Mizo Academy of Letters

Mizo Academy of Letters
AbbreviationMAL
Formation23 April 1964 (1964-04-23)
PurposePromotion and preservation of Mizo literature
HeadquartersAizawl, Mizoram, India
Official language
Mizo
Websitemizoacademyofletters.com

The Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) is a literary organisation based in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, dedicated to the promotion and preservation of literature in the Mizo language[1][2]. It administers several of the main literary awards for Mizo writers and publishes the monthly literary journal Thu leh Hla.[3]

History

The Mizo Academy of Letters was founded on 23 April 1964.[3] Its founding secretary was J. Malsawma, who served in that role during 1964–65.[4] Mizo is a Tibeto-Burman language that has been written in the Roman script since Christian missionaries introduced it in 1894.[5] The academy has its main office in Aizawl and a joint headquarters in Lunglei.[6][7] As of 2022 it had 367 members, along with 3 donor members and 58 life members, and oversaw several affiliated literature clubs in Mizoram and Myanmar, including the Mizo Writers Association, SEDAL, Ramhlun Literature Club, Chhimtuipui Academy of Letters, Saitual Literature Club, Lawngtlai Academy of Letters and Letpanchhawng Duhlian Literature Club.[3] In November 2024 the academy marked its diamond jubilee, or 60th anniversary. As part of the celebration it held a book fair from 25 to 29 November 2024, at which about 2,975 books were sold across twelve dedicated publishers' and authors' stalls and a committee stall.[8][9]

Publication

The academy publishes Thu leh Hla[10] (lit. "Words and Songs"), a monthly literary journal that carries stories, articles, essays, poems and criticism in Mizo[11][12]. Each issue runs to 48 pages and sells for ₹20, with an annual subscription of ₹200.[3]

Awards

The Mizo Academy Award is presented by the academy to a Mizo writer for a distinguished contribution to Mizo literature[13]. It was first given in 1979, to the writer and historian Rev. Liangkhaia,[14] and has since been awarded at intervals of several years rather than annually.[3] Recipients include James Dokhuma (1983) and Lalthangfala Sailo (2019), the thirteenth recipient of the award.[14][3]

The Pu Buanga Award is described as the academy's highest literary award.[15][16] It is named after Rev. J. H. Lorrain, known in Mizo as "Pu Buanga", one of the missionaries who devised the written form of the Mizo language in 1894.[17] First presented in 2000, it was awarded every five years, and every three years since 2015; it carries a cash prize of ₹10,000 with a trophy and citation.[6] Its recipients are Lalsangzuali Sailo (2000), B. Lalthangliana (2005), Laltluangliana Khiangte (2010), Lalthangfala Sailo (2015), R. K. Lalhluna (2018) and R. L. Thanmawia (2022).[6]

The Book of the Year award[18][19] has been presented annually since 1989 to the best book published in the Mizo language.[3][20][21] It carries a cash prize of ₹10,000, a citation and a one-year subscription to Thu leh Hla, with a committee selecting the winner from the Mizo books published in the previous year.[3] Recipients include Lalsangzuali Sailo, for Tlawm ve lo Lalnu Ropuiliani (1999),[22] Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte (2021) and Zohmangaihi (2022).[23]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MAL chu '(Mizo Academy of Letters) Mizo Thu leh Hla Inpui' tih a ni tawh dawn". zalen.in. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "MAL chu '(Mizo Academy of Letters) Mizo Thu leh Hla Inpui' tih a ni tawh dawn". zalen.in. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "MAL 58th Foundation Day Report" (in Mizo). Mizo Academy of Letters. April 2022.
  4. ↑ Guptā, Ramaṇikā (2014). Indigenous Voices: An Anthology of Literature from the Margins. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180693007.
  5. ↑ Thar, Bu. "History of Mizo literature". bharatavani.in. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Lunglei ah Pu Buanga Award hlanna inkhawm neih a ni" (in Mizo). Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Mizoram. October 2022.
  7. ↑ Colney, Kimi (11 March 2026). "Why the Mizo language's constitutional recognition is sparking debate". EastMojo. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "MAL Diamond Jubilee Pual Pho Chhuah Runpui Report" (in Mizo). Mizo Academy of Letters. 1 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "MAL-in lehkhabu 'Pho Chhuah Runpui' buatsaih". zalen.in. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Lalfakzuala, -Benry (24 February 2026). "Vanglaini - Mizo thu leh hla hmakhua by - Benry Lalfakzuala". vanglaini.org. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Lalzahawma, -Centenary C. (17 July 2026). "Vanglaini - THU LEH HLA HLUTNA by - Centenary C. Lalzahawma". vanglaini.org. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Thu leh Hla". Mizo Academy of Letters. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "'Kham leh Suar' Wins Mizo Academy of Letters Book of the Year 2025 Award". The Northeast Post | News & Stories from Northeast India. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Mizo Academy Award 2019: Pu Lalthangfala Sailo hnenah hlan a ni" (in Mizo). Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Mizoram. 22 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Explore the Notable Literary Figures of Mizoram". India Today NE. 20 March 2024.
  16. ↑ PTI (22 July 2026). "Lalduhoma calls for more Mizo content online, wider translation of Mizo literature". ThePrint. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Writings in Mizo Manuscripts" (PDF). National Mission for Manuscripts, Government of India.
  18. ↑ "Mizoram has 363 novels in 70 yrs - The Shillong Times". 11 November 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Art & Culture Minister-in Mizo Academy of Letters kum tawp inkhawm a hmanpui". Explore Mizoram.
  20. ↑ "Mizo Academy of Letters Lehkhabu tha zuol 20 thlang". VIRTHLI. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Book of the Year-a Top 3". Lenkawl. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Lalsangzuali Sailo".
  23. ↑ Zadeng, Rinfela (26 April 2023). "Lehkhabu thlirna: MAL Book of The Year 2022" (in Mizo). Vanglaini.
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