HomeLiteratureDr. Senganglu Thaimei's 'Birds, Beasts, and Blooms' Launched Virtually: A Fusion of...

Dr. Senganglu Thaimei’s ‘Birds, Beasts, and Blooms’ Launched Virtually: A Fusion of Proverbs and Art

Published on

An illustrated book of international proverbs, titled “Birds, Beasts, and Blooms,” compiled and illustrated by Dr. Senganglu Thaimei, was launched in an online event hosted by Barkweaver Publications on March 15, 2024. The book is a collection of wise sayings in English translation from various countries worldwide. It is a set of proverbs with plant and animal imagery that succinctly articulate rich insights on common human traits. The wisdom drawn from the natural world is brought to life by the author’s own artworks.

Dr. Senganglu Thaimei is a visual artist and a paremiologist or proverb scholar. All the illustrations in the book were created during her Fulbright year in Vermont, USA, while doing her post-doctoral research on proverbs. She holds a PhD in the oral tradition of the Rongmei, an indigenous community in India. The book launch event was well-attended by people from across the country and folklore scholars from different countries. Among them was Wolfgang Mieder – Professor Emeritus of Folklore and German, University of Vermont, USA – arguably the foremost proverb scholar in the world. In his speech, he talks about the long history of the relationship between art and proverbs. Tracing from the 16th-century proverb-inspired artworks to modern art forms translated from well-known adages, he stated that proverbial metaphors are verbal images. He mentioned that Dr. Thaimei’s work is an important contribution to both proverb studies and art history. He added that the book, with a collection from different cultures and civilizations, is a welcome addition as it brings out the universal humanity in a time when the world is getting increasingly divided.

The author and illustrator, Dr. Thaimei, maintains that there are several aspects to engage with proverbs, but two are foundational in proverb studies – paremiology, which involves defining proverbs, proverb features, origin, collection, etc., and paremiography, a sub-field of paremiology that involves the collection and writing of proverbs. She said the book belongs to the arena of international paremiography.

The book was released by Dr. Veio Pou, the author of the novel “Waiting for the Dust to Settle” (2020), in the presence of Easterine Kire, the well-known author, and poet. The event culminated with the last word from the moderator, Shelmi Sankhil, where he stated that the book could be considered an important text for comparative literature as it contains the idea of wisdom from various nations while it also speaks of a common human condition.

True to Barkweaver Publications’ intention to promote independent book sellers and local bookshops in Northeast India, “Birds, Beasts, and Blooms” is available in the Common Room, White Owl, and on their Instagram handle Barkweaver Online Bookshop [Click HERE] Or reach out to the author to get a copy.”

Latest articles

Manipur’s Lukanand Kshetrimayum to Debut in Historical Film Birangana Xaadhani

Imphal, Aug 18: Mister International India 2019 and Mister International 2022 titleholder, Lukanand Kshetrimayum...

Awunching Park: Manipur’s Hidden Natural Retreat Near Imphal

Imphal, August 16: Just 15 kilometers from Imphal city lies Awunching Park, a breathtaking...

Manipur’s Sporting Spirit Shines through Grit and Glory

Imphal: In the world of sports, Manipur is fast emerging as a land of...

Road Development Projects in Ukhrul: A Call for Quality, Accountability and Delivery

THE RECENT news of road development projects in Ukhrul being put on hold due...

More like this

Awunching Park: Manipur’s Hidden Natural Retreat Near Imphal

Imphal, August 16: Just 15 kilometers from Imphal city lies Awunching Park, a breathtaking...

PPFA lauds naming city flyover with Prithu Maharaj

Guwahati: Commending Assam government for deciding to name the under-construction Dighalipukhuri–Noonmati flyover in the...

Nagaland Mourns: CM Neiphiu Rio and State Leaders Attend Funeral of Governor La Ganesan

Kohima, August 17: Led by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, a team representing the...