LEIKOL president Kshetrimayum Subadani on Sunday stressed the need to make more efforts by the public and the government to promote Manipuri literature at a global level, while asserting that language, script and literature are the identity of a state or countries.
Subadani was speaking as the president at a one-day symposium on ‘Ani suba prithvigi lanjao amasung Manipuri sahitya’ (Second World War and Manipuri literature) organised by Leimarol Khorjeikol (LEIKOL) at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), Yaiskul.
It was organised as a celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of MK Binodini.
A journal ‘Leikol’ was published as a part of the programme.
She further said that not so many literary works from the state have reached the international level. However, some works already exist like the film ‘Imagi Ningthem’ which is based on a story written by MK Binodini.
The film bagged the Grand Prix Award, she said, adding the present generation must think of producing more literary works that can attract the international audience or readers.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal president Longjam Joychandra said that LEIKOL is one of the highly valuable literary organisations for women in the state.
It has been playing significant roles in preservation and promotion of Manipuri language and literature, he said. He also said that Manipur has undergone many historical events such as the Seven Years Devastation, the 2nd World War, Hinduisation and so on from the historical period.
Writers of the state reflected such events in their writings or literary works, he said. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss and research on how literature contributed in recollecting the mentioned historical event, he added.
Recalling the works of writer MK Binodini, he said that though MK Binodini is no more, her contribution to literature during her lifetime has made her immortal.
Three people presented their papers during the occasion. They are assistant professor, Nambol Sanoi College Salam Shantibala on ‘Manipuri Fiction da Prithvigi Aisuba Lanjao’, lecturer, CC Higher Secondary School L Sangita on ‘Prithvigi Anisuba Lanjao Amasung Manipuri Drama’ and Maisnam Chanchan of LGT Heibongpokpi High School on ‘Anisuba Prithvigi Lanjao amasung Autobiography’.
