Chandel: The releasing programme of the Monsang Folk Songs also known as ‘Sirti Kastam Lha‘ was held at Monsang Pantha village community hall, Chandel on Saturday. The event was organized by the Committee on Monsang Folk Songs in collaboration with Sirti Upa Ruh (SUR). The programme was moderated by Upa Ts. Monichung Monsang, Finance Secretary, SUR.
The book was officially released by Upa Ng. Benithan Monsang, President SUR, the apex body of the Monsang tribe in the presence of Upa Ng. Johnson, catechist HCCC Monsang Pantha who attended the releasing ceremony as blessing minister.
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Senior leaders of the Monsang community from various walks of life attended the release ceremony of the book. Upa Sh. Manglem, Ex-ADC Member, Upa Ts. Kothar (Former CEO ADC Chandel) Upa G. Khartu, Chairman, Sirti Eruwng Ruh (Monsang Chief Association), Sanuw W. Chancila, President Sirti Sanuw Ruh (SSR) Sapa K. Gedion, President Sirti Thiimjiitam Sourkhe (STS), Upa Ts. Angchung, Secretary Monsang Language and Literature Society (MLLS), Sapa Wanglar Thiirtung, President Monsang Sporting Association (MOSA), Upa Dr. Sh. Wilson, Food Safety Officer Chandel also attended the programme among others.
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Upa Ng. Benithan, Presidemt SUR congratulated Dr. Sh. Frnacis Monsang (chief editor) and his co-editors namely Ts. Warshing, Ng. Rameson and (Late) Ts. Andrew Kolarshing for their tireless efforts in bringing out the much-needed book on Monsang folk songs in a written form.
It is an asset for the community from a literature perspective and may inspire younger generations as the community needs academic research and publication works across various disciplines in future, he reiterated.
Chief Editor of the book, Dr. Sh. Francis Monsang, who is presently teaching at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (Linguistics) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) in his briefing about the book during the ceremony mentions that the purpose of the book is to make a systematic study and document the pristine beauty and rich folk songs of the Monsang Naga tribe and make them available to the Monsang community as well as to others.
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He further added that the importance of the book stems from the very fact that Monsang folk songs need to be documented and that Monsang traditional folk singers and elders who have preserved these folk songs from the time of their forefathers are gradually passing away.
Upa Ng. Johnson, catechist HCCC, Monsang Pantha in his blessing prayer for the book echoes an analogy of the book with the book of Psalms from the holy text as far as inclusiveness of history, culture, tradition, beliefs and ways of Monsang ancient lifestyle was and is concerned.
The programme filled with congratulations and best wishes from leaders and well-wishers concluded with a beautiful singing of the Monsang folk songs by Monsang Pantha folk song singers followed by Monsang traditional customary refreshment known as ‘Sha Thanshii’.
