Elangbam Sonamani Singh : Winner of Jnangarima Manad Alankaran 2017

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Elangbam Sonamani Singh : Winner of Jnangarima Manad Alankaran 2017

Recommendation for Jyanpith Award

Shree Elangbam Sonamani Singh was born as forth child of Elangbam Leiren Singh and Shimati Ibemhal Devi on 11th July 1929 at Moirangkhom Loklaobung Imphal, Manipur. He completed master in History from Calcutta University.

He started his career as Lecturer in D.M. College Imphal later he joined Indian Administrative Service and retired as Commissioner Departmental Enquiry (IAS). He has published more than forty books in Manipuri in different genres like poetry, short story and Novel. Besides Manipuri he knows English, Bangoli, Sanskrit and Hindi.

Elangbam Sonamani Singh : Winner of Jnangarima Manad Alankaran 2017

Shree Sonamani started writing from very early age, when he was in school. His first publication was Wakhal Sheireng a collection of Sonnets in the year 1949.

His other collection of poetries are
o Sangbannabi (1962),
o Thamoi bina (1963),
o Barugi wareng Sheireng (1963),
o Lounam Chaobi Leirang (1963),
o Ani Thoklabada (1980),
o Pomshatnabi (1985),
o Mingnaidabi (1988),
o Ashibagi lonbu Ahingbana khangbara (1993),
o Ngaijari nangbu ningtamba (1996),
o Eigi wakat (2000),
o Yatrik (2008)
and two epics (khanda kavya) are
o Udhav gi pao (1983) and
o Daksha Yagya (2000).

He entered in the world of fiction of Manipuri Literature with Nirmal Yamuna a collection of short stories in the year 1966.

His other books of short-stories are
o Womkuda Shikar (1973),
o Mangsat Tanba (1978),
o Jagannath Pujari (1982),
o Mamangthong Lollabadi Maningthongda lak udana (1985),
o Hainabido (1990),
o Meiteigi Izzat (1995),
o Wathokchao (2004),
o Marudo kadaida (2007),
o Choinou (2013).

These short stories speak about the socio-cultural, Philosophical and day-today reality of the Manipuri society. We may find a different identity of different sections in our society including traditional, historical and cultural values.

Beside this his short stories are entirely associated with all modern changes in the life of a person and society. He has given a distinct language to Manipuri short stories.

All the novels from the pen of Shree Sonamani Singh deal with history, historical romance, philosophical and sociological feelings and a deep sense of esthetics.

His novels
o Basumati (1984),
o Hajari (1998) and
o Sengoisana (2010)
are full of typical tone also. All these novels are very famous in history of Manipuri Literature.

He made the Manipuri literature rich by translation work also. He has translated ten books into Manipuri.

These are
o Chandi Das (1993),
o Rupa koubi Samu (1995),
o Mother Terassa (1996),
o Bapugi wari (1996)
o Krishna Charit (2000),
o Dharma Tatwa (2008),
o Arab ki Ahing Lishing Ama supna amagi wari (2008).

He also translated three books into English. These are
Chandi Das (1993),
o Hijam Anganghal's Jahera (2004) and
o Hajari (2013).

He is actively involved with various literary, cultural, educational and social institutions.

He was
o former President of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad,
o President of Writer’s Forum Manipur,
o Member of Manipur State Kala Academy Council,
o Convenor of Manipuri Advisory Board Sahitya Academy New Delhi,
o Member of EZCC Calcutta,
o Executive member of Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur,
o Senate member of Manipur University.

At present he is President of Maharaja Narasingha memorial committee Manipur, life member of Manipuri sahitya parishad, Cultural Forum Manipur, Writer’s forum Manipur and member of Elders association Manipur.

Till date he has been awarded
o Manipur State Kala Academy (1987),
o Sahitya Academy Award for Literature, New Delhi (1988),
o Chongtham Bimola Basanta Award (2008),
o Fellow Manipur State Kala Academy (2009),
o Srimad Paramhansa Swami Jogendrananda Giri Memorial Award (2009),
o Salam Ibomcha Lakshmi Literary Award (2010) Manipuri Sahitya Bishenpur,
o Sahitya Ratna Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam (2010),
o Writer of the year (Manipur Sahitya Premi),
o Thoibi Award (2011) Cultural Forum,
o Translation Award Sahitya Academy Delhi (2012).

Shree Sonamani Singh is a Manipuri Writer who has remarkable importance and a very high position in Indian literature therefore we recommend his name for Award of Jyanpith Puraskar to him.

Dr. Shree S. Brajeshwar Sharma
Member, Jyanpith Award Committee
(Manipuri Language)

Dr. E. Vijay Lakshmi
Convenor, Jyanpith Award Committee
(Manipuri Language)