Jubilee Memorial College (JMC) launched its lecture series with an inaugural lecture by writer, journalist and Padma Shri awardee T. Senka Ao on “Writing and Society: Perspectives from Nagaland”.
Speaking on the writing process, Ao stressed the importance of understanding language and culture while representing people and their experiences. Drawing from the Naga context, he highlighted the challenges of writing across tribal cultures, particularly where words, ideas and cultural experiences may have no direct equivalents in another language.
He also discussed challenges in writing in the Ao language, including the absence of an indigenous script, and noted that literary forms such as drama and short stories require different creative approaches.
During an interaction moderated by Semester V student Sashikumzuk Rongsen Longkumer, Ao reflected on his well-known character Alokba and spoke about how a writer’s work develops through accumulated knowledge, reading, ideas and experiences.
The discussion also covered the future of Ao and other Naga languages, preservation of cultural identity in a globalising world, and the role of educational institutions in sustaining indigenous languages.
The programme was attended by students and faculty and concluded with a closing address and vote of thanks by Vice Principal Akumyala.