"Late Blooming Cherries" published, signing event held at Books & Coffee
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16 2024:
In a momentous occasion for haiku poets and enthusiasts from Manipur, haikus written by Subir Ningthouja and Milan Rajkumar have been published in India's first anthology of haikus, "Late Blooming Cherries", for which a book signing event was held at Books & Coffee, Singjamei in Imphal today.
Published by Harper Collins India, which is one of the "Big Five" publishers, "Late Blooming Cherries" is edited by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih and Rimi Nath.
The simple occasion was marked by reading of poems, discussion, interactive session and signing of books by the poets, said a release issued by Kekru.
The programme was moderated by Poet Linthoi Ningthoujam and conducted by translator, Sapam Sweetie.
Owner of Books and Coffee, Beeshantam yumnam is the key organiser and host of the event.
The event started with a poetry session of 30 minutes, during which Linthoi Ningthoujam observed that both poets, Milan Rajkumar and Subir Ningthouja can be considered as pioneers of haiku writing in Manipur.
Subir Ningthouja is a physician by profession.
His haiku have appeared in journals such as The Heron's Nest, ESUJ-Haiku, The Mainichi, The Asahi Shimbun, Serow, Presence, Wales Haiku Journal, Haiku Dialogue, World Haiku Review, haikuKATHA, Failed Haiku, Cold Moon Journal, Contemporary Haibun Online, Drifting Sands Haibun, Bloo Outlier, Time Haiku, MahMight Haiku Journal and Haikuniverse.
Milan Rajkumar teaches economics at a secondary school.
His haiku have appeared in journals such as Modem Haiku, Seabeck Haiku Anthology, The Cicadas Cry, Under The Basho, Cattails, Prune Juice, The Heron's Nest, Contemporary Haibun Online, Wales Haiku Journal, Presence, Frameless Sky, Creatrix, Autumn Moon Haiku Journal, Asahi Haikuist Network, The Mainichi, Cold Moon Journal, The Mumba Journal, The Quills, Akitsu Quarterly, Frogpond, Ribbons, tsuridoro, Chrysanthemum, Earth Rise, Kyoto Haiku Project, Stardust Haiku, Brass Bell, Bamboo Hut, White Enso, Otoroshi, Poetry Pea, Failed Haiku and Haiku Foundation.
It may be mentioned that "Late Blooming Cherries" has been enlisted as one the most anticipated books of 2024 by Vogue.