Manipur's Sociopolitical Unrest in the 1970s and a Mother's Shattered Dream: A Study of Robin S Ngangom's 'A Poem for Mother'

Officially becoming the 19th state of the Indian Federation in 1972, Manipur faced socio-political unrest since its merger in 1949, influencing literature including of Robin S Ngangom, a Northeastern bilingual poet. The sociopolitical unrest in Manipur during the 1970s witnessed ethnic secessionist movements and demands for independence, fuelling conflicts over identity and governance. The enforcement of the ‘Armed Forces Special Powers Act’ intensified marginalisation, prompting autonomy movements. Under the backdrop of such unrest migration from Manipur for better opportunities led to Shillong attracting students, highlighting the impact of unrest on career choices. Ngangom's own journey, influenced by conflict, saw him leaving Manipur for education in Shillong, evoking estrangement from his community. Ngangom delves into personal, cultural, and socio-political dynamics in his work. This paper attempts to explore how Ngangom’s poem ‘A Poem for Mother’, which is steeped in personal struggles, maternal sacrifice, and poignant familial remorse, has aestheticised a mother's dream shattered by contemporary unrest.