Ningsjingbagi Pothashang : Book Review
Author: Kenebo Rajkumar

Amarjit Meengam *

Ningsjingbagi Pothashang : Book Cover

Book review 6: Ningsjingbagi Pothashang (Kenebo Rajkumar)
Book : NINGSINGBAGI POTHASHANG
Author : Kenebo Rajkumar
Publisher : Fiction and Poetry Club, Manipur
Year of publication : 14/10/2020
Price: Rs.250

Is there anyone who does not like a good trip down memory lane. A man born with fully developed senses and mind, indeed ought to have memories and dreams which he or she cherishes ,which he/she despises, which he/she aspires and some which heshe yearns not to be remembered again.

Another beautiful collection of Manipuri poems from Kenebo Rajkumar on his memories , his second one, Ningsingbagi Pothashang. Born in 1986, at Sanjembam, Imphal West.

He writes blogs and articles regularly at the Sangai Express. I have read some beautiful write-ups on his facebook. Few months back, I contacted him and asked for a copy of this book which he readily gave me one. I am thankful to him, but it took months to read the book in full.

The first poem Pothasangsida Matambu Chingthokni1, seems like a beautiful casting of his memories and a sling for his follow up poems where he unflurned his past impressions..

Thupchillaga thamlamba matamsing
Tingthokley marak mayung kairaba sumangsida

The author's close proximity with his native village where his memories being laid embedded is being depicted on the background of changing seasons in the next poem Nahakse Khungangni[2].
Ningtha Masung Naohong[3] is an affectionate poem to his adoring mother. The series of poems titled Mathangi yeningtha depicts a purposeful wait for someone or somebody underneath the sacred and silent old fig tree.

Another series of poems titled Ningshing Manglan, narrates the state of mind, feelings, emotions and thoughts evolving for a beloved one through the different stages from childhood to adulthood.

Meehul Hulliba Eseise Mahakini- is another poem related to someone very close to the author's heart. The auther tried to crack a something he yearns inside a stone in the poem Thugaiba Ngamdraba Nungjao . Atithi , Epao Amatang represents the unfulfilled and distant desires.

Taibangi Attopa Yum Sing is refection of a troubled state of affairs narration on a platform of a distant village and the people around it.

The decaying characters and loss of bonding in our society is depicted in the poem Mamadu Kadaidano . And the declining affection of the man towards the nature is being reflected at the poem Sana'ebemma.

The young auther's love for nature and his keen observations could be seen in the poems Lairembi and Meragi Taramarini Panba Phayeng. Thongnaodagi Imphal tells Imphal is evolving, Imphal Nang Kuina Tumganu represents auther's desire to bring changes around the capital city of the state.

Moirangthem is about the family and relationships and socail taboos.

The auther tells a beautiful emotion in the poem Emasigi Ningthem, based upon the movie Emagi Ningthem written by Imashi Binodini.

Nupi Asibu Eira, Mee Marumgi Wa, Naopuraba Nupa, Fanek, Kadai Chatsi Haibano are few of the poems which will intrigued the mind of the readers.

Tala Pamelgi Ukhada , Lambi, Parlay , Lakningdey Wakchinggi Nong, Tandon , Aangang Oihalbiro Eibu, Hatokpiro Malem, Lei Haidu Kadaino, Ahing ama , Taamnakhrabada , Hallakhigdrane, Maril Chatlaba Keisumshang - carries the various emotions and thoughts of anxiousness ,cobfusion and misery, despair, lonesomeness and sometimes describes a situation of being not fit in.

Lainingba, Meenungkhang brought a sense of introspection. Sheirengi Aroiba Wahei is represents a persistent search of a perfect ending.

On the other hand, Fairel, Ayuk, Anounbi Chahi Mamada , gave lights of hope and aspirations , and the poems Kundo, Nokpa Tamlabani Ei , Lehaogi Leinam - represent self reassurance and resoluteness. The author's apphrension by the ongoing pandemic is outlined in the poem, Covid-19.

Ahingi Sinngel, Esing Chaibi exhibit the dream, desires which one yearns to perceive again and again and such dreams propel one to move for a meaningful life. Last but not the least, Kadaida Chatsi Haibagey the last poem, the auther lured someone to a paradisiaca world surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Reading the poems, one could find the author uses various elements and techniques of poetry. Readimg them is like diving underneath the world of poetry.

The author's unique way of expressing his poems could be compared to a skillful artist, he paints his poetry with strokes of words blending the elements of nature, changing seasons with human emotions, affection and intentions, stroke by stroke layering on his canvas of poetry diligently. Reading the poems, readers will surely plunge down to their own memory lands, one's owned ''Ningsingbagi Pothashang''

Life bring tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.