KP Sinha recalled in his 81st birthday

Poverty in appreciation is more lethal than poverty in wealth: Writer

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Jan 4: The 81st birth anniversary of Indologist KP Sinha that was observed at Baromuni in Cachar district on January 3 has brought it to light that if the very community which the Indologist was born in is poor in anything, it is mainly in ‘appreciating something good or someone doing good’.

The function organized on the occasion was presided over by dramatist and short story writer of repute Indra Kumar Sinha. He said that they would continue to remember KP Sinha for his enormous contribution to the Bishnupriya Manipuri community, besides oriental philosophy.

Former North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Prof. lini Kanta Sinha, who was the chief guest on the occasion, rued the fact that people from the younger generation were not interested in remembering scholars like KP Sinha. The former NEHU professor made it crystal clear that if the generation next is not interested in knowing what the former and present scholars, litterateurs and social activists have done for them now they will, in most of the cases, never try to evaluate the contribution of such works in the future as well.

One of the honourable guests present at the function, Prof. Smriti Kumar Sinha of Tezpur University, who is a short-story writer of repute, said: “If we’re poor in anything, it is in appreciating something good and someone doing good. And this poverty is more lethal than the poverty in wealth.” Citing some examples to buttress his point, Prof. Sinha said: “The contribution of Gokulanda Gitiswami couldn’t be evaluated properly when he was alive. The same is the case with Bhubaneswar Sadhuthakur.  Despite contributing a lot for the community he was born in and the mankind as well, KP Sinha failed to get the recognition for the elephantine works he had done for the community.”

Sangeet Guru Ranjit Sinha gave detailed information on the expertise KP Sinha had in the field of music. He happened to be a witnessed when KP Sinha and Pundit (Guru) Motilal Sinha had deliberated when KP Sinha’s ‘Elar Mala’ was in the making. ‘Elar Mala’ is a book of songs with notation written by KP Sinha.  “Elar Mala can be called a trend setter. Treading the path trodden by KP Sinha and Pundit Motilal Sinha I’ve given notation to around 250 songs. What pains me is that the ‘Elar Mala’ is still to be evaluated properly by the community members,” he said.

The programme began with two melodious songs of KP Sinha – E dukkhar kotha… and Je duwarhan khule dile aji… — by Niti Sinha.      

Former Mizoram Jail Superintendent Sashi Kumar Sinha, who received President’s medal, former NEHU Prof. lini Kanta Sinha and social activist Debadutta Sinha were felicitated on the occasion.  The Indologist was also remembered at Dibyashram located at Kachudharam on the outskirts of Silchar town, the birth place of the philosopher.  

Late KP Sinha is a me that needs no introduction in the field Indian Philosophy. Apart from philosophy he contributed a lot for the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, literature and culture. He had teaching stints in the Sanskrit Department in Gauhati University, Tripura University and Assam University.