Manipuri Muslim writer from Barak Valley felicitated at Imphal

12 May 2015, Imphal

Mohd. Sahid Chowdhury giving speech at Hafiz Hatta, in Imphal, on May 11, 2015.

All Manipur Muslim (Meitei-Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA) felicitated renowned Manipuri Muslim writer Mohd. Sahid Chowdhury at a function held at Hafiz Hatta, in Imphal, on May 11, 2015.

Mohd. Chowdhury was at Imphal to receive the Kavya Bhusan award given by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal for his contribution to Manipuri literature. The award was handed to him by the Chief Minister of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh at a grand function held at J.N. Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal on May 10, 2015 in connection with the 80th Anniversary of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal.

The felicitation function was attended by the executive members of AMPWA and Writers’ Union, Manipur. Mohd. Chowdhury, President of AMPWA Prof. M.A. Janab Khan, Former member of Manipur Public Service Commission M.A. Sattar, IAS Retd. and A.R. Khan, IAS Retd. were the dias members of the function.

Giving the keynote address, Secretary General of AMPWA, Dr. Syed Ahmed highlighted the literary works of Mohd. Chowdhury. In his short speech, Mohd. Chowdhuy shared a glimpse of his literary journey. He described his visit to Manipur as home-coming. Other speakers at the function congratulated Mohd. Chowdhuy on his achievements and awards.

Mohd. Chowdhury, one of the prominent writers of the Barak Valley, was born to Abdul Wahab Chowdhury and Begum Karimun Nisa on Nov. 1, 1947 at Epham Leikai, Banskandi in Cachar District of Assam. After the completion of his Masters’ Degree in Economics and M.Phil, he joined Nehru College in Paylapul as a Lecturer in 1970. He retired as Principal from the same college in 2006.

Prof. M.A. Janab Khan felicitating Mohd. Sahid Chowdhury at Hafiz Hatta, in Imphal, on May 11, 2015.

Mohd. Chowdhury’s interest in Manipuri literature bloomed from an early age. His work on poetry, Kunsuba Satabdi was published in 1979. His other prominent works include Sanamachugi Ayuk, a collection of poetry published in 1992, Hazrat maulana Tayeb Kasmi, a biography of the former Mohtamim/Principal of Banskandi Madrasa, published in 2005.

Mohd. Chowdhury has been associated with various literary bodies. He was the life member of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam and also served as the President of the Parishad’s Lakhimpur District Committee. He was a member of the Advisory Board of All India Radio. He was also the Honorary Principal of F.U. Ali Ahmed Degree College.

Mohd. Chowdhury had edited few literary journals. He was the founder editor of Numit Lei (1977), At-Tayib (2009) and Anouba Echel, a journal of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam.

He has also over the years contributed poems in some of the edited volumes, namely Kanchi Saireng published by Manipur University, Leibakningba Esai amasung Seireng published by Sahitya Academy, N. Delhi in 1999, Ningtam matunggi Seireng published by Book Trust of India, N. Delhi.

Mohd. Chowdhury was conferred Kamini Kumar Award by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal in 1993, Kavya Bhusan by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam and Teacher Fellowship by University Grants Commission, N. Delhi.