Rokunga

Rokunga (20 February 1914 – 12 July 1969) was a traditional writer and composer from Mizoram, India.

Rokunga
Born(1914-02-20)20 February 1914
Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Died12 July 1969(1969-07-12) (aged 55)
Aizawl
OccupationAcademic
Writer
Known forMizo literature
AwardsPoet of the Century

Musical compositions

He started composing songs in 1934. He is most well known for composing patriotic songs, traditional festive and Christmas songs. His remain the "most cherished" patriotic songs among the Mizo people.[1] He composed over 127 songs, the most popular of which are:

  • Ro Min Relsak Ang Che (Aw nang kan Lal kan Pathian)
  • Ka Pianna Zoram Nuam
  • Raltiang i Kai Ve Ang
  • Kan Zotlang Ram Nuam

Popularity

He is one of the best known composers in Mizo literature.[2] Kan Zotlang Ram Nuam (Our Fair Mizo Hill) is among the most popular songs;[3] while Aw nang kan Lal kan Pathian is considered as the Mizo "national anthem".[4][5]

Honours

He was posthumously honoured as Poet of the Century by Mizoram Millenium Celebration Committee in 2000.[6]

In 2008 a life-sized statue was erected at City Park in Aizawl.[1]

Legacy

In 1999 Rokunga Memorial Society (RMS) was established.[6] The society gives annual Rokunga Award to a Mizo individual who uphold and exemplified the traditional Mizo ethics. The award carries INR 50,000 and, as of 2018, is funded by the Mizo daily news agency Vanglaini.[7][8]

In 2016 Mizo Poetry Society was established in celebration of the birthday of Rokunga.[9]

References
  1. "Most celebrated Mizo poet". OneIndia. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  2. "Rokunga". Nunkhua. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  3. Nayar, Pramod K. (2008). "The postcolonial picturesque: The poetry of Northeast India". Commonwealth Essays and Studies. 30 (2): 5–21.
  4. "Ram humhalh kawngzawh neih a ni Mizoram humhalh turin sorkar an phût". Vanglaini. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  5. Vangchhia, H. "Ram thenkhat hla te". mi(sual).com. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  6. "Poet of the Century' Rokunga Kum 100-na lawmna pui ber neih a ni". Vanglaini. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  7. "Rokung Memorial Society buatsaih Rokunga Award, 2018 chu Lunglei District-a Lunglawn khaw mi, Pu R. Zaikunga hnenah pek a ni". Zonet. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  8. "R. Zaikunga hnenah 'Rokunga Award' hlan dawn". Lunglen. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  9. "Aizawlah World Poetry Day". DIPR, Government of Mizoram. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.


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