Khuraijam Phulendra Singh
- The soul behind Manipur's songs and stories -

Noornika Khuraijam *

"Eigi punsi nanga, kari thoknei eiga hundokpa ngamde puba waare"

These haunting lines from one of Manipur's most iconic songs continue to stir hearts decades after they were written. At the core of this emotional and cultural legacy is Khuraijam Phulendra Singh, a lyricist, playwright, and cultural stalwart whose words helped shape Manipuri identity through the mid to late 20th century.

Born on 15th April 1935 at Sagolband, Khuraijam Phulendra was the fifth child of Khuraijam Maipak Singh and Soyam Ningol Pati Devi. His father, one of the first matriculates in Manipur, was a school teacher who emphasized education and discipline.

This nurturing environment sowed the seeds of Phulendra's lifelong love for literature and music. He completed his matriculation from Johnstone High School in 1954, and went on to graduate from St. Edmund's College, Shillong with a degree in English (lions).

He later pursued postgraduate studies at Gauhati University and earned a diploma in Social Service Administration and Criminology from TISS Mumbai.

Khuraijam Phulendra's artistic journey began early. In high school, he collaborated with classmate and close friend Anbam Syam Sharma to compose what would become the first modern Manipuri song:
"Khammu khammu mitki pirang, ngamnamak lounambani."

What started as a spontaneous act of creativity bloomed into a decades-long contribution to the golden era of Manipuri music.

In the 1950s and '60s, DM College became the incubator of Manipur's cultural renaissance. Khuraijam Phulendra was at the heart of it, alongside legends like B Jayanta Kumar Sharma, Nongmaithem Pahari, Aribam Syam Sharma and Arambam Somorendra.

He co-founded Triple A (Amateur Artists' Association) in 1956 and Roop Raag in 1960, both of which became pivotal platforms for Manipuri music and theatre. His lyrical genius was most famously showcased in "Matamgi Manipur" (1972), the first full-length Manipuri feature film, where he wrote all but one of the songs.

Tracks like "Tha tha thabungton", sung as a lullaby, remain emotionally resonant to this day. His words had the magic to paint dreamy imagery, turning moonlight into golden chariots and clouds into white horses—a lyrical universe of warmth and comfort.

Over the years, he collaborated with celebrated voices such as Chongtham Kamala, Aheibam Buddhachandra, and Ningthoujam Ekendra, carefully crafting lyrics that matched not only the theme but the singer's unique voice and personality.

His versatility ranged from the melancholic "Eigi punsi nanga kari thoknei eiga" to the light hearted lyrics of "Eini 20th century gi Romeo."

His song "Anouba Jugki Anouba Asha Puduna," became an anthem for the youth, urging them to carry forward the torch of change. This along with the song "kayam wadi lamdam do" incidentally became the first "Matam Ishei" ever written as a chorus song.

As a Field Publicity Officer under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he also wrote and directed plays to raise awareness on health and social issues. His dramatic works, like "Shri Shri Krishna Chaitanya", "Jadonang" (based on the Naga freedom fighter), and a Manipuri translation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, showed his literary depth and commitment to cultural storytelling.

Beyond the stage and screen, his personal life was no less enriching. In 1964, he married Thokchom Ningol Bimola Devi, the first regular Manipuri newsreader on All India Radio ImphaL Their home became a confluence of culture and service, and they raised three children.

Khuraijam Phulendra Singh passed away on 18th May 1995, but his work continues to echo through the hearts of Manipuri people. His songs are not mere melodies — they are cultural memoirs, repositories of longing, joy, sorrow, and resilience.

Today, as younger generations discover his songs, they are not just listening to music—they are encountering a legacy. In his words, we find our past, our essence, and our soul as a people. Khuraijam Phulendra didn't just write lyrics. He wrote us.