Narendra Ningomba: An encomium

Thoudam Imomacha Singh *

Narendra Ningomba received the best Film Journalist award on April 09 2015 at the 9th Mami Numit :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao

The truth is that, there is no dearth of talents in Manipur, especially in the field of art and culture, and games and sports. The recent conferment of best Film Journalist award on Narendra Ningomba, a multi-faceted personality was a judicious move on the part of Film Forum Manipur (FFM) & State Development Society (SDS). Narendra Ningomba is a personage who is identically involved in Manipuri Courtyard Opera (Shumang leela), Theatre, Films, Journalism etcetera, etcetera. Besides, he is a columnist of Hueiyen Lanpao Manipur Daily.

Narendra Ningomba saw the light of the day on the 1st day of March, 1958 as primogeniture to parents Ningombam Iboton and Ningombam (O) Sanahal. He is happily married and now living with his beloved wife (Premila) two loving sons and a daughter. Narendra Ningomba is more of a lover of Manipuri art and culture then being a performer himself.

He writes in the Hueiyen Lanpao under the caption "Revealing Thoughts" (Chaithorakpa Wakhal) on different social themes and relevant issues from time to time. In one of his satirical articles entitled "Mohan Dumfounded" (Mohan Koksare) he could very precisely demonstrate the political uprising by a certain group of law-makers in Manipur, who were promised minister-ship in the Ibobi Cabinet after the expiry of the 2&½ year tenure of the incumbent ministers.

What Narendra Ningomba exposed in his satire was that no minister would be prepared to abandon his chair and it was the responsibility of the leader of the legislature party of the ruling dispensation to avoid a political hara-kiri. Narendra Ningomba seeks an answer from our political analysts that is it not at all possible on the part of a law-maker to render his service to the public without being a minister. Doing someone's solemn duty is always a matter of conviction, not seeking any opportunity. Narendra Ningomba writes in an immaculate style.

Although Manipur is just a dot on the map of the Indian-sub-continent (22,327 sq.km.), the inhabitants of Manipur are known to the outside world by dint of their skill and talent in different categories of their performance. It is apparent that Manipuris find the sporting events as their forte. They have proved it quite a many times.

In games and sports, we have a good number of Olympians like Nilkamal, Thoiba etc. etc. We have pugilists comprising Dinku, Sarita, Mary Kom etc. etc. In films we have Aribam Shyam Sharma (a national awardee), he is not only being an expert in film-making and direction, he is also a renowned singer and lyricist. Shri Oinam Biramangol is also a renowned theatre personality. His creation of a Mahabharata serial in broadcast medium is a unique achievement. He is now an octogenarian; he deserves both state and national accolades.

(Late) M.K. Binodini was the cultural Czarina of Manipur. In the mainstream of English education in early Manipur M.K. Binodini was the first woman graduate. Her book, "Borsaheb Ongbi Sanatombi", a genre of historical novel had enhanced her prestige in creative writing. She was involved in films, art and culture, music and dance. She was also Secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy at the time of its inception of the Institute.

Ratan Thiyam, the present Director of National School of Drama, New Delhi is one of the most talented figures of cultural movement in Manipur. He is also totally involved in theatre, other performing art forms and music. Iconic Kanhailal is another champion of theatre movement in Manipur. Wareppa Naba and Sanakhya Ibotombi are also protagonist in Manipuri Theatre.

(Late) R.K. Maipaksana was a journalist and he had also functioned as editor of a Manipur Daily in the initial days of journalism in Manipur. He was the first Publicity Officer (P.O.) under the then State Government. Later on he joined All India Radio Imphal. So far as broadcast journalism is concerned, R.K. Maipaksana can be aptly called the father of broadcast journalism in Manipur.

(Late) Chandam Gopal Singh was another iconic broadcaster who had started working in All India Radio Guwahati, since 1957 when the station had started to broadcast Manipuri programme. B. Jayantakumar Sharma, Khumanthem Prakash Singh, Khaidem Nabakumar Singh, M. Lalgopal, Sagolsem Indrakumar, (Late) Kh. Bimola, Y. Jugeswari were also pioneers in broadcasting in Manipur.

B. Jayantakumar Sharma, Khumanthem Prakash, Chandam Gopal Singh were also pioneer lyricists of modern Manipuri songs. Their contribution to broadcasting, art and culture and music would ever remain historic and momentous. From times immemorial the Manipuris are inherent with the skill and knowledge of games and sports, music, dance, drama and even martial arts.

In the sphere of learning also, (Education), we have a number of remarkable academicians. It is always believed that today's youngsters imbibe the food steps of the older generation who were always achievers in their respective fields.