Arunachal: Storytellers bring Amar Chitra Katha stories to life
TEZU: Book lovers here in Lohit district were treated to a feast of storytelling at the first Amar Chitra Katha storytelling contest, themed ‘Hero(ine) I admire’, as students of Class 6 to 10 from six schools vied with one another to regale and inspire the audience on Saturday.
The event was organised by the Bamboosa Library and the Forum of Library Activists to pay tributes to renowned Amar Chitra katha script writer late Kamala Chandrakant and journalist Mypalli Chandrakant of Mumbai. DTO Dr Asmi Mega and GHSS No 2V teacher Arindam Sarkar acted as the judges.
Lauding the participants for their spirited performance, Dr Mega said that the experience of participating in such events would help them life-long. Sarkar, himself a dynamic library activist, felt that similar sessions to train students in each school could greatly enhance the learning skills of students.
DACO Bitchey Rijiju commended the performances, and advised the participants to speak from their hearts rather than memorise a story.
Introducing eminent Amar Chitra Katha writer Kamala Chandrakant, the Lohit Youth Library Network coordinator fondly recalled his five decades of association with her and the mentoring he received from her in his early writing activities.
“Kamala aunty was an ever energetic personality, and it is due to her spirited support that I could write the story of Kanaklata as part of an Amar Chitra Katha title in the early 1980s – the very first time thatKanaklata’s inspiring story appeared in a nationallypopular children’s publication. Even after the start of Bamboosa Library, she remained an ardent early patron of the youth library movement,” the coordinator said.
In the stiffly contested junior group, Solong Krong, (Class 7, Nimkay Vidya Niketan) won the first prize, while the 2nd prize was shared by Ome Olung Tatak and Kalung Odi (both Class 6, VKV Sunpura), and the 3rd prize went to Rehanso Kathak (Nimkay Vidya Niketan).
In the senior group, Arpita Ram (Class 10, GHSS No1) won the first prize with a brilliant narration on Dr Varghese Kurien, while the 2nd place was won by Kanyan Jami Kham (Class 10, VKV Sunpura) and the 3rd place was won by Asni Yun (Class 9, VKV Tafrogam).
Manisha Halai, senior volunteer and ace storyteller, thanked Maharishikaa Preeti of Goa, daughter of Kamala Chandrakant, for sponsoring the annual contest in memory of her parents. She also lauded the teachers of the schools and the parents of the participants for encouraging their children to experiment with innovative activities like a storytelling contest.
