Author and poet Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih a popular choice

Fifth day of the book fair had other events to offer to children

IH News Desk

NATIONAL, October 09, 2024: At the 2nd edition of the Shillong Book Fair, Khasi author and poet Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih has been a popular choice among book lovers. The National Book Agency, which has a stall at the fair, has sold about 50 copies of Nongkynrih's 2007 book, "Around the Hearth," a collection of Khasi folktales.

The book has been in high demand due to Meghalaya's tourism-centric state and people wanting to know more about the place and its people. Nongkynrih's latest book, "The Distaste of the Earth: A Journey into the Heart of the City," has also been on buyers' lists and has been long listed for the prestigious JCB Prize for Literature 2024.

Other books by Nongkynrih include "Khasi Heritage: A Collection of Essays on Khasi Religion and Culture," "Mei" by Raphael Warjri, "Tales of Darkness & Light" by Janet Hujon, "Khasi Ethics" by Barnes L Mawrie, "Ha Yupiam Ka Bei (On Mother’s Lap)" by singer and lyricist Amabel Susngi, and "Notes on Walking Around Shillong" by W Allsup. Books in the Khasi language and those authored by Khasis have seen impressive sales so far.

The fifth day of the book fair had other events to offer to children and adults including folk dance performances by students of Seng Khasi Higher Secondary School and Mawngap Christian Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, a session on puppet-making, and a book discussion on "Basketry: Everyday Art of North East India" by Dr Desmond L Kharmawphlang.

The tempo at the book fair picked up in the evening with musical performances, with Really Lyngskor and group setting the mood with their drum ensemble and an electrifying performance by Summersault.

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