Speak Your Roots

Tag: art

  • Tynrai by Mario Pathaw

    Tynrai

    "Tynrai" is a Khasi term which means "Roots".

    This is a story written and illustrated by Pascal Mario Kmenlang Pathaw (Mario Pathaw).

    Mario says:

    It talks about the need of living in harmony with nature. The living root bridge of Nohwet, Meghalaya is the prime source of inspiration for this concept and the graphic novel takes shape in the form of a conversation between a grandfather and his granddaughter. The grandfather uses a tale as a tool to mentor her in preserving the living Root bridge. This tale also has bits and parcels of the indigenous practices, social structure, folk creatures and beliefs of the Khasi tribe.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

    Tynrai (Roots) written and illustrated by @mario_pathaw (2022) is an English graphic novel which tells a story by fusing indigenous Khasi practices, focussing on the living root bridge with other aspects of Khasi folklore. Mario Pathaw's characteristic art lends depth and beauty to the narrative, drawing from the Khasi cultural imagination, echoing preservation and sustainability 🌲🏞️

    Ka jingaikhublei ïa phi @mario_pathaw ïa kane ka jingpynwandur kaba shynna bad shoh jingmut 😃👏 Nang kiew shaphrang ha ka kam ka jam bad ka sap ka phong jong phi!

  • Shape shifters by Mario Pathaw

    Mario says: "Shape shifters are popular figures in myths and folktales around the world. In Japan and China, foxes assume human form to bedevil the unwary. In Brazil, the river dolphin Boto can turn into a boy and many Native American cultures have stories of "skin-walkers”. In Ireland, there is a myth which talks about the man wolves of Ossory."

    "This concept is also very popular in the Khasi tribe and there are tales and myths about the shape shifters of my clan, The Pathaw clan. According to the tales passed down from my great grandmother, the men of the Pathaw clan leave their bodies in a seemingly lifeless state while their spirits travel and roam around as the "Khla" (Tigers/ Leopards). The Khasi tribe describes a brave warrior as "U Khla Wait" (attributing to the fighting spirit of the Khla) and my mother describes our Pathaw men as warriors and protectors of the family."

    🐯…….🐯…….🐯