P. Kunjo Singh |
A prominent writer and educationist, Shri Kunjo has
served the Manipuri Community as a radical reformer.
Mr. Kunjo had his earlier education at Kakching and then graduated
from the Guwahati University, Assam.
Already a writer in the Manipuri language, he completed his M.A. in
Manipuri from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in 1974.
His services, in more than 35 years, in the fields of education, literature
and social welfare have been remarkable. He was the Founder-President of
the Writer’s Association, Kakching and Principal (Retired), the Kakching
Girls’ College. He also established a number of organizations such
as the Literary and Cultural Society, the Kha-Manipur Hindustani Sangeet
Mahavidyalaya, the Cine Society, and the Divine Life Society of Kakching.
He is also the Founder-Director of the District Yoga Training and Research
Association at Kakching, and is a former member of the Sangeet Natak
Academy and the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal. Mr. Kunjo
encouraged young artists to enrich Manipuri Ras Lila, folk art and traditional
customs. It was through his persistent appreciation of art, poetry,
and fiction that he contributed to the society several books on poetry
like - Ijaningi Pareng Amatang Kabitagi, Ranigi Thamoi Kaiba Glass, Anouba
Yaongi Meiri, Thongnaoshigi Shaktam, Biplab ki Ishei, and short stories
like Meisha Langba and a collection of his English poems - The Goddess
of Dawn. Besides, he has edited two Journals - Natik Nangal
and Sheirengshei Nachom. In his spare time, he sings bhajans, and
organizes youth camps and spiritual yoga meets all across Manipur and the
northeast. Mr. Kunjo is a recipient of the Bharat Excellent Award,
which made its way to him, for his outstanding service and contribution
to Manipuri literature, art and education.
[Rising Personalities of India, page 91, New Delhi, 1997].