Ashangbam Minaketan Singh
Encyclopedia
Ashangbam Minaketan Singh is regarded as the founder of Modern Manipuri literature.
He was born as the only child to Ashangbam Jivan Singh and Medhabati Devi on 2 May, the year 1906.
His grandfather Ashang Kut also known as Ashangbam Phura Hongba served as a soldier in The Maharaja of Manipur's army. In March 1891 he played a part in the assassination
of British officials and was thereby sentenced for transportation on charge of murder
.
He was sentenced twenty five years of life imprisonment
at Kalapani Jail, which is now located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
.
Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calcutta
.
Address: Uripok, Panchayat Maning, Imphal
, Manipur
, India.
Nationality: Indian.
Service: Secretary, Board of Secondary Education, Manipur; Lecturer of Manipur College in 1962-82; Principal, Thoubal College in 1982-83;
and Education
(1985), Hons. Fellow, Manipur State Kala Academy, 'Sahitya-ratna' (from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad); 'Kavi Samrat' (from Thangal Marup, Hailakandi, Cachhar); Sahitya Academy Award in Asheibagi Nityaipod (Poetry)(1977),
Soviet Land Nehru Award(1977).
Ashangbam Minaketan State Level Birth Centenary Celebration Committee, Imphal observed the 100th birth anniversary of the poet throughout the year 2006, beginning from the 2nd May 2006, the birth day of the poet. The celebration committee comprising people of literary figure of Manipur included representatives from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, Cultural Forum Manipur, Writers' Forum and Manipuri Literary Society. Ashangbam Minaketan Singh is a name to reckon with among the pioneer poets of Manipuri literature. He belonged to the generation which had grown up and saw the difficult times of Manipur in the socio-economic condition under the monarchic system
of Govt shaped by the colonial
rule of British Empire
. But at the same time, the early part of the 20th century was a glorious year, a transcendental period what we call the renaissance period of Manipuri literature. Minaketan was born at Wangkhei in Ashangbam family but was brought up in the family of Royal descendents of Maharaja Nara Singh by Sanajaobi Devi, the grand daughter of Maharaj Nara Singh at Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leirak. He graduated from Calcutta University in 1930 and by that time he had mastered English, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit and the old Manipuri languages with utmost fluency. Minaketan left his footprints on every field of literature and touched every aspects of literary products: poetry, prose, essays, translations, mythology
, biography
, autobiography
, criticism
. His published works numbered more than 25 books on these different branches of literature. During his lifetime he was honoured and decorated with many titles and awards. He was awarded Sahitya Ratna (1971), Sahitya Akademi
Award (1976), Kavi Samrat (1980), the most eminent citizen of Manipur (1985), Padma-shree (1985), Shubharna Jayanti Sanman Award (1986), Jamini Sunder Guha Gold medal (1988), Thoibi Award (1988), Lalit Memorial Gold Medal (1990) and many, many more prestigious awards. He had associated himself with many State advisory committees. The list is endless and it is beyond the purview of this column to write all. In short, Minaketan himself was an institution, a school of variety of thoughts. When one thinks of Minaketan, the list of literary works and knowledge in other subjects spring to one's mind, he or she will find that each book or price of writing of Minaketan in each is weightily enough for a comprehensive article or an academic thesis. Any approach to him will end up only to find a facet of the whole diamond. One inimitable quality which keep Minaketan apart from other poets, which make him to occupy a special place in the annals of Manipur literature is his invention of new words purely from old Manipuri languages spoken in the old days. In Minaketan's poetry people come across obscure and recondite words or references which is too difficult to understand at the first reading. The vast learning and the vast knowledge he had acquired is expressed in such a twisted manner that it becomes difficult to follow what the poet really intends to say. About Minaketan's style and choice of words poet Shree Biren has this observation - It is a fact that any reader will find himself a kind of push which violently thrown out at the very threshold. In order to know the true Minaketan a reader must face this kind of repulsion and must try to open the door and if one had succeeded to open the door of his treasure house then he will surely enjoy the beauty in the writings and words of Minaketan. Minaketan had the power of impressing the imagination by lines of splen-dour and magnificence suggesting some half-expressed thoughts, some dimly shadowed emotions. People come across many suggestive lines of beauty and mysticism in his poetry. In the twilight years of his life he had seen the mother in every woman even in his own daughter. In his poem 'Sanarik Pareng' he penned 'My loving daughter/ you are my mother/ My mother in you darling'. The sense of vastness and immensity is suggested in several lines of his poem 'Bidai Ashirbad'.
The mystery of life is exquisitely and yet mystically suggested:
Premna Lingba Jagatnido Puba-nido Premna/
Pubanido Premna Tengbal Hingba-nido Premna
(Love makes the universe love binds the universe/ love gives soul to the world) The body and the soul are united for him with love to the whole of universe.
He has expressed in a way no other poet has done, the hunger of the human heart for love and beauty, the hunger of the human soul for those in palpable mysteries that touch the horizon of human heart.
In his last poem 'Yachang Sheirol Khameen Tengtha' there is an expression of a communion with god with his love of motherland. He almost lost himself in a dream, in the land of his forefathers, that stands aloof from others with barriers of hill ranges put as a crown on the head of a beautiful lass that is none other but Manipur, the land of his fathers.
Minaketan lived a fruitful long 89 years even having to see and play with his youngest grandson, encompassing the whole of the 20th century. He died of Heart Attack in the year 1995 leaving behind his family and above all his legacy in Manipuri literature. He was rightly the representative of the Manipuri Literature in the whole of 20th century. On his death it was rightfully reported that "The Colossus of Manipur Fell."
He was born as the only child to Ashangbam Jivan Singh and Medhabati Devi on 2 May, the year 1906.
His grandfather Ashang Kut also known as Ashangbam Phura Hongba served as a soldier in The Maharaja of Manipur's army. In March 1891 he played a part in the assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
of British officials and was thereby sentenced for transportation on charge of murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
.
He was sentenced twenty five years of life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
at Kalapani Jail, which is now located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
.
Address: Uripok, Panchayat Maning, Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
, Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
, India.
Nationality: Indian.
Service: Secretary, Board of Secondary Education, Manipur; Lecturer of Manipur College in 1962-82; Principal, Thoubal College in 1982-83;
Awards
Padma Shri Award in the field of LiteratureLiterature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
(1985), Hons. Fellow, Manipur State Kala Academy, 'Sahitya-ratna' (from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad); 'Kavi Samrat' (from Thangal Marup, Hailakandi, Cachhar); Sahitya Academy Award in Asheibagi Nityaipod (Poetry)(1977),
Soviet Land Nehru Award(1977).
Published works
Basanta Sheireng (Poetry), 1928; Asheibagi Nityaipod (Poetry), 1976; Asheibagi Sheirol, 1977; Tonu Laijinglembi (Play); Bharatki Lonsingi Marakta (Essay); Meitei Upanyas (Criticism).Ashangbam Minaketan State Level Birth Centenary Celebration Committee, Imphal observed the 100th birth anniversary of the poet throughout the year 2006, beginning from the 2nd May 2006, the birth day of the poet. The celebration committee comprising people of literary figure of Manipur included representatives from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, Cultural Forum Manipur, Writers' Forum and Manipuri Literary Society. Ashangbam Minaketan Singh is a name to reckon with among the pioneer poets of Manipuri literature. He belonged to the generation which had grown up and saw the difficult times of Manipur in the socio-economic condition under the monarchic system
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
of Govt shaped by the colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
rule of British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. But at the same time, the early part of the 20th century was a glorious year, a transcendental period what we call the renaissance period of Manipuri literature. Minaketan was born at Wangkhei in Ashangbam family but was brought up in the family of Royal descendents of Maharaja Nara Singh by Sanajaobi Devi, the grand daughter of Maharaj Nara Singh at Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leirak. He graduated from Calcutta University in 1930 and by that time he had mastered English, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit and the old Manipuri languages with utmost fluency. Minaketan left his footprints on every field of literature and touched every aspects of literary products: poetry, prose, essays, translations, mythology
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
, biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
, autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, criticism
Criticism
Criticism is the judgement of the merits and faults of the work or actions of an individual or group by another . To criticize does not necessarily imply to find fault, but the word is often taken to mean the simple expression of an objection against prejudice, or a disapproval.Another meaning of...
. His published works numbered more than 25 books on these different branches of literature. During his lifetime he was honoured and decorated with many titles and awards. He was awarded Sahitya Ratna (1971), Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
Award (1976), Kavi Samrat (1980), the most eminent citizen of Manipur (1985), Padma-shree (1985), Shubharna Jayanti Sanman Award (1986), Jamini Sunder Guha Gold medal (1988), Thoibi Award (1988), Lalit Memorial Gold Medal (1990) and many, many more prestigious awards. He had associated himself with many State advisory committees. The list is endless and it is beyond the purview of this column to write all. In short, Minaketan himself was an institution, a school of variety of thoughts. When one thinks of Minaketan, the list of literary works and knowledge in other subjects spring to one's mind, he or she will find that each book or price of writing of Minaketan in each is weightily enough for a comprehensive article or an academic thesis. Any approach to him will end up only to find a facet of the whole diamond. One inimitable quality which keep Minaketan apart from other poets, which make him to occupy a special place in the annals of Manipur literature is his invention of new words purely from old Manipuri languages spoken in the old days. In Minaketan's poetry people come across obscure and recondite words or references which is too difficult to understand at the first reading. The vast learning and the vast knowledge he had acquired is expressed in such a twisted manner that it becomes difficult to follow what the poet really intends to say. About Minaketan's style and choice of words poet Shree Biren has this observation - It is a fact that any reader will find himself a kind of push which violently thrown out at the very threshold. In order to know the true Minaketan a reader must face this kind of repulsion and must try to open the door and if one had succeeded to open the door of his treasure house then he will surely enjoy the beauty in the writings and words of Minaketan. Minaketan had the power of impressing the imagination by lines of splen-dour and magnificence suggesting some half-expressed thoughts, some dimly shadowed emotions. People come across many suggestive lines of beauty and mysticism in his poetry. In the twilight years of his life he had seen the mother in every woman even in his own daughter. In his poem 'Sanarik Pareng' he penned 'My loving daughter/ you are my mother/ My mother in you darling'. The sense of vastness and immensity is suggested in several lines of his poem 'Bidai Ashirbad'.
The mystery of life is exquisitely and yet mystically suggested:
Premna Lingba Jagatnido Puba-nido Premna/
Pubanido Premna Tengbal Hingba-nido Premna
(Love makes the universe love binds the universe/ love gives soul to the world) The body and the soul are united for him with love to the whole of universe.
He has expressed in a way no other poet has done, the hunger of the human heart for love and beauty, the hunger of the human soul for those in palpable mysteries that touch the horizon of human heart.
In his last poem 'Yachang Sheirol Khameen Tengtha' there is an expression of a communion with god with his love of motherland. He almost lost himself in a dream, in the land of his forefathers, that stands aloof from others with barriers of hill ranges put as a crown on the head of a beautiful lass that is none other but Manipur, the land of his fathers.
Minaketan lived a fruitful long 89 years even having to see and play with his youngest grandson, encompassing the whole of the 20th century. He died of Heart Attack in the year 1995 leaving behind his family and above all his legacy in Manipuri literature. He was rightly the representative of the Manipuri Literature in the whole of 20th century. On his death it was rightfully reported that "The Colossus of Manipur Fell."