Arambam Memchoubi

Arambam Memchoubi was born on 1 January 1957 at Kwakeithel Moirangpuren, Imphal West, Manipur. She is married and currently resides at Sagolband Meino Leirak, Imphal. A distinguished scholar, she holds a Ph.D. degree and taught at C.C. Higher Secondary School before retiring from her teaching career. Although she is widely recognised as one of the leading poets of contemporary Manipuri literature, Memchoubi is also an accomplished writer of travelogues, prose, literary criticism, and translations, and has made significant contributions across multiple genres. Her published works include numerous acclaimed poetry collections such as Nongoubi (1984), Andro gi Mei (1990), Sangdrembi Chaishra (1993), Eigi Palem Nungshibi (1998), Idu Ningthou (2005), Leishang (2008), Tuifai o Ningthibi (2013), and Thamamba Ahing (2021). She has also authored two travelogues, Europe ki Mapao (2001) and Kortoya Torbanda (2023). In addition to poetry and travel writing, her contributions to prose and literary criticism include Phou Charong (1995), Wakma Maibi (1999), Haoreima Sambubi (2000), Amaibi: Manipur da Samanism (2006), and the biographical work Taoubo: Irabotki Aroiba Yahippham (2015). Memchoubi has also edited several significant anthologies that have enriched Manipuri literary scholarship, including An Anthology of Women Writing (20th Century) in Manipuri Literature (2003) published by Sahitya Akademi, Loilam Matung gi Manipuri Seireng (2017) published by Asheilup, and Manipuri Khorirolda Khongjom Lan (2022), also published by Asheilup. Her translation works include Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak, which was translated into Manipuri and dramatized for broadcast by All India Radio, Imphal in 2006, and G. Bagyalaksmi’s Happiness Unbound, translated into Manipuri as Makhei Leitana Penjaba. Beyond writing and editing, Memchoubi has held important editorial positions. She was the former editor of Macha Leima journal and Ritu, the literary journal of Cultural Forum Manipur. At present, she serves as the editor of Seireng, the journal published by Asheilup, Manipur. Over her distinguished career, she has been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Khaidem Pramodini Ningsing Gold Medal (1995) by Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti, Imphal; the Seram Mukta Mana (2003) by the Literary Society, Imphal; the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award (2004); the Ningombam Ongbi Pramodini Ningsing Sahitya Mana (2007) by Manipur Sahitya Samiti, Thoubal; and the Sahitya Akademi Award (2008) by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. She has also received the Gopal Sharma Award (2020) from Sathoulup, Manipur; the Khamba Thoibi Literary Award (2022) from KWAD Writers, Moirang; the Tayenjam Jayenta Poetry Award (2022) from Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti; and the Mahakavi Hijam Anganghal Seireng Mana (2023) from the Fiction and Poetry Club, Manipur. Through her wide-ranging contributions to poetry, prose, translation, and literary criticism, as well as her dedicated editorial and institutional work, Arambam Memchoubi has established herself as one of the most influential and respected figures in contemporary Manipuri literature.