MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies MZU JOURNAL OF LITERATURE AND CULTURAL STUDIES An Annual Refereed Journal Volume IV Issue 1 ISSN:2348-1188 Editor : Dr. Cherrie Lalnunziri Chhangte Editorial Board: Prof. Margaret Ch.Zama Prof. Sarangadhar Baral Prof. Margaret L.Pachuau Dr. Lalrindiki T. Fanai Dr. K.C. Lalthlamuani Dr. Kristina Z. Zama Dr. Th. Dhanajit Singh Advisory Board: Prof. Jharna Sanyal, University of Calcutta Prof. Ranjit Devgoswami,Gauhati University Prof. Desmond Kharmawphlang, NEHU Shillong Prof. B.K. Danta, Tezpur University Prof. R. Thangvunga, Mizoram University Prof. R.L. Thanmawia, Mizoram University Published by the Department of English, Mizoram University. 1 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies 2 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies FOREWORD The present issue of MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies has encapsulated the eclectic concept of culture and its dynamics, especially while pertaining to the enigma that it so often strives to be. The complexities within varying paradigms, that seek to determine the significance of ideologies and the hegemony that is often associated with the same, convey truly that the old must seek to coexist, in more ways than one with the new. The contentions, keenly raised within the pages of the journal seek to establish too, that a dual notion of cultural hybridity that is so often particular to almost every community has sought too, to establish a voice. Voices that may be deemed ‘minority’ undoubtedly, yet expressed in tones that are decidedly clear and vivid. The issues that have been argued within the framework of the journal raise many significant queries: what would culture studies be, bereft of the vast dynamics of shifting paradigms and interpretations within the framework of deliberation and debate? What are the considerations that one must appropriate to aspects of morality, folklore, religion and memory? Can identity, (always in a flux), ever be bereft of its politics of location and (dis)location? Is integration a requisite, and what are the ways in which one can achieve of the same? Would creative writing and translation bring about the much needed bridge towards carving new interpretations on identity? 3 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies Even as contributors have deliberated in earnest over varying perspectives situated on culture studies from interdisciplinary stances, this well edited journal brings to focus a reinterpretation of ‘concrete’ archetypes within the framework of an eclectic deviant. Margaret L.Pachuau Professor and Head Department of English,MZU 4 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies EDITORIAL It gives me immense pleasure to present the June 2017 issue of the MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies, which had its launch in 2014. Within this short span of time, the Journal has evolved into a space for critical enquiry and creative expression of the many facets of literature and culture, spanning across a wide array of issues and perspectives related to these. The current issue addresses various aspects of literature and culture from the diverse viewpoints of language, popular culture, folk culture, modernity and its implications, textiles and similar forms of folk art, media and politics, gender issues, and poetry. I am grateful for the huge response that I have received to the call for papers from scholars and academicians who have contributed from different parts of the country. Their varied and valuable insights into the dynamics of literary studies, culture, and identity of Northeast India and beyond have no doubt immensely enriched the existing scholarship these areas. It is our hope this issue helps readers gain fresh perspectives and that the Journal continues to facilitate discussion and dialogues on various areas of literary and cultural studies. Dr. Cherrie L. Chhangte Editor 5 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies 6 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies CONTENTS 1. Integration through Language .................................. 9 Margaret Ch.Zama 2. Mapping the Literary Contours of North-East India ..... 19 Watitula Longkumer& Prof. Nirmala Menon 3. Rearticulating Bollywood: Through the .................. 39 Indigenous Lens of the North East. DebashreeDattaray 4. The Adventures of Chhura...................................... 51 Margaret L. Pachuau 5. On the Road with Neil Gaiman’s American Gods: ..... 69 An Exploration into the Heart of America. Vanlalveni 6. The Voice of a Contemporary Poet from the .......... 79 Abode of the Clouds: Decoding the Mosaic Amanda Basaiawmoit 7. Everyday Life in an Old Age Home in Assam......... 91 AparajitaDuttaHazarika 8. Contestations of Neoliberalism in ........................ 107 One Night @ The Call Center. Phillia L. Khiangte 9. Comics from North-East India: A Brief Study ...... 123 Bibiana Ryntathiang & Joshua Rynjah 10. Awakening the Moral Implications ....................... 134 Through Heroes in Mizo Folktales Jamie Zodinsangi Hrahsel 11. Adoption of Khuang: A triumph of Mizo ............... 146 Traditional Music T. Vanlal Remruat Tonson 7 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies 12. Locating Print in Mizo Culture ............................. 159 L.V Lalrintluangi 13. Folk Religious and Cultural Beliefs: Practices ..... 173 and Festivals among Chain Community of West Bengal. ChanchalAdhikary 14. Memory, Identity and Politics of (dis) location: .... 205 Loss of Cultural Memory in the Poems of two Bodo Poets. Dr. Anil Boro & Pranab Jyoti Narzary 15. Puanchei as an Art Form: A Brief Introduction ..... 216 Rosaline Varsangzuali 16. Spinning Tales and Weaving Memories- .............. 235 Mising Women as Repositories of Culture: An Ethno-Feministic perspective. Dr. Neeta Lagachu (Taye) 17. Translation of “Dombipā” and “MādhabiDāsi” ... 245 SarangadharBaral 18. Media in Conflict Transformation and .................. 250 Peace Process: An Academic Inquest Uttam Kr Pegu 19. Radical Feminist Discourse: Swerving ................. 265 Ideologies and Shifting Paradigms Rabindra K. Mohanty 20. In the Shadow of Homi Bhabha: Cultural ............. 294 Hybridization within the Gorkha Community in Mizoram ShraddhaSubba 21. Your Words at My Feet ........................................ 310 Dr. Kristina Z. Zama 8 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies Integration through Language Prof. Margaret Ch. Zama Department of English Mizoram University It is a true that language is a crucial unifying factor for people across the globe regardless of race, creed or colour. The further one strays from the location of one’s roots, the greater the affinity found with persons one can converse with in one’s own language. And yet, when the subject - “Integration through Language” becomes the focus of discussion, I believe it is important to pause and give a thought to what language is it that we are referring to in the first place – one’s mother tongue, the vernacular, the official language, or global English? And as for ‘integration’ - which is a politically laden word these days, it could mean anything from integration as a nation, as a community, or integration of an ethnic group. In the light of the above, I hope to throw up some aspects of the language debate on the whole to help one see that for a country like India in particular, any attempt to achieve integration through language will invariably also have to address issues of linguistic identity at the national, regional or ethnic levels. I begin with a quote from Joga Singh regarding the one nation – one language myth : The colonial concept that a nation-state requires a single unifying language has influenced policy makers in many parts of the world, yet imposition of a so-called “neutral” foreign language has not necessarily resulted in unity, nor have MZU JLCS June 2017, ISSN 2348­1188 9 MZU Journal of Literature and Cultural Studies relatively monolingual countries like Somalia, Burundi or Rwanda been guaranteed stability. In fact, government failure to accept ethnolinguistic diversity has been a major destabilizing force in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka (9) According to many linguists, two trends are distinctly visible in the contemporary language scenario – one, the diminishing usage, prestige and dominance of English and two, the rising importance of languages other than English in all domains of language use. Of course, only time will tell if this will prove true in the case of India where the dominance of the Hindi language is being privileged more than ever before. It is also true that due to commercial compulsions and globalization, most countries of the world are presently engaged in learning the languages of other countries. The conservation or preservation of languages is significantly different from the preservation of monuments and ancient artifacts. Languages are social systems and do not have an existence free of the human consciousness. Therefore, a given language cannot be dissociated from the community that uses it. “Quite logically, therefore, preservation of a language entails the preservation of the community that puts that language in circulation.” (PLSI pamphlet, 3). Between the collective consciousness of a given community or ethnic group, and the language it uses to articulate this consciousness, is situated what is described as the ‘world view’ of that community which often is the essence of the roots of one’s culture which in turn, is absolutely essential for cultural studies. In the light of the above observations,