Birendrajit Naorem : Manipur State Award for Literature - 2013
A Profile

Daniel Chabungbam *

Birendrajit Naorem : Manipur State Award for Literature 2013, Award Ceremony at JN Dance Academy, Imphal :: June 17 2014

Manipur State Award for Literature:

The Award is sponsored by the Government of Manipur from 2008 with a view to honouring the writers in recognition of their contributions to Manipuri literature. The Award shall be given every year to the author of the most outstanding book first published during the five years, immediately preceding the year of the award. At present, the award includes a plaque, a citation, cash component of Rs. 3 lakh and a shawl.

Manipur State Award for Literature-2013:

Birendrajit Naorem has been chosen for the prestigious Manipur State Award for Literature, the highest official recognition for Manipuri literature in the State for the year 2013. The government decided to give the 6th Manipur State Award for Literature to the 52 year old writer for his collection of poems titled 'Turel Nangdi'. He was selected for the award by a board of eminent persons set up by the government. He was the unanimous choice of the three member jury among the four writers most recommended by the fifteen member panel of experts.

About the book- 'Turel Nangdi':

Present day disturbed life, impact of contemporary politics and image of society which has been steadily eroded in terms of values are vividly depicted with poetic imagery, symbolism and metaphors by Birendrajit Naorem in his collection of poems Turel Nangdi. He express much outrageous feelings and deep unhapiness with soft and tender words. Nationalism, longing for a better society, searching himself and his life, and expression of hope constitute the themes of some of his poems. The book has been rated as an outstanding book of Manipuri literature and unanimously chosen for the Manipur State Award for Literature 2013.

Oiramle Eisu
Ningthiba Pumbadagi Ningthiraba
Eepak Eeren
Nahakki ningthiba saktamda Ngaojariba Eibu
Karigi kouriba khutlam toina,
Awatpa Leitra Nangonda
Ngamgani karibu tinsinba eina.
Ngaojarabasu nahakki ningthiraba sumhatpa saktamda
Oininglude nongmata
Sanagi kong-gol
Lupagi kong-gol
Nahakna taakhanningba matamda taakhalli.
Adubu
Numidangwairamgi nongjabina yeirakpada
Thaktorakpa nanggi maithong mingsheldo
Taramle eigi saktamgi mamisu
Oiningkhidraba kong-goldu oina.

Birendrajit Naorem : Manipur State Award for Literature 2013, Award Ceremony at JN Dance Academy, Imphal :: June 17 2014

Profile of Birendrajit Naorem

Sheirengna eibu pothahalli, kari karigumbadasu wahalli. Aduna Sheireng idaba ngamde ei, eeraroi khalluragana henna leitahande. Angakpa mayaini sheireng is the words from a writer who is made in the world of poems Birendrajit Naorem. Not a single moment his life is spent without the literature of poems for Birendrajit who was born at Singjamei Makha Naorem Leikai on February 1, 1962.

Born to Sarangthem ningol Subadani Devi and Naorem Kesho Singh, he is the fourth member of among his five brothers and sisters and the second son. Both os his parents have passed away. Birendrajit started his schooling career from Naorem Leikai Boys Lower Primary School. Due to the economy conditions of his family, he never got satisfaction in his studies. With various hardships, Birendrajit completed his post graduation in Manipur Language and Literature from Manipur University. He registered himself for undergoing Ph. D. in Manipur University but could not complete due to sudden health related problems.

During his High school life, Birendrajit used to read various novels and also wrote many short stories and was published in school magazines. However, by keeping silence for the hardships of his journey of life, becoming a writer comes in his way. As a student of Manipuri Language and Literature, he settle to become writer. By taking part in establishing the Manipuri Literature Society along with young writers, Birendrajit began serving in Manipuri Literature.

The first publication of the Society is the short story titled 'Awonba' written by Birendrajit Naorem. Beside serving as the president of the society for two terms, he also served as the editor of 'Sahitya Leichal' published by the society. Birendrajit took an important role to form the Poet's Association Manipur (Asheilup) and was also among the editorial board for the journal 'Sheireng' and an anthology titled 'Ningtamba Ningtamba'.

After the formation of Asheilup, Birendrajit turns towards writing of poems and later on began to publish various books of poems. He is a life member of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal; The Cultural Forum Manipur; Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti and Writer's Forum, Imphal. He served as the joint editor of a journal titled Ritu published by Cultural Forum Manipur and also as Secretary of Writer's Forum Imphal.

Books published:

1. Awonba (1988-Short Story)
2. Sibu Hounabra Ima (1991- Poem)
3. Amambadasu Anganbadasu (1992-Short Story)
4. Phadok Amagi Sheireng (1995-Poem)
5. Lanthengnariba Lanmi (2000-Poem)
6. Turel Nangdi (2008-Poem)

He has also taken the task of editor of various Anthology which includes a book in Meitei Mayek 'Kintharaklabada (1993-a collection of short stories), Nupigi Khonjel (1994- a collection of Manipuri poems written by women writers) and a collection of book on Jana Neta Irabot which was written by Writers from Bangladesh, Assam and Manipur titled 'Ngamkhei Ngakpa' (2003-Poem)

Awards and Honours:

1. Thokchom Jogendra Memorial Gold Medal 1996 by Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti on his poetry book 'Phadok Amagi Sheireng', Ahanba Ningombam Ongbi Pramodini Ningshing Sahitya Mana 2003 on his book Lanthengnariba Lanmi by Manipur Sahitya Samiti Thoubal, Sahitya Akademi Award 2004 by National Sahitya Akademi New Delhi. He was also awarded Jamini Sundar Guha Gold Medal 2010 by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal on his book Turel Nangdi and Tayenjam Jayanta Poetry Award 2012 by Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti.

Birendrajit Naorem has participated in various Literature related programmes in different parts of India and have translated his poems into Hindi, Bangla, Marathi and English. Birendrajit is married to Okram ningol Nganbi Devi and is a proud father of Yoihenba Naorem and Lamyanba Naorem. He is presently serving as an artist in the Adult Education Department of Manipur Government.

List of recipients of Manipur State Award for Literature: