Keisham Priyokumar

Keisham Priyokumar was born on 23 July 1949 at Tera Keithel Khuraijam Leikai, Imphal West, Manipur, to Keisham Dwijen Singh and Keisham Ongbi Padmabati Devi. He is the fourth of six siblings. A civil engineer by profession, he served in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Government of Manipur. Despite the demands of his professional life, Priyokumar emerged as one of the most notable short story writers in Manipuri literature. Deeply involved in the literary community, he has been an active member of Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti and Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, contributing significantly to the enrichment of Manipuri letters. He has served as the editor of the quarterly journal Wakhal published by Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti and Sahitygi Pao published by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal. At present, he is the editor of the quarterly Sahitygi Pao published by Writers’ Forum, Imphal. Priyokumar’s published works include Awaoba Punshi (1971), Eikhoi Yumlonnaba (1990), Nongdi Tarakhidre (1995), Lan Amasung Maang (2000), and Nongkhong Tamna (2019), all of which have established him as a major voice in Manipuri short fiction. His literary contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards and honours, including the Dr. Khoirom Tomchou Ningsing Sana gi Medal (1997) from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Bishnupur Branch; the Telem Abir Ningsing Mana (1997) from Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal; and the Dineshwori Mana (1998) from Cultural Forum Manipur. He is also the recipient of the Manipur State Kala Akademi Award, the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (1998), the Katha Award (1999) from Katha, New Delhi, and the Akoijam Chaoton and Rajkumari Muktasana Ningsing Mana (2022) awarded by Manipur Sahitya Samiti, Thoubal. Through his prolific short story writing, editorial work, and active participation in literary organisations, Keisham Priyokumar has played a vital role in shaping and enriching the landscape of contemporary Manipuri literature.