M. K. Binodini Devi

M. K. Binodini Devi Biography

M. K. Binodini Devi was an Indian writer from Manipur, who wrote several Manipuri film screenplays too. She wrote books in Meitei language. She was a member of the erstwhile royal family of Manipur. For her overall contributions towards the field of Indian art and culture, government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 1976. The following year she received Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi, based on the true life story of a Manipuri princess, daughter of Maharaj Surchandra Singh. She returned her Padma Shri in 2004 as a sort of protest following alleged rape and killing of Thangjam Manorama by 17 Assam Rifles personnel. She passed away in 2011.

Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi was born on 6 February 1922 in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. She is also known as Princess Wangolsana, and was the youngest among the five daughters of Churachand Singh and Dhanamanjuri Devi. She married L. Nanda Babu Roy, a surgeon in 1950 and had two sons. Her school and college education were completed in Shillong, followed by Vidyasagar College, West Bengal and Shantiniketan. Binodini Devi wrote books and articles in Meitei language. In 1939 while studying in 10^th standard, she made an attempt to publish her first short story called Imaton. It told about a relationship between a young man and his stepmother, and her tutor scolded her.

Her works are strongly rooted in Manipur tradition and portrays women as strong and unconventional characters. Her essays were frequently published in Manipuri newspapers. She wrote screenplays based on her stories, and also original ones. She wrote a total of 8 film screenplays and 4 documentaries. She was the founder director of Leikol, the literary organisation of women writers in Manipur.

Published: January 28, 2019

Updated: January 28, 2019