house with bamboo. He used bamboo pole, bamboo flooring, bamboo wall and bamboo thatched roof and cooked bamboo shoot in a bamboo culm, using bamboo as fuel wood. He then consumed the bamboo shoot, and said, “Bamboo, I’m in you and you’re in me.” Indeed, bamboo has a deep impact on the socio-economics and socio-culture of the Mizo society.

A young girl sells a bamboo shoot @Vaipuanpho

The recent re-clarification of bamboo as a grass, by the president of India, however abstain the Incredible India to claim its carbon trading protocol through bamboo. If only it was acknowledged as a tree, the carbon credit owned by India would be immense, much much higher than those hardwood species. However, bamboo farmers would easily harvest their bamboo without acquiring permission from the government. In other words, bamboo being re-classified as grass makes it unnecessary to obtain permission, they can freely harvest and sell. Its a great news for the bamboo farmers. Yet, the environmental service rendered by the bamboo forests remains the same.

The Bamboo College

I did my UG studies at the Union Christian Christian College (UCC). The UCC was established in Aug. 14, 1952 at Umiam Khwan, Meghalaya by the Assam Christian Council, now known as the North East India Christian Council (NEICC). During its inception, the managing board was so poor that they could not afford any hi-fi building materials. Instead, they built classrooms and other buildings with the locally available bamboo. Since then, it was given a nick name “the Bamboo College.”

The guy who grew up among the clumps and culms of bamboo finally graduated from the bamboo college. The story continues…

The bambu sapiens

After completing PG from the Mizoram University, the guy among the bamboo choose to be with the bamboo yet again. Enrolling myself to do a research on the ecological services of bamboo in combating the climate change, I think about bamboo, I spoke about bamboo, I dreamt about bamboo and I keep on working in the bamboo forest here and there.

Sub-samples for laboratory analysis. The RE Classic playing its role!

Bamboo leads me to 5 study sites in the five administrative districts of Mizoram. Visiting each sites bi-monthly; measuring the girth, collecting the soils, excavating the roots, collecting the litters. Two and half years passed, those data sets were transformed into some magical equations…and lo! I was permitted to submit my thesis.

Bambu sapiens at work among the Rawthing (clumps of B. tulda) @Mausen, Lunglei district

Since I worked on and with bamboo for more than two years, my friend used to call me ‘bamboo man,’ however, there are guys like Ghani Zaman who has been acknowledged as ‘Bamboo Man’ for his enormous bamboo related works. Moreover, my contribution and experience doesn’t deserve the ‘bamboo man’ title. Instead, ‘bambu-sapiens’ feels more suitable…hehe…

Field work was never a burden when you have a friend who always stood by your side be it storm or rain! Kudos to a research colleague, Dr. B. Malsawmkima

Dec. 2, 2014

Another months passed; finally Dec. 2, 2014 was the day I stood for the bamboo, defending the bamboo and proclaim that “Bamboo is the answer!” After a few sets of questions being answered, a round of applause and an acknowledgement from my Supervisor sealed the day. Handshake and light refreshment followed.

Meanwhile at home, on the same day, there was a news of a new born baby girl; another member in the family. She is the third child and first daughter of my elder brother. How joyful it was! Its the Lord doing.

The Acknowledgment

In my thesis, I wrote the following few lines, acknowledging those that made me the bambu-sapiens:

I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor Prof. S.K. Tripathi for his never ending encouragement, guidance and advice. Without him, this research work will never be completed. I am also thankful to my co-supervisor Dr. F Lalnunmawia, a wonderful counselor, who is always ready for me.

I thanked Prof. U.K. Sahoo, the Head of Department of Forestry and other faculty members of the department for their constant support.
Several personnel, who helped me in locating the potential study sites and arranging the necessary protocol for performing the on field experiments and collection of samples, especially Pi Chhawni of Mausen and Pu Patrick Z, the then Village Council President of Chhingchhip Mualpui, are instrumental in the completion of this work, I shall never forget them.

Their names are worth mentioning – Mr. B. Malsawm Kima, a research colleague, who always stood by my side, be it storm or rain, another research colleague – Mr. Lalriliana Fanai and Ms Jeeceelee Leishangthem for their tiredless help in the field work, data analysis as well as in the laboratory works. I am much obliged to them.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. H. Lalhlenmawia, Head, Department of Pharmacy, RIPANS, Aizawl and his staff, Dr. Aduha Pachuau, in particular, for their generousity and assistance in the laboratory works.
The staffs of the Central Instrumentation Laboratory, Mizoram University are the backbone in the chemical analyses of my samples, I am thankful to them.

My sincere gratitude goes to Dr. C. Lalrammawia for his support and advice in shaping up my thesis.

The support I received from my parents encouraged me to reach this far. Words could not express my gratitude to my loving parents!

Above all, I thanked God for His merciful blessings which He bestowed upon me. I thanked Him for giving me all of the above and lots more.

April 10, 2015: Xth Convocation of MZU – “By virtue of the power vested in me…I admit you to the degree of…I charge you that ever in your life and conversation you show yourselves worthy of the same”

To this day, I often asked myself “Am I worthy of it…?”

[slightly personal… :D]