Khwairakpam Chaoba

Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh (1895 in Uripok Sorbon Thingen leikai, Imphal – 1950) was a poet, essayist, prose-writer and novelist. He was influenced by Sanskrit tradition and is regarded as one of the best known writers of modern Meitei literature.[1][2] He founded the Manipuri Sahitya Sammelini of Meitei literature along with Dr. Lamabam Kamal Singh, Hijam Irabot and Hijam Angahal[3] He adapted Thomas Gray's poem Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard into Meitei as Awaba ishei and included in his 1946 poem Thainagi Leirang (Ancient Flower),[4] a poem which "laments the sad and poor life of country men who died unsung and unhonored".[1]

Biography

He presented the first historical novel in Meitei – Lavangalata which is considered to be an outstanding work. This is perhaps one of the greatest novels in Meitei literature. His other prose works are Wakhalgi Ichen (Thought Current), Wakhal (Thought), Phidam (Ideal), Kannaba Wa (Useful Words) and Chhatra Macha (Student). He also wrote incomplete works Madhu Malati and Naba-Malika[5] His published work includes:

  • Chhatra Macha, 1923
  • Kannaba Wa, 1924
  • Phidam
  • Wakhal
  • Wakhalgi Ichen
  • Thainagi Leirang, Poetry, 1933
  • Lavangalata, Novel, 1937

Recognition and reception

He was awarded the Sahitya Ratna by the Manipur Sahitya Parishad in 1948.[6] Fellow author and poet Elangbam Dinamani Singh included Chaoba in his one of his books about criticism of poets. In Amaresh Datta's Encyclopedia of Indian Literature, Volume 1, he says of Chaoba: "By use of common language and very homely image, [he] could set a good example of elegy in Meitei through this single poem. In fact, many of the poems of [his] contain eelegaic elements and atmosphere, as he looks upon the human life from a melancholic and tragic standpoint. This feeling comes to him from his love of everything Manipuri, the flora and fauna, the disintegrated tradition, which was once the beacon light and his deep involvement with the lot of man in his life. Therefore, when he writes about aunt ng, an elegaic feeling pervades his mind and as a result, his expression becomes melancholic and elegaic in nature".[1]

References
  1. Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopedia of Indian Literature Volume 1. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 1145–1153. ISBN 8126011947. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. Parrat, John (2005). ounded Land: Politics and Identity in Modern Manipur. Mittal Publications. p. 29. ISBN 8183240534. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. Kshetri, Rajendra (2006). The Emergence of Meetei Nationalism: A Study of Two Movements Among the Meeteis. Mittal Publications. p. 67. ISBN 8183241166. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  4. George, K. M. (1997). Masterpieces of Indian literature, Volume 1. National Book Trust. pp. 806–839. ISBN 8123719787. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  5. L. Kamal Singh. Sahitya Akademi. 2000. p. 12. ISBN 8126008563. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  6. Burningvoices. "Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
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