She left us but who'll forget her ?

Yaima Haobam *

She breathed her last at the sacred Kangla Hall. This could hardly be made possible even though the wise human being plan to do so.

All her juniors surrounded her in the last moments of her departure from-this world where she came, saw and succeeded. She was seen truly conspicuous in whatever she said and did on the 2nd day (November 11, 2017) of the 6th Festival of Literature organized collaboratively by the Sahitya Akademi and Manipur State Kala Akademi at Imphal.

A versatile lady Manipuri writer emerged sincerely during the 80’s, Sanjenbam Bhanumati Devi is one of the most popular and distinguished personalities in the limited sphere of Manipuri literature.

In most of the literary functions, sometimes even outside Manipur also, she had been accompanied by her husband Mr. L. Dhaballo because of her weak constitution over the last few years.

It was on his lap and surrounded by her loving female poets and in the presence of literature lovers in the sacred Kangla Hall she left this world for her heavenly abode.

She bore a unique nature of endearing everybody irrespective of age and gender. She respected so much her elders and loved so much her juniors. Since she used to maintain the habit of punctuality, she came to the Kangla Hall right in time.

I received her (I reached earlier having assigned to anchor the programme) and we had usual warm talks while waiting for the arrival of other organizers and invitees.

Just then on seeing Tongbram Amaijit, a young and energetic literary enthusiast, coming a few meters before us, she suddenly said, ‘Amaijit, I am waiting for you.’

She had no plan to meet him but she could attract the boy’s attention and thereby build up an encouraging and affectionate remark abruptly.

She penned five poetry books-
Khonjelsibu Nangira,
Kallaba Eerei 'mada Asum Asum,
Aroiba Wahang,
Laklo Eikhoi Pullasi, Oiragadra Aroiba and
a lyrical collection Shemlasi Eeramdam Kallasi Eereipak.

She also did translation and published two books -
Khunushingee Lanjel from Ruskin Bond’s A Flight of Pigeons and
Apaiba Laidhi from Kallavi Gopal Krishnan’s The Flying Doll.

She had been honoured with Khaidem Pamodini Mana by the Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti for her book Oiragadra Aroiba and with Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for Khunushingee Lanjel.

Arambam (O) Memchoubi who was present in the function expressed: ‘Ichemma would be profoundly contented because she could breathe her last at such a sacred place of the Kangla and also in the presence of all those who loved poetry reading.’

She presented her own selected poems opening the Poetry Reading session, she listened with concentration to all the poems of participating eleven female poets and virtually she collapsed when she was about to complete addressing her concluding observation of being the Chairperson of the session.

M. Borkanya, a poet who is a senior medical nurse rushed in and got her checked up and when any of her attempts in her level failed to get response she suggested to take her to the hospital immediately.

She was taken to the hospital without the least delay but it was only to get a declaration of her expiry. She will ever be remembered for her invaluable contributions not only in Manipuri literature but in music and religion also.