The Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi on Friday announced three recipients for the Sahitya Akademi Award 2020 in the Manipuri Language category.
The recipient of the Main Award 2020 is Dr Irungbam Deben while the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2020 and Sahitya Akademi Yuva Purushkar 2020 went to Naorem Bidyasagar and Rameshwor Sharungbam respectively.
Dr Irungbam Deben was selected as a recipient for the prestigious award for his poetry book ‘Malangbana Kari Hairi’ that was published in 2017. Similarly, Naorem Bidyasagar is being honoured for her poetry book ‘Uchan Gi Meira’ published in 2017, while Rameshwor Sharungbam was selected for his poetry book ‘Kairaba Chaphu Machet’, published in 2019.
Dr Irungbam Deben was born in the year 1960 at Tentha, Thoubal district and is currently residing at Heirangoithong while also being a teacher for MBBS students at RIMS. The writer who has published his own seven poetry books is also a life-time member of several literary groups of the state. He has also participated in various literature summits all over the country and his works have also been featured in different literary journeys. It may be mentioned that his book ‘Numit Ama Punsi Ama’ was also honoured with the Huiyen Lanpao Literary Award 2014.
The recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2020, Naorem Bidyasagar was born in 1972 at Chaprou, Cachar district, and is currently serving as a teacher at Gurcharan College, Silchar. He is a renowned Manipuri poet and also writes for children. So far, he has contributed 10 books to Manipuri literature and his works have also been translated into other languages including English and Bangla.
Rameshwor Sharungbam, who is the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Purushkar 2020, is a youngster from Yairipok Bishnunaha, Thoubal district. He stepped into the field of arts and has been writing from a very early age, and is a popular lyricist for AIR Imphal. Besides being a frequent guest at various literary fests, he had also received a Young Travelling Grant from Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and had travelled extensively over Tripura. Rameshwor’s first published patriotic work has also been honoured by Patriotic Writers Forum Manipur by presenting him with the ‘Arambam Ibungohal and Binodkumari Literary Award 2014’. He is still working fulltime writing songs and poetry, while also keeping in association with various literary societies.
