Birth Anniversary of Mahakavi Hijam Anganghal Singh
Government should increase grants to literary bodies: IS Kangjam
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 28 2018:
Manipur Sahitya Parishad Imphal president IS Kangjam has asked the State Government to increase the amount of financial grant given to the literary bodies/societies in the State, saving many of the literary societies are not able to execute their needful onus due to acute shortage of fund.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 126th Birth Anniversary Observance of Mahakavi Hijam Anganghal Singh organised by Tungee Yaifanaba Shemba Kanglup Shamurou Keithel under the aegis of Governor's Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, Imphal at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul today.
IS Kangjam who had held key posts in various departments of Manipur Government asserted that the mere amount given to literary societies/bodies as financial grant cannot provide significant support to their activities as it (the financial grant amount) is relatively lesser than the essential expense needed by the literary bodies/societies for running their affairs successfully.
A literary body/society spend at least Rs 20,000 to 30,000 when organising a noteworthy function in present day.
As the grants provided are meagre, the literary societies cannot meet the requirements resulting to freezing of even their normal activities.
It is high time for the State Government to earmark bigger amount in the budget for financial grant, if it really want to promote and thrive Manipuri literature, he said.
Stressing about Manipuri literature and the works of Hijam Anganghal, he noted that the laureate's (Anganghal) write ups have a unique and comprehensive style of writing.
The writing style of the Manipuri literature laureate Hijam Anganghal has a quality that is somewhat similar to the fundamental nature of classical English literatures, he said and pointed out that the composition of his writings are well arranged with proper rhythm/rhyme that reflect high consciousness of literature compositions.
Conveying that he came across, many biographical write ups on Anganghal in the present days, Kangjam opined that such works will go a long way in popularising Anganghal and diffusing his works to present and coming generations.
The function was attended by Kangjam Radhakumar, Registrar, National Sports University and L Kunjeshwar Sharma, secretary, Mayai Lambi Veteran Sports Association as the guest of honour and president respectively.
A seminar on Mahakavi Hijam Anganghal Singh was also conducted as part of the observance in which many experts and poets discussed at length on the works of Anganghal.
Honouring of Sahitya Akademi Awardee and short story writer Maibam Nabakishore Singh as well as releasing of an anniversary souvenir also marked the event.
In a separate programme organised by Sahitya Thoupang Lup and Hijam Romani Memorial Trust, Imphal at MDU Hall Imphal, Mahakavi Anganghal Award 2018 was presented to Manipuri writer of Bangladesh, Ananta Kumar Sheram popularly known as AK Sheram today The award carries Rs 10,000 along with a citation and a shawl.
The award was conferred to him in recognition of his role and contributions in promotion of Manipuri language, literature and culture in Bangladesh.
Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly Y Khemchand, president Hijam Romani Memorial Trust Dr Soibam Ibocha, IPS (Retd), CAF and PD, Revenue Minister Karam Shy am and Editor Bhaskor, Bangladesh Pulin Roy attended the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
An "Indo-Bangla Poets Meet" was also held during the award ceremony.
Eminent poets from Bangladesh along with other renowned poets from Manipur including Tangkhul, Paite, Chothe, Chiru, Nepali amongst other participated in the programme.
Y Khemchand led floral tribute paid to the photo of Mahakavi Anganghal.
Saratchand Thiyam gave well come and key note address of the programme.
Hijam Ranjita read out one of the popular poem of Mahakavi Anganghal, 'Mingchat Thiba' and writer Harnid Kaiser recited the translation of the same poem.
Makhonmani Mongsaba presented the biography of Mahakavi Anganghal.
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