International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Glimpses of Aizawl City Through Songs

Literature is a window to the world whether it is a novel, drama or songs. It projects the people and the city of the time it is written. Information regarding the landscape, the culture and its people are reflected through literature which may have been passed on orally or through writing. The paper aims at depicting the city of Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram located in the northeast of India. The dwellers are mostly Mizo and the official language is English and Mizo. There are also sub-tribes of the Mizo using their own languages. Mizo people are fervent singers, songs which have been passed on through generations tells the story of the land and the people. Mizo songs that expose the city will be discussed which are not many. Aizawl is often reffered to as “Zawlkhawpui” meaning Aizawl city. It was under the British rule gaining its statehood in 1986. Therefore traces of the turbulence within the state of Mizoram will also be included in the essay. The insurgency movement within the state left several impacts upon the land its people. The landscape, the people and political upheaval will be mentioned through songs selected for the study. The works of poets such as Rokunga, Lalsangzuali and others will be examined to glean information regarding the city of Aizawl. Key words: Mizoram. Aizawl city. Mizo songs. Zawlkhawpui. Rokunga. Lalsangzuali