“Chaaikhre Ngasi Nangi Loubukta” (Translation)

Arambam Somorendra’s Chaaikhre Ngasi Nangi Loubukta (originally written in Manipuri/Meiteilon in 1989) and translated by Arambam Sophia (April 2015)

Today on your fields is strewn
The blood of your sons
To merge with your soil
That it may be nourished
For seasons forthcoming
O green phige-clad Mother
O beloved Manipur!

Smoke shrouds
Your sky
Ceaselessly rising
From the pyres of your sons
Smoke shrouds
Your sky,
Blown asunder
By the unfettered wind
It spreads
All over your sky

To pour forth as rain
In every corner
Of your hills and valleys
The seeds of the past
Now slumbering
Shall be awakened afresh,
New sprouts shall spring up
On your vast fields and fallow lands.

One day at dawn
In the sun’s crimson rays
Your old faded clothes
Shall be changed anew
Your favoured ritual attire
Shall be sprinkled
With golden hue.

Read: 

• Family Time! The Arambam Triumvirate
• Inside Book Covers (Fronstispiece): Arambam Somorendro’s Plays

 

Check the video uploaded by Channel M on Youtube:

 

 

Arambam Somorendra (An Introduction)

Text source: Imphal Times/E-pao

A revolutionary, prolific writer, founder-secretary of the United National Liberation Front, playwright and a public intellectual, Arambam Somorendra (a.k.a. Somorendro a.k.a. Tamohal to friends and admirers) wore many hats.

Somorendra was born on 12 July, 1935 at Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal. He was the eldest son of Arambam Darendrajit (Manipur Sahitya Parishad Kavi Ratna Upadhi awardee, 1948) and Arambam Jamini. Arambam Lokendra, who is also an intellectual, retired scholar and a cultural activist, is his younger brother. They have a younger sister, Arambam Shantibala.

Somorendra grew up during a tumultuous time when Manipur was just freed from the colonial yoke of the British. The people of the erstwhile sovereign kingdom had lived under a short-lived interim government within the framework of duly drafted Constitution but was merged with the Indian Union in 1949 in controversial circumstances.

Born into a remarkable literary family and being a gifted writer who had the eyes for details, he used literature as well as moving arts as the medium of spreading political consciousness to the people. He succumbed to bullet injuries on June 10, 2000 when unknown assailants shot at him during a seminar on ‘Women's Sumang Lila in Manipur’ at Khurai Nandeibam Leikai, Imphal.

Somorendra studied at Johnstone School, Imphal and received matriculation from Churachand High School, Imphal. He developed his radical political career during his school days and started fighting against police excesses from a young age.

He sharpened his vision for a just society during his college years (1955–1958) at the DM College, Imphal (which was then affiliated to Gauhati University). He started writing on social and political issues as well acting in dramas and writing song lyrics. He also co-founded the Amateur Artists Association (1956) along with his friends, and this was later merged with the Aryan Theatre. He completed his masters in political science from Pune University in 1963.

Arambam Somorendro's PUBLISHED DRAMAS

1. Judge Sahebki Imung, 1973, published by Arambam Jamini Devi, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal.
2. Karbar, 1976, published by Arambam Jamini Devi, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal.
3. Dasa, 1978, published by Arambam Jamini Devi, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal
4. Yenningthagi Ishei,1981, published by the Manipur State Kala Akademi
5. Tirtha Jatra, 1975, published by the Cultural Forum, Manipur, Manipuri Lila Macha.
6. Nong Tarakle, 1978, Naharol Vol. 20, the Gauhati Manipuri Students' Association.
7. Sakhangkhidraba Lanmee, 1989, the Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup (Macha Leima) - Vol. 34,35/36,
8. Mirang, 1994, published by Arambam Sornorendra for Meino and Khomdon Publications, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal
9. Leipaklei, 1993, published by Arambam Somorendra for Meino and Khomdon Publications, Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal
10. Sanatombi, 2001, published by Ararnbarn Somorendra Trust on 10 June
11. Tangang Mahajanna Tubada, 2002, published by Arambam Somorendra Trust on June 10,
12. Hayengdagee Canteen Bandh, 2002,published by Arambam Somorendra Trust on June 10,
13. Ipu Thangal General & Sak-Khangkhidraba Lanmi, 2002, published by Meinam Lokhon Trust
14. Nungshithel & Whiskey Bottle Ama, 2003, published by Macha Leima.

FILMS & TELEPLAYS

1. Matamgi Manipur, 1972 (the first Manipuri feature film based on Tirtha Jatra).
2. Judge Shahebki Imung, 1995, Teleplay, DDK, Imphal
3. Eikhoigi Mei, 1995, Teleplay, DDK, Imphal
4. Ishwarna Khangsanu, 1995, Teleplay, DDK, Imphal

AWARDS

1. Manipur State Kala Akademi Award for Literature, 1981 for Dasa (Misfortune).
2. Certificate of Honour, 1991, Government of Manipur.
3. Dr. Ambedkar Fellow, 1991 for the play Chingnungi Thawai (A play on Rani Gaidingliu) Awarded by the Dalit Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
4. Jamini Sunder Guha Gold Medal for Literature, 1995 for the play Leipaklei awarded by the Manipur Sahitya Parishad
5. Sahitya Akademi Award for Manipur Literature for the play, Leipaklei, 1995.