Poetry book ‘A country with no home’ released in Kohima

KOHIMA — ‘A country with no home,’ a collection of 40 poems written by Lozaan Khumbah was released by the president of Kohima Press Club, Alice Yhoshü on Friday at ‘The Book Home’ in Kohima.

The book release event also marked the 91st publication of the PenThrill Publication House.

In a conversation with Bauna Panmei, assistant professor of History at Patkai Christian College, the author shared that his love for poem developed during high school days and writing poems come naturally to him.

The book explores friendship, home and belonging in the face of rapidly changing social-political realities.

“Notwithstanding the challenges posed by these changes, the book is animated by a love for the wonderfully diverse country that is India. These verses are a raging against the dying of light, an exercise in hoping, an attempt at singing in the night,” the author added.

The author expressed hope that his poems would encourage readers to think boldly and speak freely including the bitter truth to those in power.

Speaking at the launch event, Yhoshü observed that Khumbah writes with ease and simplicity and conveyed his thoughts and emotions where one can immediately engage.

“His poems are stark, honest, alive, current and somewhat desolate too,” she added and encouraged him to continue writing.

Vishü Rita Krocha, publisher of The PenThrill Publication House, introduced the author. From Tamenglong district in Manipur, the author studied in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, for Master’s and PhD in Geography. He currently lives and teaches in Aizawl, Mizoram.