By Dr Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: All Manipur Muslim (Meitei-Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA) has felicitated Mohammad Sahid Chowdhury, the renowned Manipuri Muslim poet from Barak valley of Assam.
He was felicitated at a function held at Hafiz Hatta here on May 11, 2015.
Mohammad Sahid Chowdhury giving speech
Chowdhury was here to receive the Kavya Bhusan Award given by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal for his contribution to Manipuri literature. The award was handed to him by the Chief Minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh at a grand function held at J N Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal on May 10, 2015 in connection with the 80th Anniversary of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal.
In all, 29 individuals from different fields of art and literature were awarded at the function.
The felicitation function was attended by the executive members of AMPWA and Writers’ Union, Manipur. Chowdhury, president of AMPWA, Professor M A Janab Khan, former member of Manipur Public Service Commission, M A Sattar, also a retired IAS officer, and A R Khan, IAS retired, were at the dais.
In his keynote address, Dr Syed Ahmed, secretary general of AMPWA, highlighted the literary works of Chowdhury, who in turn, in his short speech, shared a glimpse of his literary journey. He described his visit to Manipur as home-coming. Other speakers at the function congratulated Chowdhury on his achievements and awards.
Chowdhury, a well-known poet of the Barak Valley, was born to Abdul Wahab Chowdhury and Begum Karimun Nisa on November 1, 1947 at Epham Leikai, Banskandi in Cachar district of Assam. After the completion of his Masters’ degree in Economics and M Phil, he joined Nehru College in Paylapul as a lecturer in 1970. He retired as Principal from the same college in 2006.
Chowdhury’s interest in poetry bloomed from an early age. A collection of poems in Manipuri titled Kunsuba Satabdi (20th Century) was published in 1979. His other prominent compilation of poetry titled Sanamachugi Ayuk (Golden Coloured Morning) was published in 1992. He also authored a biography of Hazrat Maulana Tayeb Kasmi, the former Mohtamim/Principal of Banskandi Madrasa, published in 2005.
Chowdhury has been associated with various literary bodies. He is the life member of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam and also served as the President of the Parishad’s Lakhimpur district committee. He was a member of the advisory board of All India Radio. He was also the Honorary Principal of F U Ali Ahmed Degree College.
Chowdhury had edited few literary journals. He was the founder editor of Numit Lei (1977), At-Tayib (2009) and Anouba Echel, a journal of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam.
He has also over the years contributed poems in some of the edited volumes, namely Kanchi Saireng published by Manipur University, Leibakningba Esai amasung Seireng published by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi in 1999, Ningtam matunggi Seireng published by Book Trust of India, New Delhi.
Chowdhury was conferred Kamini Kumar Award by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal in 1993, Kavya Bhusan by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam and Teacher Fellowship by University Grants Commission, New Delhi.