Guideline for common usage of Hmar language writing pattern to be set up
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, December 07 2013 : In a bid to farther the progress of Hmar literature and to bring a common usage on Hmar language writing pattern, a tripartite consultative literary meeting was held today at I & PR Conference Hall, Aizawl by Hmar intellectuals and leaders from Assam, Manipur and Mizoram.

Organized and overseen by Hmar Literature Society, Mizoram, the Hmar Literature Society (HLS) meet of three North eastern states including Assam, Manipur and Mizoram held under the sponsorship of Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) was attended by several Hmar Intellectual leaders from Assam, Manipur and Mizoram.

The meeting widely discussed on the need for protecting Hmar language and the expansion of Hmar literature thereof.

The controversial issue of having common writing pattern of Hmar language had also been widely discussed during the meeting.

Four well known academicians among Hmar- Prof..LRuoivel Pangamte, HLS, Manipur and Vice Principal of Churachanpur College, Prof.Lal Dena, Dr.Tluonga Bapui and Rev.Dr.Hrilrokhum Thiek had paper presentation during the literary meet.

Addressing the meeting, Rev.Dr.Hrilrokhum Thiek, adviser Hmar Literature Society, Assam said the Hmar literature and language has been one of the fast developing Language among Chin-Mizo-Kuki tribes.

" It has been a matter a satisfaction and appreciation that the Hmar language could have been introduced as MIL subject in Assam and Manipur Universities.

The credit of the evolution of Hmar alphabet largely goes to the English Missionaries", he said.

Stressing on the need for protection of Hmar Language Rev.Dr.Hrilrokhum Thiek said language served as the identity of a nation and it is a sort of blessing that the Hmar language have been survive through ages and remained protected due to the exemplary works of Hmar intellectuals and political leaders.

Hmingchungnunga, Chairman, SHDC in his inaugural speech thanked Hmar Literature Society, Mizoram for organizing such intellectual meet which is the first if its kind among Hmar People.

He, however, regret for the non-implementation of Mizoram-HPC accord (1994) which envisages about the introduction of Hmar subject at Primary School level in SHDC area.

Presenting a paper on the topic- 'Grammatical Structure of Hmar Language', Prof..LRuoivel Pangamte mentioned that Hmar is a language spoken largely by two akh people who scatter in almost all the states of North Eastern states.

Majority speakers of Hmar language settled in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

"The Hmar which belonged to the Tibeto-Burman group of family do not have letter of their own alphabet to transcript their language into a written form.

It was only after their conversion to Christianity that they became exposed to the art of reading and writing", he added.

The adoption of Lushai alphabet for writing Hmar language was the beginning of the birth of written Hmar Literature.

Like other languages of the world, the Hmar language has its own grammar.

The Hmar language like English has 8 parts of speech, mentioned Prof..LRuoivel Pangamte.

In another paper presentation, Dr.Tluonga Bapui, the Secy of HLS, Assam said the Hmar has their own written language since time immemorial which is evidently indicated in Linguistic Survey of India done under the leadership of G.A Grierson in 1935.The Hmar language had been put into written form and was introduced as school subject much earlier before 1928, , Dr.Tluonga Bapui claimed.

Former Head of Department, History Manipur University Prof.Lal Dena in his paper- 'Hmar Literature: its genesis and Growth through the Ages' said though devoid of letters to express their feelings and impressions of life, the Hmar has a poetic bent of mind and employed verses to narrate their likes and dislikes, their joys and sorrows, their memorable adventures and experiences in the course of their wandering from China to their present habitats in different parts of North East India.

These verses were treasured in the storeroom of their memory and were orally transmitted from generation to generation, Lal Dena said.

According to Prof.Lal Dena, the first publication of Hmar language was the Gospel of St.

John and the Independent Church Hymn Book (Independent Hlabu) in 1921 and 1923 respectively.

The intellectuals and leaders of Hmar community also made several resolutions related to literatry promotion such as making guideline line for common usage of Hmar language writing pattern, establishing Coordination Committee for the three Hmar Literature Societies- Assam, Manipur and Mizoram and publishing Hmar Syllabus on National Curriculum Framework for use in University, College and Schools.

The literary meeting was followed by book release entitle ''Mizo Folktales" written by Prof.Lal Dena and ''Hnam Ro (Handloom, Clothes & Musical Instruments of Hmar Tribe) " written by Lalthankunga Hmar.

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