IMPHAL, Feb 15: Naorem Khagendra Singh of Khagempalli Pankha was conferred the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Prizes for Translation 2015 after the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi which met at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, today and approved selection of 23 books.
The current Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture and also the president of Cultural Forum, Manipur, Naorem Khagendra was awarded for his translation of a novel ‘Hajar Chourasir Ma’ by Mahasweta Devi in Manipuri titled ‘Lishing ama Supna Mariphumarigi Mama’.
In an interaction with media persons today at his residence, Khagendra expressed his happiness after being conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Translator Award. He stated that the translation works started from 1980 but due to other engagements, he could complete in the year 2011/12.
The book was published by the Cultural Forum, Manipur. Further he said that the books were selected on the basis of recommendations made by the Selection Committees of three members each in the concerned languages in accordance with the rules and procedure laid down for the purpose.
The Prize carries an amount of Rs.50,000 and a copper plaque which will be presented to the translators of each of these books at a special function to be held sometime later this year, he added.
Secretary of the Cultural Forum, Manipur Khwairakpam Sunita also attended the interaction session.