Rebirth of Jodha Chandra Sanasam in Manipuri literature
- Part 2 -

Surjitkumar Loitam *

Jodha Chandra Sanasam recieves Sahitya Akademi Award on 18 February 2013 :: Pix - Hueiyen News Service

Translation Works and Collection Works of Literature and Culture Jodha Chandra Sanasam had taken up critical analysis of different works written by several writers.

Mention may be made of those works and writers namely, Zahera of Hijam Anganghal, Madhabee of Dr. Kamal, D Cgee Loinabee, a translation work of Salam Tomba, achievements of B. Jayentakumar Sharma. He wrote a well made analysis about the life story and achievements of the highly respected scholar, Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra Singh.

He contributed several critical writings without losing a single moment after getting himself relaxed during his leisure hours. He knew very well that only the creative writing would not bring complete development of Manipuri literature. Keeping in view the Achilles' heel of Manipuri literary criticism he had contributed several writings of criticism with encouragement to increase the number of crititics.

He had translated many collection works into English over and above his unavoidable tasks to translate several voluminous books written by well reputed writers and lyricists. He also knew the importance and necessity of translation in Manipuri literature. He translated into English the prose and poetry works and the lyrical poems written by himself including those works written by other writers.

Besides he wrote his own prose and poetry works and lyrical poems in English. In the midst of such heavy engagements it was difficult for him to spare even a single day for his ownself.

Jodha Chandra Sanasam translated several book reviews into English such as, critical study of Zahera by Nongmaithem Tombi and some of the poems from his poetry book, Gandharigee Mitkhumphi, critical study of Maibam Nabakishore on Yaithing Konu, critical study of Thambal by IS Kangjam, critical study of Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng by Elangbam Nilakanta, critical study of Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng and Loktak by Khangembam Shamungou and others.

It was in such of his heavy engagements that he translated into English a critical study of 50 pages written by me about the life and achievements of Prof. Nongmaithem Tombi Singh. He wrote several prose and poetry works for the journals and magazines like Tamna, Manipuri Culture and Literature of Manipur State Kala Akademi, Piwits of the Seawaves of Manipur, etc. and inserted other translation works in these journals.

Awards Donated in the Names of Mother, Father and Brother: Jodha Chandra Sanasam had donated a literary award in the name of his brother Sanasam Sharat to Rotary Club, Imphal in 2017. The two young writers namely Debchand and Sharungbam Deben were awarded successively for two years.

Later on he was planning to deposit the requisite amount for the award in the name of his brother as 'Sanasam Sharat Literary Award' to the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal so that the conferment of the award might be commenced from January 2021. He could not complete his planning during his lifetime.

But his wife Mrs. Biona Kharubon is reportedly prepared to execute the planning which was entrusted by her husband to her.

The literary award in the name of his mother, 'Sanasam Ongbi Maipakpi Sahitya Mana' had been donated to Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti to be commenced from 2019-20. The award was for the novel only. The first novelist who was honoured with this award was BM Maisnamba. He had donated a literary award to Manipuri Literary Society in the name of his father as 'Sanasam Tomal Sahitya Mana' to be given commencing from 2021.

It is a fact that the whole of 19 years of his life from 2002 to 2021 he had done whatever he could for the sake of Manipuri literature. To keep in view his sacrifice, sometimes it is felt fearful and wonderful. Now I remember the proverb that the yardstick to measure the value of a man is not his personal age but his work.

Sources of Donation for Awards:

It was a fact that Jodha Chandra Sanasam had never took no rest along his literary journey and as a result of which the reward for his labour had stood by him in time. The Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi had declared the conferring of 2012 Sahitya Akademi Award for Manipuri literature to Jodha Chandra Sanasam with the selection of his second novel, Mathou Kanba DNA.

Since then everybody had come to know that he was a literary figure. Consequently, several members from different circles of society began to extend their love and affection towards him with deep honour. At the same time his books were increasingly read over and appreciated at large. Indeed he received a large sum of money from the sale proceeds of his books. At the same time he could produce second editions of his several books and publish his new books as well.

Out of those books his translation of the epic, Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng of Mahakavi, Hijam Anganghal into English had given the opportunity for him to become a famous writer. Thus he could procure a large sum from the sale of the translation work within a short period.

He could sell almost all the copies of the book within one and half years and publish the second edition of the book. Indeed the sale of the second edition of the book was also completing shortly.

In fact he was determined to donate the respective awards as mentioned above in the names of his father, mother and brother as a token of his devotion to all of them from the sources of the large sums which were unexpectedly procured from the sale of his translation works. The names of his parents and brother remain remembered forever.

Disbursement of sale proceeds procured from the sale of books for the betterment of society

The sale proceed procured from the sale of the book, Discovery of India written by Jawaharlal Nehru is flowing endlessly till today. In Manipur the sale proceeds of the books, such as Anglo-Manipuri Dictionary of Rajkumar Shitaljit, Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng of Hijam Anganghal, Cheitharol Kumbaba of Ibohal and Khelchandra are also equally ceaselessly flowing. Jodha Chandra Sanasam's translation work of Khamba Thoibi Sheireng of Anganghal followed the same flow without stoppage.

The writers themselves and their publishers who are in possession of the copyrights have gained the profit whatever they want to the utmost of their satisfaction. As for Jodha Chandra, he was determined to disburse the amount procured from the sale of his books for the betterment of the society in the names of his father, mother and brother. Keeping in view such objective he had donated literary awards to the leading literary organisations.

It is undeniably true that such journeys or ventures are brought to success amidst several disturbances and hardships if there is honesty and sincerity of the brave man. It is also true that wealth follows success spontaneously. Thus Jodha Chandra Sanasam could show the possibility of spending the wealth or amount which was earned by means of wisdom and valuable thoughts, in the public interests.

Read Poems written by Jodha Chandra Sanasam here

To be continued...