Noted writer, lyricist Khumanth em Prakash no more
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 17 2025: Noted Manipuri writer and lyricist Khumanthem Prakash died due to age-related health complications on Thursday midnight at his ancestral home.

He was 94.Khumanthem Prakash is survived by wife and eight sons and daughters.

He was born to Khumanthem Koamacha and Nilmini of Sagolband Meino Leirak on March 27, 1931.Khumanthem Prakash made significant contribution to Manipuri literature with some of his notable travelogue, poems and short-stories including 'Mang Gi Eshei', 'Eshei Pareng', Eiffel Tower Makhongda Kanglei Thokpa', 'Eche Bino', 'Lalhouba Amashung Atei Sheirengsing' and 'Eihakki Punshida'.

His lyric 'Liraba Leikol Gi Khuiraba Leirang' sung by legendary Manipuri singer late Nongmaithem Pahari and songs of Manipuri film 'Olangthagi Wangmadasu' remain popular till date.

Prakash also won numerous awards, including Sahitya Akademi honour for his short-story book 'Mang Gi Eshei' in 1986 and Sahitya Akademi excel lence award for his poem book 'Lalhouba Amashung Atei Sheirengsing' in the year 2019.He was also conferred the best lyrics award for the film 'Olangthagi Wangmadasu' in the 1st Manipur state film festival held in 1994 and honoured with Ak ademi fellow by Manipur State Kala Akademi in the year 2014.Apart from Manipuri literature and film, Khumanthem Prakash was also approved artiste of AIR Imphal, which he joined as staff artiste in 1959.Apart from producing many entertaining programmes, he was programme executive and producer for many programmes of AIR Imphal and even served the radio station as assistant director.

The popular 'Mani Mala Gi Chithi Paokhum' of AIR Imphal was the brainchild of Khumanthem Prakash.

Moreover, he served at Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi in 1982 as executive member and also had the distinction of being the first director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy till his retirement in 1996.He also served as the convener of the Manipuri Language Advisory Board of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and had been a member of the Indian Council for Cul-tural Relations, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre and Manipur State Kala Akademi.

During his prime, Khumanthem Prakash represented India at many global literature events held abroad.

Meanwhile, many literary bodies of the state deeply condoled on the untimely demise of Khumanthem Prakash and shared pain and grief of his bereaved family and well-wishers.

In a condolence note, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal said members of the literary body converged at its office Friday and convened a condolence meet, wherein a two-minute silence in memory of the departed writer was observed.

Similarly, Manipuri Literary Society, Writers' Forum Manipur and Sheirengbasingree Apunba Lup (SHAL) also condoled the demise of Khumanthem Prakash and convened condolence meets at their respective offices.

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