Noted writer and lyricist Kh Prakash no more

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 17 : Prominent Manipuri writer and lyricist Khumanthem Prakash breathed his last in the early hours of January 17. He was 94.
He is survived by his wife and 8 children.
Eminent personalities including noted filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma; Professor Huirem Bihari, former Dean, School of Humanities, Manipur University and renowned singer Chongtham Kamala have conveyed heartfelt condolences at the passing of Khumanthem Prakash.
Additionally, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, Sheirengba Shinggi Apunba Lup (SHAL) and Cultural Forum, Manipur organised condolence meetings at their respective offices and mourned his death.
Extending condolences to the bereaved family, they also offered prayers for the departed soul to rest in peace.
Prakash was born on March 27, 1931 as the youngest child of Khumanthem Kaomacha and Nilamani at Sagolband Meino Leirak.
Some of his notable works include short stories collection "Ichegi Sham" (1965), short story "Mang gi Eshei" (1984) which won him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986, lyrics collection "Eshei Pareng" (1997), travelogue "Eiffel Tower Makhongda Kanglei Thokpa" (2010), short story "Iche Bino" (2012), poetry collection "Lalhouba Amasung Atei Sheireng Sing" (2017), winner of Sahitya Akademi Translation Award in 2019 and "Eihak ki Punsida" (2021).
As a lyricist, people remember him for "Liraba Leikolgi Khuiraba Leirang" sung by Nongmaithem Pahari and his songs in Manipuri film "Olangthagi Wangmadasu" which won the Best Lyrics Award at the first Manipuri State Film Festival 1984.
He was also conferred the Akademi Fellow Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in 2014.
Khumanthem Prakash joined the All India Radio Guwahati in 1959 as staff artiste and went on to serve as producer and programme executive and as Assistant Director at AIR Imphal.
One of his notable contributions is the popular "Mani Mala" radio show.
He also served at Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi in 1982 and was the first Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy retiring in 1996.
During his lifetime, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the Sahitya Akademi New Delhi and convenor of the Manipuri Language Advisory Board.
Khumanthem Prakash also served as the president of Cultural Forum Manipur (1984), Writers' Forum Imphal (2000) and Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal (2002).