Sentilong Ozukum, author of Teacher Man with Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, DC Mokokchung and Rev Takatemjen after the release of the book at Urban Hub café, Mokokchung on December 1. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | December 1
Sentilong Ozukum’s fifth book and fourth novel ‘Teacher Man’ was released on 01 December at Urban Hub Café, Mokokchung by Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung.
At the release programme, Bendangrenla S Longkumer, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Fazl Ali College, gave a review of the book. ‘Perhaps the greatest asset of any fiction writer is the relatable factor and Sentilong seems to effortlessly succeed in doing this, book after book, and Teacher Man is no exception,’ she said.
She added that Teacher Man is your quintessential coming of age story sprinkled with a heavy dose of realism where Shisa the protagonist takes on a journey to find purpose and meaning in life. She went on to say that the protagonist’s journey in the novel speaks to the contemporary youth trapped in a system that seems to work only against their aspirations and dreams.
“In terms of literary merit, the author is consistent in the way he conjures up fresh metaphors and giving them a distinct “local taste” to it. The use of the colloquial and the everyday language as spoken by Nagas adds an element of authenticity, distinctiveness and particularity”, she remarked.
She concluded by saying that as an author, he is so much more than the armchair philosopher that plagues our society because anyone who knows the author also knows his actions in the real world add weight and gravitas to the fiction he weaves.
Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung after the release said that Sentilong Ozukum’s books are an honest and sincere effort to bring changes in speedy manner through fiction. He said that his book is not a fiction but a hard reality, a satirical way of portraying the society. He also went on to say that we are the ones who built the system we are in and that we are responsible for the sorry state of affair.
The author had a conversation with Dhritishree Bordalai where interesting and apt questions were raised and answered by the author. The dedicatory prayer for the book was pronounced by Rev Dr Takatemjen.
