Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih Receives Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award 2026
In a major recognition for the literary heritage of Meghalaya, Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, an eminent Khasi poet, novelist, and academic, has been honoured with the Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award 2026 for his acclaimed epic novel Funeral Nights. The award was presented at Cotton University, Guwahati, and carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
The award recognises Dr. Nongkynrih’s outstanding contribution to Indian literature and his efforts in preserving and promoting Khasi culture through creative writing. His novel Funeral Nights has been widely appreciated for portraying Khasi society, traditions, identity, folklore, and the social transformations taking place in contemporary Meghalaya.
About Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih
Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih is one of the most celebrated literary figures from Northeast India.
- Born in Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya.
- Professor in the Department of English, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
- Writes in both Khasi and English.
- Known internationally for promoting Khasi literature and indigenous traditions.
- His works combine folklore, oral traditions, mythology and contemporary social issues.
About Funeral Nights
Funeral Nights is regarded as one of the most significant contemporary novels from Northeast India.
The novel explores:
- Khasi customs and traditions
- Indigenous beliefs and folklore
- Community life
- Cultural identity
- Memory and social change
The selection committee observed that the novel successfully blends traditional Khasi storytelling with modern literary techniques, earning national and international recognition.
About the Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award
The Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award is instituted by the Taburam Taid Memorial Trust and the Society for Research and Development of Language, Arts and Culture, Assam.
The award honours writers who have made exceptional contributions to literature, language, and culture, while encouraging the preservation of indigenous literary traditions.
Who was Professor Tabu Ram Taid?
Professor Tabu Ram Taid (1942–2019) was a distinguished educationist, linguist, author, and administrator from Assam.
He is remembered for:
- Promoting the Mising language.
- Preparing one of the earliest dictionaries of the Mising language.
- Contributing significantly to tribal language preservation.
- Receiving the Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman for his contribution to language and literature.
Why is this Important for MCS?
The award highlights the growing recognition of Meghalaya’s literary and cultural heritage at the national level. It also reflects the importance of preserving indigenous languages, oral traditions, and regional literature—topics that frequently appear in the Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) examination under Culture, Literature, and Current Affairs.
Practice MCQs
1. The Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award 2026 was conferred on Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih for which novel?
A. The Distaste of the Earth
B. Around the Hearth
C. Funeral Nights
D. Dancing Earth
Answer: C
Explanation: Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih received the award for his epic novel Funeral Nights.
2. Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih is a faculty member of:
A. Gauhati University
B. Cotton University
C. North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU)
D. Assam University
Answer: C
Explanation: He serves as a Professor in the Department of English at NEHU, Shillong.
3. Professor Tabu Ram Taid is best known for his contribution to the development of which language?
A. Khasi
B. Bodo
C. Mising
D. Karbi
Answer: C
Explanation: Prof. Tabu Ram Taid was a renowned linguist who worked extensively for the preservation and development of the Mising language.
4. The Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award is instituted by:
A. Sahitya Akademi
B. Government of Meghalaya
C. Taburam Taid Memorial Trust and the Society for Research and Development of Language, Arts and Culture, Assam
D. National Book Trust
Answer: C
Explanation: The award is jointly instituted by the Taburam Taid Memorial Trust and the Society for Research and Development of Language, Arts and Culture, Assam.
5. Funeral Nights primarily explores:
A. India’s freedom movement
B. Khasi society, folklore, identity and cultural transformation
C. Environmental conservation in Meghalaya
D. Colonial history of Assam
Answer: B
Explanation: The novel is widely acclaimed for its portrayal of Khasi society, folklore, traditions, identity and contemporary social realities.
Exam Facts to Remember
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Award | Professor Tabu Ram Taid Literary Award 2026 |
| Awardee | Dr. Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih |
| Award-winning Book | Funeral Nights |
| Cash Prize | ₹1 lakh |
| Venue | Cotton University, Guwahati |
| Profession | Poet, Novelist, Academic |
| University | North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong |
| Languages of Writing | Khasi and English |
| Instituted By | Taburam Taid Memorial Trust & Society for Research and Development of Language, Arts and Culture, Assam |
| Prof. Tabu Ram Taid | Educationist, linguist and champion of the Mising language |