By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The 2-Day Imphal Literature Festival, held on December 7-8, 2013 at Manipur Press Club, Imphal was attended by poets from Bangladesh. The festival was organized by Sahitya Thoupang Lup, Imphal.
The first day of the festival was attended by renowned theatre personality and Chairman of National School of Drama Ratan Thiyam, eminent poet from Bangladesh Dr. Shihab Shahriar and Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur, Dr. R.K. Nimai as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and President respectively.
A table calendar having photographs and lines of some of the prominent writers of Manipur and 6 books, all written in Manipuri, were released by the dignitaries. The books released were “Mamhallaba Ahing” by Haridas Khongbantabam, “Loubukki Manam” by Tongbram Amarjit, “Nangi Thongjinda” by Lambamayum Bimol, “Amuba Nungou” by Surjit Khaidemcha, “Mahousha” by Saratchand Thiyam, and “Thamoinungi Manipur” by Sanaton Hamom.
Giving the key-note address, President of Sahitya Thoupang Lup Saratchand Thiyam said the Lup, established in 2003 to develop Manipuri language and literature, has been organizing such literary festivals to provide platform for the writers from different parts of the world to interact. We had recently organized an Indo-Bangladesh Poets Meet here at Imphal. We had been dreaming of organizing the literary festival in a grand way but shortage of fund hindered our plan. In other States the government allocate adequate fund for organizing literary events, which is not the case in our State. However, we hope that the State Government will extend all possible help in promoting such literary festivals in future, he added.
Addressing the function, Ratan Thiyam said Manipur has rich literary and cultural traditions, but lack of exposure to the outside world has hindered the development of these traditions. Our rich cultural traditions need exposure. The State Government should act as the promoter.”
“We have seen several languages becoming extinct from the face of the earth, while many others are on the verge of extinction. In such a situation it is necessary that we promote the language and its literature, and at the same time expose it to the outside world. There are possibilities of developing such literary festivals into grand festivals in the future, just like the Jaipur Literary Festival. In organizing such a festival we need the support of the State Government. The literary bodies of the State should also come together to organize such a festival. Then we can bring the prominent literary figures from various parts of India here,” Thiyam further said.
R.K. Nimai Singh lauded the Sahitya Thoupang Lup for organizing the literary festival. The festival would certainly help in promoting the Manipuri literature. The State Government will try to extend all possible help in organizing such festivals in the coming years, he added.
Dr. Shihab Shahriar said he was fortunate to take part in the literary festival. Manipur is popular for its rich cultural heritage. Such a festival would help in giving the exposure of its rich cultural traditions to the outside world. It is indeed a privilege to be here in this small, but extremely beautiful and culturally rich State of India, he added. Shahriar is a poet, researcher, writer, critic, script writer and editor. He holds a Ph.D degree from Dhaka University. He has published a compilation of poems titled “Ami Dekchi Onno Akash.”
Prominent Manipuri writer from Bangladesh Sanaton Hamom also spoke on his book “Thamoinungi Manipur.” Hamom was born in a Manipuri family in Chhongaon village, Kamalganj in Moulvi Bazar, Bangladesh. He is a poet well-versed in Manipuri and Bengali. He has published 3 books of Bengali poems – Kolpobodhu (1988), Ipsito Basona (1989), Bhalobasar Kabyo (2009). He has also published another 3 books of Manipuri poems. He is at present the General Secretary of Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangshad, Kamalganj Branch, and editor of few Bengali and Manipuri literary journals.
Symposium, poetry and short-story readings marked the second day of the festival. Symposium was held in 2 sessions. In the first session, R.J. Meitei, Dr. Soibam Premila and Longjam Sangita spoke on the theme “Young writers in the contemporary Manipuri Literature.” In the second session, L. Saratchandra, Dr. L. Manihar, N. Kishorjit and Thokchom Kamala spoke on the theme “Manipuri Language Development and its Language Technology.” The first session was moderated by Prof. N. Aruna and the second session by Prof. Ch. Jasobanta.
Large number of writers and literary lovers attended the two-day festival. Book exhibition was also held during the festival.