IMPHAL, May 19: Renowned writer and educationist of the state, Nongthombam Kunjamohan, author of several short stories like the widely acclaimed ‘Elisa Amagee Mahao’ breathed his last this evening at Shija Hospital Langol.
He was 79 and survived by his wife and five children Kunjamohan at their Uripok Yambem Leikai Mamang Leirak residence.
Kunjamohan was hospitalised on May 17 around 8 pm following his deteriorating health condition and was kept in the ICU.
After battling for life during the past two days, he succumbed this evening around 5.03 pm.
He was born on November 18, 1935 at Palarbond Village, Assam to Nongthombam Ratan Singh (father) and Kangbam Apambi Devi.
He acquired his MA Economics from Guwahati University.
He had served as an assistant teacher at Lakhipur Aarl High School and also as principals of Thoubal College, CI College Bishnupur.
Kunjamohan had also served as the secretary of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur and Council of Higher Secondary School Manipur and also secretary of Manipur State Education Commission.
He had published several poetry and short stories in Bengali and Manipuri.
His renowned works includes (short stories) “Chenkhidraba Echel”, “Elisa Amagee Mahao”, “Thawan Michaak Amana Kenkhiba”, “Pairakhidre Cheklado”, “Eina Kenge Kenba Natte” etc.
Kunjamohan’s other works are “Malemgi Mangal” (Biography), “Sovietki Leibakta” (travelogue) and GDR diary, “Sharat-Shandhya” (novel), “Ningsingli Houkhraba Matamdo,” “Chinglon Kaya Lanna,” (Autobiography), translation works includes “Shandhya Thangmeigee Meiree” “Leirang Satlabasu Satrabasu Hallakhini Amuk Torbansida”, “Gora”.
In due cognizance of his outstanding contribution to Manipuri Literature, Kunjamohan was first awarded Sahitya Akademi Award in 1974.
The writer is also recipient of a series of awards including 1976 Soviet Land Nehru Award, 2004 Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize and Telem Indubala Award, 2010 Sahitya Ratna (conferred by the Assam Manipuri Sahitya Parishad), Dr Kamal Kabi Ratna Cash Award (conferred by Manipur Sahitya Parishad), 2012 Shrimat Parama Hansh Jogendra Nandagiri Cash Award, Tagore Literature Award and Sahitya Ratna (conferred by Manipur Sahitya Parisha on May 11, 2014).
