IMPHAL, Feb 25: The Manipur State Award for Literature, 2010 which carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh and a citation has been conferred to prolific poet and novelist Moirangthem Borkanya in a glittering function held today at Kangla Hall, Imphal.
The award function was graced by the Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat, health minister L Jayentakumar and Elangbam Sonamani, Sahitya Academi awardee as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the function, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said, `Manipuri literature is not just a flash in the pan. It has had an illustrious past beginning from the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD. The famous `Cheitharol Kumbaba`™, the royal chronicle of Manipur, is claimed to have been written from the ancient period. Since then Manipuri literature has had an uninterrupted lineage through the vicissitudes of the history of Manipur `” from the inception of the earliest Manipur Kingdom to the integration of Manipur into the Indian Union in 1949 till the present days.`
`Seen in this chronological manner, Manipuri literature is a mirror of every era in the Manipuri civilization. It is the repository of her birth, triumphs, defeats, peace, conflicts, transformation and introspection. Manipuri literature reflects modern influences and hence, it is alive and real. The watershed of the modern Manipuri literature was heralded by Chaoba, Kamal and Anganghal in the early part of the 20th century. Their works manifested a change in the culture, sensibilities and aspirations of their times. Their versatility made them foray into different genres like the novel, short story, poetry, drama, essay, criticism and so on. Literary figures like Nabadwipchandra, Minaketan and Shitaljit were other leading lights of Manipuri literature, besides the trio of geniuses. We all should always pay our gratitude to these torch bearers of Manipuri literature`, he asserted.
`We are proud that Manipuri literature has been recognized several times by national bodies like Sahitya Academy and it is today no less in its potential and the respect it commands than any other Indian languages.
We need to appreciate our authors and poets for their relentless contributions towards the promotion and enrichment of Manipuri literature while facing some disadvantages like lack of proper encouragement, small size of market for Manipuri books, etc. The creative writers should play an important role in society in helping the common people by their writings to realize the need for social and economic reconstruction. It is the function of literary- men to give a proper vision to the people. I am confident that our authors and poets will function in this direction and continue to endeavour in their work to achieve a full and satisfying status for Manipuri literature. It is sad that this year Manipur lost stalwarts like M.K. Binodini, N. Khelchandra and L Damudor but the living ones should continue to take Manipuri literature to greater heights`, Governor enjoined.
The state awardee Moirangthem Borkanya is a prolific writer who has written various short stories, novels and poems. Some of her notable works include Singareigi Leikaida (novel), Ningtambagi Mamal (short-story), Loinaidraba Thawaigi Eshei (poetry), Meiri (novel), Nakenthagi Yenning and others.
