ITANAGAR, Jan 30: The Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the demise of the first writer from the state, Tagang Taki, who passed away on Sunday at his residence at Pangin, Siang district due to old age related ailments. He was 83.
Born on 10th February 1940 to late Tapu Taki and late Yago Taki of Pangin village, late Tagang Taki was the first writer from Arunachal Pradesh who wrote and published the first book of the state namely “Adi Asomiya Engraji Sabdamda” in 1959 at the age of 19 years.
He was also the first linguist, first lyricist, and first dramatist from the state. He was the first editor of a handwritten school magazine published by Pasighat Govt High School named “Giribani”.
A multilingual writer, later Taki wrote in Adi, Assamese and English equally.
His book “Nib Aru Robor Sadhu” was published by Assam Publication Board which became a very popular folk story book. His published books are “Adi Asomiya Engraji Sabdamda” (1959), “Simantar Jui” (drama) (1962), “Ahbaan- NEFA Adi-Mishing Chatra Samajoloi” (1968), “Adi Sadhu” (1964), “Prashad Opsaran” (drama) (1966-67), “Nib Aru Robor Sadhu” (1964) in Assamese and “Adi English Word Book” (1971), “Adi Doolung Kidii lok Deere Gumin Soyin” (2011), “Ang-gong Yoting” (anthology of poems in Adi language) (2012) and “The Solung Festival” (in English) (1980).
APLS president Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi and general secretary Mukul Pathak termed his death an irreparable loss to the state and the void created by his death cannot be filled ever.
“His name will be written in golden letters in the annals of the literary history of Arunachal Pradesh,” Thongchi said.
Late Tagang Taki dedicated his entire life to bring renaissance for Adi society in particular and tribal society in the whole of Arunachal Pradesh. He had done various excellent works such as his composed song "Mimum Yaame noluwa banbo nyamne noluwa” was recorded in the year 1963 at the Shillong station of All India Radio. This was the first Arunachalee modern song so far recorded in an AIR studio.
During his days in Cotton College, and Gauhati University, he published his short stories, articles and folktales in ‘Navajug’, ‘Natun Asomia’, ‘Assam Bani’, ‘Deepak’, ‘Janambhumi’ and many renowned Assamese magazines during 1960’s.
He is a recipient of Bhasha Samman Award of Sahitya Akademi in 2015. He also received the lone literary award of the state, “Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award, 2019” awarded by the apex literary body, APLS.