In loving memory of Prof Nongmaithem Tombi Singh (First Death Anniversary 12th March 2026)
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Dr Anuradha Nongmaithem
Today, 12th March 2026 marks the first death anniversary of late Prof Nongmaithem Tombi Singh. As per the Manipuri calendar, the death anniversary falls on 1st March 2026 (Lamta gi tarahumdoini panba) and accordingly Phiroy was conducted as per the Manipuri thabal. Time waits for no one. It felt just like yesterday as I got the news that my father is no more. One year has passed, yet the emptiness created by his absence remains profound, a space that can never truly be filled. In the tender memories of my dear Pabung, I pause in recall, thankfulness, and introspection.
At the outset let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us. I want to sincerely thank everyone for their sympathies and support after my father, Prof. (Dr) Nongmaithem Tombi Singh, died unexpectedly. As we work through this time of sadness, all of the thoughtful messages have given us much-needed comfort and strength. Knowing that we have the support of wonderful people and various literary organizations truly meant a lot to us.
We have personally received condolence messages from various literary organizations which includes, The Critics Forum Manipur, Sahitya Thoupang Lup, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (Manipur), Mani-pur University, Manipur University Teachers’ Association ( MUTA), Manipuri Department (MU), Arts Society Manipur, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (Tripura), Manipuri Literary And Cultural Forum (Tripura), Manipuri Literary Society, Kalakshetra (Manipur), Writers’ Forum, Imphal, The Cultural Forum, Mani-pur, Iramdam Meeyamgi Apunba Khorjei Lup, The Leikol (Leimarol Khor-jeikol), Ashangba Commu- nication, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, Imphal, Finding the Voices, Lam-yanba Sangsthan (Tripura). It is heartwarming to see how my father’s life and contributions were appreciated and respected by so many. It was truly a sense of love and appreciation that we all felt.
I must also acknowledge all the writers and contributors of articles in the local newspapers about my father and their association with him, which has helped me to see the different insights of his professional and academic career and his contribution in the field of art, culture and literature of Manipur.
A special mention to BB Sharma for completing the wall painting of Loktak Lake assigned to him by my father. Your dedication and hard work is really appreciated. I am also obliged to Mr Brojendro and his team for covering the shraddha ceremony (24/3/2025) of my father which will forever remain as a tribute to the last rite of the legendary scholar of Ima Manipur.
I must also not forget Pabung Chou, Tamo Bhu-shan, Tamo Tarun, Mam Pardeep, Ebai Sanaton, Khurachou, Khuramcha, Enecha, Edomcha Nabami, Edomcha Enaotombi, Oja Athokpam Kholchandra Singh, Oja Lamabam Go-jendra and Oja Loitongbam Dorendra, Tamo Surjit Loitam and I am also forever beholden to all my relatives, friends near and dear ones for the constant support and prayers during our difficult time. I sincerely appreciate every visit, every call, every message, and every silent prayer offered in his memory. Your continued remembrance keeps his spirit alive. The support extended to our family during the past year has been a source of strength and comfort beyond words.
I must also not forget to take the names of my dear colleagues of NIT Agartala, Prof RP Sharma, Dr Tilottama Chakraborty, Dr Bhogendro Meitei, Dr Kaju Nath, Dr Amit Bikram Chowdhury, Dr Kiranmala Thingujam, Mr Nadendu Debnath and Mr Sachin for their thoughtful messages and phone calls to extend their emotional support, and Pabung’s literary associates from Tripura Echema L Mina Devi, Oja Kh Birala, Pabung Abhiram and Echema Kh Madhabi, Oja Biramangal, Oja W Biramangal and RK Tarunjit and many more for their prayers.
The year 2025 has been particularly unfortunate for both the Manipur literary society and my family. It has witnessed the passing of several eminent figures whose contributions shaped our cultural and intellectual landscape, including the legendary theatre personality Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam and legendary dancer Padma Shri awardee Thiyam Surya-mukhi Devi, Pabung RK Jitendrajit Singh (Scholar from Tripura), they were also closely associated with my pabung. We feel as though an era in Manipur’s literary, artistic, and academic legacy has come to an end with the departure of such towering figures. My father’s passing stands among these irreparable losses marking not just a personal grief for our family, but a quiet yet significant loss for the larger academic and cultural fraternity.
As a Professor, my father devoted his life to nurturing young minds. Teaching for him was not merely a profession but a sanctified responsibility. His classroom was a space of discipline, compassion, and intellectual awakening. Generations of students remember him not only for his scholarship but for his humility, integrity, and encouragement. He believed deeply in education as a transformative force, one that builds character as much as it builds knowledge.
There is an indescribable silence at home (Keishampat) as a result of his absence. The advice we used to rely on so easily is now a far-off memory that we cherish. However, his principles still serve as a guide for us even though he is no longer with us. His life served as an example of selflessness, commitment, and service to humanity.
My father’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the principles he embodied. My father believed in humility, hard work, and service to society. He taught us that true success lies in uplifting others. Today, as we remember him, we also reaffirm our commitment to carry forward the values he instilled in us. His life remains our guiding light. I pledge to fulfill all his wishes and dreams to the best of my capability.
Forever remembered, forever cherished and with deepest gratitude for being our beloved Pabung.
Today, 12th March 2026 marks the first death anniversary of late Prof Nongmaithem Tombi Singh. As per the Manipuri calendar, the death anniversary falls on 1st March 2026 (Lamta gi tarahumdoini panba) and accordingly Phiroy was conducted as per the Manipuri thabal. Time waits for no one. It felt just like yesterday as I got the news that my father is no more. One year has passed, yet the emptiness created by his absence remains profound, a space that can never truly be filled. In the tender memories of my dear Pabung, I pause in recall, thankfulness, and introspection.
At the outset let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us. I want to sincerely thank everyone for their sympathies and support after my father, Prof. (Dr) Nongmaithem Tombi Singh, died unexpectedly. As we work through this time of sadness, all of the thoughtful messages have given us much-needed comfort and strength. Knowing that we have the support of wonderful people and various literary organizations truly meant a lot to us.
We have personally received condolence messages from various literary organizations which includes, The Critics Forum Manipur, Sahitya Thoupang Lup, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (Manipur), Mani-pur University, Manipur University Teachers’ Association ( MUTA), Manipuri Department (MU), Arts Society Manipur, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (Tripura), Manipuri Literary And Cultural Forum (Tripura), Manipuri Literary Society, Kalakshetra (Manipur), Writers’ Forum, Imphal, The Cultural Forum, Mani-pur, Iramdam Meeyamgi Apunba Khorjei Lup, The Leikol (Leimarol Khor-jeikol), Ashangba Commu- nication, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, Imphal, Finding the Voices, Lam-yanba Sangsthan (Tripura). It is heartwarming to see how my father’s life and contributions were appreciated and respected by so many. It was truly a sense of love and appreciation that we all felt.
I must also acknowledge all the writers and contributors of articles in the local newspapers about my father and their association with him, which has helped me to see the different insights of his professional and academic career and his contribution in the field of art, culture and literature of Manipur.
A special mention to BB Sharma for completing the wall painting of Loktak Lake assigned to him by my father. Your dedication and hard work is really appreciated. I am also obliged to Mr Brojendro and his team for covering the shraddha ceremony (24/3/2025) of my father which will forever remain as a tribute to the last rite of the legendary scholar of Ima Manipur.
I must also not forget Pabung Chou, Tamo Bhu-shan, Tamo Tarun, Mam Pardeep, Ebai Sanaton, Khurachou, Khuramcha, Enecha, Edomcha Nabami, Edomcha Enaotombi, Oja Athokpam Kholchandra Singh, Oja Lamabam Go-jendra and Oja Loitongbam Dorendra, Tamo Surjit Loitam and I am also forever beholden to all my relatives, friends near and dear ones for the constant support and prayers during our difficult time. I sincerely appreciate every visit, every call, every message, and every silent prayer offered in his memory. Your continued remembrance keeps his spirit alive. The support extended to our family during the past year has been a source of strength and comfort beyond words.
I must also not forget to take the names of my dear colleagues of NIT Agartala, Prof RP Sharma, Dr Tilottama Chakraborty, Dr Bhogendro Meitei, Dr Kaju Nath, Dr Amit Bikram Chowdhury, Dr Kiranmala Thingujam, Mr Nadendu Debnath and Mr Sachin for their thoughtful messages and phone calls to extend their emotional support, and Pabung’s literary associates from Tripura Echema L Mina Devi, Oja Kh Birala, Pabung Abhiram and Echema Kh Madhabi, Oja Biramangal, Oja W Biramangal and RK Tarunjit and many more for their prayers.
The year 2025 has been particularly unfortunate for both the Manipur literary society and my family. It has witnessed the passing of several eminent figures whose contributions shaped our cultural and intellectual landscape, including the legendary theatre personality Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam and legendary dancer Padma Shri awardee Thiyam Surya-mukhi Devi, Pabung RK Jitendrajit Singh (Scholar from Tripura), they were also closely associated with my pabung. We feel as though an era in Manipur’s literary, artistic, and academic legacy has come to an end with the departure of such towering figures. My father’s passing stands among these irreparable losses marking not just a personal grief for our family, but a quiet yet significant loss for the larger academic and cultural fraternity.
As a Professor, my father devoted his life to nurturing young minds. Teaching for him was not merely a profession but a sanctified responsibility. His classroom was a space of discipline, compassion, and intellectual awakening. Generations of students remember him not only for his scholarship but for his humility, integrity, and encouragement. He believed deeply in education as a transformative force, one that builds character as much as it builds knowledge.
There is an indescribable silence at home (Keishampat) as a result of his absence. The advice we used to rely on so easily is now a far-off memory that we cherish. However, his principles still serve as a guide for us even though he is no longer with us. His life served as an example of selflessness, commitment, and service to humanity.
My father’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and in the principles he embodied. My father believed in humility, hard work, and service to society. He taught us that true success lies in uplifting others. Today, as we remember him, we also reaffirm our commitment to carry forward the values he instilled in us. His life remains our guiding light. I pledge to fulfill all his wishes and dreams to the best of my capability.
Forever remembered, forever cherished and with deepest gratitude for being our beloved Pabung.