Quick Facts
Biography
Maharaj Kumari Binodini Deviwas an Indian novelist, short story writer, playwright and a member of royal family of Manipur.
She published books under the single name of Binodini.
Life
She was born to Sir Maharaj Churachand Singh, the king of Manipur and Maharani Dhanamanjuri on 6 February 1922. She was known by the name Wangolsana or Sana Wangol in the royal palace. She is the first woman graduate of Manipur. She got married to Dr. Laifungbam Nandalal Roy right after she completed her studies. She has two sons, L. Devabrata Roy and L. Somi Roy.
Her life as a writer
She started writing at the age of 17 with her short story Imaton. Her first book to be published is Nunggairakta Chandramukhi, a collection of 16 short stories in the year 1965. She received the Jamini Sundar Guha Gold Medal for the book. She received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1979 for her magnum opus Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi. The novel is about the writer's aunt Sanatombi and the political agent of Manipur.
She has also written plays. A notable play is Ashangba Nongjabi (English: Crimson Rainclouds), which tells the story of a painter Gautam. She translated a play written by Badal Sircar as Amasung Indrajit, which was later performed by the artistes of the Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU), Imphal. Binodini also wrote scripts for Manipuri films. In the feature category, Olangthagee Wangmadasoo, Imagi Ningthem, Paokhum Ama, Ishanou, Sanabi, Mayophygee Macha and Nangna Kappa Pakchade may be mentioned. She also scripted Orchids of Manipur, Sangai: The Dancing Deer of Manipur and Laa, which are non-feature films. Her play Ashangba Nongjabi is later produced into a feature film. Her last book is Maharaj Churachandgi Imung, a novel which was published in the year 2008.
In popular culture
In 2001, a non-feature film titled Binodini: A Writer's Life documenting her life was made by Aribam Syam Sharma.
