Literature is a part of the heritage of India. Indian literature exists in varied languages. Various Indians skilled in writing have contributed in creating this part of India"s heritage in the form of stories, novels, prose, essays, etc. Manipuri Authors are no exception in this regard. Some of these authors and their works are described and mentioned below.
M. K. Binodini Devi
M. K. Binodini Devi, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur represents the north eastern state of Manipur mainly as a writer. She has displayed her versatility in writing short stories, essays (like Maharaj Churchandgi Imung- a collection of 34 personal memoir essays), novel (Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi), plays, screenplays, lyrics, film scripts and ballet scripts and is known to connect ancient royalty and modern art. Binodini Devi is also a noted sculptor. As a translator, Binodini Devi has converted the works of Bengali writers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Shankar and Badal Sircar into Meitei.
Ashangbam Minaketan Singh
Ashangbam Minaketan Singh is recognized as the founder of modern Meitei literature from Manipur. Forms of literature which Minaketan Singh has explored are poetry, prose, essays, translations, mythology, biography, autobiography and criticism.
H. Guno Singh
In the field of Manipuri literature, H. Guno Singh is identified as short story writer and a translator. Some of his notable creations are Aroiba Paodam, Khudol, Langjim Manghrabi Kishi and Laman. He is credited with the translation of Sukumar Sen"s History of Bengali Literature into Manipuri.
Loitongbam Pacha Meetei
Loitongbam Pacha Meetei is celebrated as a Manipuri novelist. His novel "Imphal Amasung Magi Esing Nungsitki Phibham" (Imphal and its climatic condition) fetched him Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973. Some of his published literary contributions are Anouba Pao Ama, Thanil, Na Tathiba Ahal Ama and Peegi Wari. A study of Meetei"s manuscripts has revealed him to be skilled in writing poetry and drama as well. He has used unique language in portraying human feelings and emotion and sadness is known to stretch throughout his works.
Sudhir Naoroibam
Sudhir Naoroibam is identified as a short story writer. He is known to consolidate his position in the Manipuri literature with the publication of Leiye Khara Punsi Khara (1998), which yielded him the Sahitya Academi Award in 2003. Naoroibam"s other short story collections are Yokchabi Bangladesh (1990) and Mei Changlaba Chek (1992). He has also explored himself as an editor. He works for a Manipuri daily newspaper called Poknapham, as a feature editor.
Other Manipuri Authors
Some of the other Manipuri Authors are Lamaban Kamal Singh, Hijam Anganghal Singh and Saratchand Thiyam.