A Compilation of Works by Laishram Samarendra Released on His 87th Birthday

FOR MANIPURI/MEITEILON LITERATURE ENTHUSIASTS

Preface
Wahoudok: An Introduction
Manipuri Literature: From Sahitya to Loinasillon
Back to the Party
Laishram Samarendragi Apunba Lairik

Personal Details | Published Works | Awards

The Last Day on Earth in Imphal

[Originally posted: 16:39, 23 July 2012; Last Updated: 08:15, 8 June 2020]

A Complete Collected Work of Laishram Samarendra Released on His 87th Birthday

Image credit: Okelo Yaikhom

Preface

Leirak amada natraga leikai amada machin thiba ama.
Machin thiba mari na dealer ama
Dealer marinasu machin thiba tarataruk nasu leader ama.
Leader mari na member ama.
Member taruk na mantri ama.

(Suplak by L Samarendra, Khul Amagi Wari, 1985)

In the mid part of this year, I’m fortunate to have attended the birthdays of two great personalities of our generation. The first party of Bob Dylan in May at a lake resort near Shillong concluded with some bad impressions, created by, on one hand, the utter lack of originality in the event and the performance of the local host — despite the fact that they had been organising the show for nearly 40 years — and their inability, on the other, to imitate the political novelty of the great American musician. Well, that's over. Now, the second event: the 87th birthday celebration of the illustrious Manipuri poet, Laishram Samarendra, was held on July 20, back home in Imphal. If I have to choose the more enjoying birthday out of the two, this wins hands down.

Wahoudok: An Introduction

Lairabagi imungda
Lairabagi manakta famlui
Lairabana pirak-e chaoraba noogdoom ama
‘Nareibakta soo noong aduna’ hairak-e.

(Stanza 1, Lairabagi Waa by L Samarendra, Waa Amata Haige Telangga, 1962)

Laishram Samarendra, in a great style, had celebrated his 87th birthday in a courtly function at the Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) Hall on that fine, sunny July afternoon. The centrepiece of the party was the releasing of his complete collected work, compiled by two giants of Manipuri literature: Thangjam Ibopishak and Yumlembam Ibomcha. One of the most remarkable things about the old man was his infectious sense of humour on the stage. With his mischievous smile, he narrated how he always tries to keep back his expressive style, so that it forbore Rabindranath Tagore’s writing despite his weakness for anything that is related to Tagore. He also enthralled the crowd by singing a stanza of song in several languages including Bengali, Tangkhul and Mao.

The book titled Laishram Samarendragi Apunba Lairik is a compilation of all his published books/works: six books on poetry (which has around 146 poems including those he published individually in various newspapers and journals), one on prose and a score of artworks. It is remarkable that all the original covers, the prefaces and other front matters of the books have been reprinted in this volume.

Yumlembam Ibomcha, in his speech, mentioned the spelling style of the poet has been left unchanged and each section is an exact replica of the published edition, so basically, this book is only a repro yet a more beautiful and complete collection.

Thangjam Ibopishak heralded Laishram Samarendra as one of the pioneers of modern Manipuri literature. When Elangbam Nilkanta published Manipur in 1949 — a book which has been considered as the trendsetter of modern Manipuri poetry and exposed the sociopolitical issues, the value system and the crises of that crucial period of the state’s history — Samarendra had already published a poem Lei Langba in 1946. But Ibopishak pointed out, it failed to catch attention as it conformed to the style of the conventional romanticism initiated by Khwairakpam Chaoba, Dr Lamabam Kamal and a few others. He added the greatness of Samarendra’s poems, which are mostly written in a colloquial style, lies in their sense of freshness and surprise.

Yumlembam Ibomcha and Thangjam Ibopishak spoke at length, among others, about the book, how the late Shamurailatpam Gopal Sharma, the former editor of Poknapham, conceived the idea about publishing it, and the errands they had to run and son

Manipuri Literature: From Sahitya to Loinasillon

Kiganu!
Lin natte
Eigi kabitani
Ngeihakta thanamge nangonda
Nahakki nanakta

(Ngeihaktani by L Samarendra, Wakching-gi Kabita, 1999)

In days to come, I am planning to do the review of the book....better if I can do it ‘book by book’. Should I admit only a couple of years ago I had started following Manipuri literature, and I'm already hooked on it. After finishing Class 10th, which until then was a compulsory subject, I have only read journals, some novels and a few non-fictions but have I hardly followed the serious literature. One reason that had always put me off was the stinking nature of Sanskritisation and Bengalisation in Manipuri literature. Even the word we use for the very term literature, Sahitya, is a Sanskrit word.

My laziness and ignorance also played a major role in making me turn a blind eye to our own literature. I have found in this literature, however, a source of our roots. I must add that I believe that as long as we are using the Bengali script and reading the Shri Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, letting the infiltration of other culturess to lead by the nose, we will have only superficiality. Those have deceived us to believe that we are but an offshoot of the Aryan evolution while unfortunately forgetting our own roots Our literature must be what makes us, not mars us. This statement will be clearer if you understand that we were proselytised into Hindus, our books were burnt and our scripts prohibited for nearly three centuries and we were once hoodwinked, again, to believe that we originated from the Mahabharat. For that matter, even the Chief Minister seems to endorse the annihilated version of history and literature.

Back to the Party

MA pass touraga
Eidi kolege gi oja oijage
Amuba tie punduna
Achouba wakhan khanjage
Nanna loona leijage

(MA Pass Touraga by L Samarendra, Mamang Leikai Thambal Shatle, 1974)

It was a golden chance, at the book release function, to listen to the two great littérateurs, Yumlembam Ibomcha and Thangjam Ibopishak, who have compiled the book. Both of them are also a reason how I have been able to follow Manipuri literature in spite of my hesitation towards Bengali-type lit and why I have a leaning towards English lit. Yet their writing — on realistic themes, of social relevance and their satirical styles, especially Ibomcha’s humourous stories and Ibopishak’s witty poems — is where I’m personally inclined to. They have also convinced me that it’s not the language but that the content and its message that are more worthy in any form of reading and writing.

“Let me do it myself,” Laishram Samarendra said when Yumlembam Ibomcha was trying to help him get the mic. The lady in the photo is Sh Shantikumari.

The two Oja unanimously expressed their respect for the former editor of Poknapham, the late Shamurailatpam Gopal Sharma, who was the brain behind this book. The revered editor's wife, Shamurailatpam Ongbi Gurumayum Shantikumari also graced the function. Poknapham Publications has published this book.

At the end of the function we had refreshment that included a piece of the birthday cake! First, we listened to the supermen, and we got the book at a special prize of Rs 150 (the printed rate is Rs 250), and then when we got the cake, our day was made. We also had a short photo session with the bunch of Ojas on the stage, took autographs from them and finally so happily we left the place.

Laishram Samarendragi Apunba Lairik

Complete Works of Laishram Samarendra
Compiled by Thangjam Ibopishak and Yumlembam Ibomcha
Poknapham Publications, Padma Printers, July 2012
Price Rs 250

Personal Details *

Laishram Samarendra (20 July, 1925– 2 June 2016) was born in Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Imphal. He matriculated in 1944 and graduated in 1948 from Calcutta University. He started his career as a high school teacher and further worked as an officer in the government departments of education, social welfare, and art and culture. He had also worked as a compounder. He is survived by his wife, Huidrom Ningol Laishram Ongbi Binapani, and seven daughters.

Published Works *

1. Waa Amata Haige Telangga (Poetry; 1962, reprinted in 1996)
2. Mamang Leikai Thambal Shatle (Poetry; 1974, reprinted in 1991)
3. Khul Amagi Wari (Poetry; 1985)
4. Kabi Samarendragi Khomjinba Lairik (Poetry; 1997)
5. Sana Kiethelgi Laiphaddabi by Tonu Devi (Poetry; 1999)
6. Wakchinggi Kabita (Poetry; 1999)
7. Swargada Awaba Amasoong Nungaiba (Prose; 1999)
+ Laishram Samarendragi Apunba Lairik (Collection; 2012)

Awards *

1. Jamini Sundar Guha Gold Medal (1975)
2. Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (1975)
3. Sahitya Akademi Award (1976)
4. Kabiratna (1992)
5. Khoirom Tomchou Ningsing Sanagi Medal (2000)
6. Jananeta Irabot Mana (2003)
7. Dr Kamal Kabiratna Ningsing Selgi Mana (2004)

* Source: Laishram Samarendragi Apunba Lairik

E-Pao: Book Releasing Ceremony of Laishram Samarendra at Manipur Dramatic Union, Yaiskul, 20 July 2012
Read some Manipuri poems written in Roman alphabets: https://numit-kappa.blogspot.com/
A Tribute to Laishram Samarendra (20 July 1925–2 June 2016)

The Last Day on Earth in Imphal

Download and read one complete dozen of Laishram Samarendra’s poems that have been translated and compiled in a booklet (PDF)! Check the link/article with the option to download the PDF, which is stored on my personal Google Drive. This means it’s completely safe to save it on your device.

Check the post to download the PDF.