Kohima: PenThrill Publication House, a Nagaland-based publishing house, marked a major milestone on Friday with the launch of its 100th publication, Where The Light Finds Us, authored by its publisher Vishü Rita Krocha.
The event, held at the Centre of Excellence for Music and Arts in Kohima, was attended by friends, family, and book lovers.
Reflecting on the centennial publication, Krocha shared that the original plan was to launch the 100th publication last December, but the delay led to Where The Light Finds Us taking the landmark spot.
“As I look back, I can only reflect in total awe of the exceptional list of titles and genres including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, biography, graphic novels, cook books, manga comics, children books, folktales, photo poetry, memoir, etc that PenThrill has published over the last decade,” she said.
She noted that while she once envisioned a full-fledged office for PenThrill to facilitate the publishing process, she had not imagined that in just over a decade, the publication house would have worked with more than 100 authors, primarily from Nagaland, but also from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, and in languages beyond English, including Tenyidie and Sumi.
“In marking this 100th publication, we celebrate the many diverse voices and stories of our people in literature that have essentially given readers not just here but wherever our books have reached, a better understanding of the Naga life, illuminating experiences of a unique culture and tradition; strength, love and resilience. We celebrate all these narratives that have been published by PenThrill in the form of a book. These stories will continue to challenge, inspire and resonate across generations,” she said.
Krocha also acknowledged the authors PenThrill has published, requesting the audience to explore their works, purchase books, and support local literature. “This seemingly little but significant step you take today to purchase and read books that are diverse, and rich with culture and history, will go a long way in fostering a community where all voices are valued and heard.,” she emphasised.
Speaking on Where The Light Finds Us, Krocha shared that all seven stories in the collection are based on true events, though fictionalised in parts. Some stories were previously published by PenThrill, Zubaan, Sahitya Akademi, and Routledge, while others, including All the Broken Things, were newly written. The latter delves into the emotions and challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Poet and writer Agnes Tepa, offering remarks on the book, highlighted that Where The Light Finds Us captures generational struggles, from the devastation of drug abuse in the 1980s and 90s to contemporary social issues. She praised A Grandmother’s Tale for its storytelling, likening it to Naga oral traditions. “As you read the story, you can’t help but feel like you are actually listening to the story told by grandmother,” she said.
The book also revisits the global pandemic, offering a reflection on past hardships and a warning for the future.
“Where the light finds us,” she said, is a “guarantee to give every reader experiences no other book outside of Nagaland can offer”
“It is one of the few books I could finish in one go. I loved reading it. It is unpredictable. Every story in the book has something important to tell. It is bound to provoke your thoughts and I hope it will provoke your actions to bringing more hope and paving the way for light for healing of broken people and for healing the world,” she added.
Yirmiyan Arthur Yhome, Asia-Pacific Deputy Director, The Associated Press, and founder of The Book Home Library Kohima, who was the special guest of the event, released the book. She commended the author’s contribution to the Naga literature and her resilience in promoting reading culture and local writers.
Also Read | Oil could fuel Nagaland’s economy, but state faces several obstacles