The Writers Collective Kohima hosted the third edition of ‘Unscripted’ on Saturday, June 4 at The Bookhome on Billy Graham Road, Kohima, bringing together writers, literature enthusiasts and interns of PenThrill Publication House for an afternoon dedicated to storytelling, conversations and creative dialogue. The programme aimed to highlight the significance of oral storytelling in preserving the rich oral literature, history and culture of the Nagas.
The event was chaired by Dr Avinuo Kire, author, poet and member of the Writers Collective. In her introductory remarks, Dr Vizovonuo Elizabeth, General Secretary of the Writers Collective, traced the evolution of Unscripted. She explained that the first two editions were held under the title Open Book before being renamed Unscripted to better reflect its vision of fostering Naga oral literature and storytelling.
The highlight of the programme was a storytelling session by Naga elder Medoselhou Keretsü, who captivated the audience with narratives on cultural practices, marriage as a sacred bond, rituals and beliefs surrounding the afterlife, the judgement of spirits and belief in the supernatural.
A question-and-answer session followed, during which participants interacted with the speaker and discussed the importance of oral storytelling.
At the conclusion of the programme, two outgoing interns of PenThrill Publication House were presented with certificates in recognition of successfully completing their internship. The event ended with closing remarks by the chairperson, who thanked the guest speaker, participants and attendees for contributing to the success of the programme.
