Imphal: ‘Lambisida Ngaijarakli’, a collection of lyrics by Khaidem Londonbala was launched in a simple function at the Hindi Parishad, Assembly Road, Imphal on Sunday.
Prof RajendraToijamba, Convener Manipuri Language Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi was the chief guest of the function and Nongmaithem Kirankumar Singh, President Manipuri Literary Society, Imphal, presided over the function. Prof Sagolsem Lanchenba Meitei, Dean School of Humanities, Dhanamanjuri University and Khogendra Khomdram, Editor Sangai Express, Manipuri edition attended the function as guests of honour while Salam Tomba, President, Quad Writers Moirang, was the reviewer of the book.
At the outset, Naorem Rajendra, General Secretary, Manipuri Literary Society, Imphal, gave the welcome speech.
Salam Tomba lauded the effort of Khaidem Londonbala for penning down some heart-wrenching lyrics, particularly ‘Lambisida Ngaijarakli’, which incidentally is the title of the collection. In the course of his review, Salam Tomba was emphatic that lyrics and poems are two distinct forms, lyrics touch the heart while a poem appeals to the intellect.
Speaking as a guest of Honour, Khogendra Khomdram said any writing in any literary genre with a strong message tends to have a lasting impression on the public.
Prof Lanchenba, dwelling further on the lyrics/poems debate stated that every lyric can be recited but not all poems can be sung as a song. The hold of beautifully written lyrics on the heart of the public never wanes even after years and cited the song ‘Ho Ema Poknapham Ema’ written by Jayanta Kumar Sharma and sung by Nongmaithem Pahari.
The Chief guest of the function, Prof Toijamba stressed the need to explore indigenous music forms beyond Hindustani classical music. He lauded the publication of Londonbala’s ‘Lambisida Ngaijarakli’ as a great achievement and ‘everyone should welcome it’
Kirankumar Singh in his presidential speech said that a song has three dimensions, the first being the writer who pens the lyrics, the second being the artist who gives voice to the words and the third being the listener. Lyrics, according to him, are very powerful and have a great impact on society. He also shed light on the evolving nature of lyrics which now covers every aspect of life.
Earlier, the writer Londonbala took a walk down the past trail and recounted her journey, and her struggle as a writer and a lyricist. She said the main idea behind launching her collection of lyrics is “to try and soothe the soul of this troubled state of ours for nothing uplifts us more than a beautiful song”.
