IMPHAL, Aug 18: The Sahitya Akademi and English Literary Circle, ELC, Manipur, organised a one-day national symposium on `The Influence of English Literature on Manipuri Literature`™ at the Court Hall of the Manipur University here today.
Delivering the welcome address, Goutam Paul, officer-in-charge, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata, talked about the indispensable influence of English Literature on Manipuri Literature through the vast reservoir of Bengali Literature. Prof. H.Behari Singh, convenor, Manipuri Language Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, stressed on the direct and indirect influence of English Literature on Manipuri Literature.
The chief guest, Prof. H.N.K. Sarma, V.C., M.U., reflected on the importance of arts and culture in society and said that literature can be the harbinger for positive change in society. Prof. N.Khagendra Singh, president ELC, highlighted the sensitive, absorptive nature of the Meiteis who have carved a niche for themselves in the fields of performing arts. Their sensitive nature may have helped Manipuri writers absorb and internalise English Literature in their own writings, he added.
Prof. Th. Ratankumar, in his key note address, said English Literature is very likely to have given inspiration to much Manipuri Literature. This influence became significant after the World War-II, and the wider exposure to English education after it. The Symposium`™s theme is the first of its kind ever thrashed out in Manipur.
There were six speakers `“ three of English and three of Manipuri. In the first session, Dr Binata Nongmaithem, Former Research Scholar, Centre for English Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, spoke on the influence of English Literature/Literary trends on M.K.Binodini`™s short stories.
She incorporated a critical postcolonial, psychoanalytical and feminist reading of M.K.Binodini`™s selected short stories and showed the traces of the influence of English Literature/theories on her style and approach.
Dr Ratnabali S, of Manipur College, talked about the influence of English Literature on Dr Kamal`™s works. Dr P.Dinesh Meetei stressed on the influence of T.S.Eliot on Biren`™s poetry.
In the second session, L.Joychandra Singh talked about the influence of English Literature on Pre-War and Post-War Manipuri Poetry. Dr Th. Umabati Chanu highlighted the influence of the stream of consciousness technique on Pacha Meitei`™s work. Lastly, Dr O. Sanahanbi Devi reflected on the influence of G.B.Shaw on the plays of G.C. Tongbra.