My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 13 :: Download
Dr Mohendra Irengbam *
Manipuri barefoot soldiers setting off from Kangla to accompany Maharaja Chandrakirti on his way to Cachar for Jila Durbar with the Viceroy Lord Northbrook on July 30, 1874
Part 13
Early Transport System
My narrative is based on the very flag-waving ballad, which was special only to Ibemni Devi, who sang it in the post war period, and only in the evening. I used to feel quite emotional to listen to her singing.
She had a special tempo and rhythm that were surreal. She would start her folk songs that were called Khongjom parva (Khongjom ballad) and Jila Durbar (District Parley) with the following verse as an Intro.
manipur sana leimayol, chingna koina panshaba,
haona koina panngakpa, sanana mayung karaga,
lupana maphel oiba lam, manina phijil longumba,
manipur koubi lamnungshi, chingburoi-tamburoi pallibi.
In English:
In Manipur the golden crownland,
fortified by hills all around,
guarded by the hill people,
warped by golden gossamers,
wafted by the silver strands,
hemmed by the gemstones,
lovingly called Manipur,
there dwelt hills people and plains people.
I heard this folk song quite a few times as a schoolboy. And I liked it so much that in 1974 when I visited Imphal, I engaged her to sing the Khongjom ballad at our home in Imphal and recorded the song. I have it on tape and listen to it every now and then.
The historical narratives of these two events in her original tempo and upbeat rhythm used to bring historical experience and evoke an emotional response to her listeners. She rendered the ballad accompanied by a dholak – a twin-headed drum, a folk percussion instrument, which she beat to give the song a foundation and pulse. It is hard not to be swept by the song’s irresistible high gloss.
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* Dr Mohendra Irengbam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at irengbammsingh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on March 12 2023 .
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