Imphal literature festival kicks off
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, December 07 2013 : Citing that there has been a marginal decline in the field of literature in Manipur with many unexplored talents, chairman of National School of Drama, Ratan Thiyam has urged the people of the state to contribute more towards literature as this has been a field the state had excelled in all through the years in the past.

The decline in its contribution, according to him, is due to lack of exposure towards a bigger scope leading to the talents remaining hidden from the view.

Ratan Thiyam, who was chief guest, was talking at the two-day long Imphal literature festival which kicked off from today today at Manipur Press Club here.

The event is being organized by Sahitya Thoupang Lup, Imphal.

Further speaking at the occasion, Ratan Thiyam maintained that in order to make up for the pit holes seen in literature in the state, bigger events should be organized so that the state's literature can be saved from getting extinct due to dormancy.

National and international writers should be invited to such events in the state so that there is a healthy exchange of ideas and innovations.

This will also encourage young writers and scholars of the state to dwell more in the field and explore their talents.

He also mentioned that there has been a mark difference between ancient writers and modern writers of Manipur.

Manipur writers have been well known for their rich sense of knowledge and literature since times immemorial.

But the art nowadays seem to lack in many areas unlike the olden days.

As such, a need has come for youths especially, to take keen interest in literature which includes school syllabus, as this is the basic level of life.

This will earn more literature national awards by the state unlike the past few years.

Presided over by Dr TK Nimai, Commissioner of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur, Dr.Shihab Shahriar, an eminent poet from Bangladesh, was also present on the occasion as Guest of Honour.

Dr.Shihab observed that literature, which is multi dimensional and philosophical is the mirror of human life.

Many languages have been lost since the emergence of globalization and development around the world unlike Bengali script which has been used till today as it is a rich language since ancient times.

The language has also been included in the world literature, he maintained.

As part of the opening day of the festival, five poetry books by noted writers were released.

The books are Haridas Khongbantabam's 'Mamhallaba Ahing', Tongbram Amarjit's 'Loubukki Manam', Lambamayum Bimol's 'Nangi Tongjinda', Surjit Khaidemcha's 'Amuba Nungou', Saratchand Thiyam's 'Mahousha' and Sanaton Hamom's 'Thamoiningi Manipur' which is a travelogue.

A table calendar depicting the photographs of various renowned scholars was also released to mark the occasion.

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