Crafting the Word: Writings from Manipur

Manipur has a rich tradition of folk and oral narratives as well as written texts dating from as early as in eighth century ad. But it was only in the second half of the twentieth century that women began writing and publishing their works.  today womens writing forms a vibrant part of Manipuri literature and their voices are amplified through their coming together as an all-woman literary group. Put together in discussions and workshops by thingnam anjulika samom crafting the word captures a region steeped in conservative patriarchy and at the center  of an armed conflict. It is also a place however where women&; S activism has been at the forefront of Peace-making and where their contributions in informal commerce and trade hold together the economy of daily life. About the Author THINGNAM ANJULIKA SAMOM is an independent journalist writer and translator based in Imphal Manipur. Her journalistic writing focusing on gender conflict and developmental issues in Manipur has been published in many online and print publications in India as well as outside the country. She is the recipient of the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity 2010-11 (Eastern Region). She also translates literary works from Manipuri to English and was given the Katha Award for Translation in 2004. A few of her poems are part of the anthologyCentrepiece (2017) published by Zubaan.