Imagi Leichal a collection of Manipuri poems by DL Kabui, published by Mahabali Publication in 2002, Price Rs 50/- Page 107.
Most of the poems featured in this book were written at night. Some of the poems were read out in the Kavi Sammelans organized by Manipuri Literary Society and Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal. DL Kabui’s writing is seen more serious and far more better than those of his earlier poems. There are lots of poem addressed to motherland. Some of the poems are Imagi Leichal, Imagi Minglen, Imagi Phijon, Imagi Momon Maithong, Imagi Langdai, Imagi Mandir, Imagi Mandir, Imagi Mantra etc. Rhythmic pattern is maintained in almost all his poems. In his poem Imagi Ningai, the poet writes,
‘Minungshi chaobi imani Achumba chatpi imani Ashengba pambi imani Themsi imagi ningai’ (So kind in my mother So thankful is my mother chastity, my mother likes let’s console my weepy mother).
The poet reminds the heroes of Manipur who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of protecting the motherland in his poem Nonglei Nungshit. The storm in the poem symbolizes various attacks on the motherland from various angles. The poet was too upset and anxious to understand that the storm was too strong. He expected that the storm might be originated from the western world. In order to control the storm, the brave sons of Manipur had gone riding the palanquin of flowers. The idea behind the symbols is nice. Indeed this poem would be one of his finest poems. The book features a long poem entitled Kapui Salang Maiba. Kapui Salang Maiba was a warlord of the Kabui tribe in Manipur. Because of his supernatural power he was famous. The poet describes the activities of this warlord who was a very good friend of Puremba, father of Khamba, the legendary hero of the Manipuri folk epic Kamba-Thoibi. The poem is divided into episodes. Each episode has its own title. While telling the incidents related to Kabui Salang Maiba, the poet makes a narration of Khamba Thoibi episode in which the poor orphan Khamba and his elder sister Khamnu were looked after by Kabui Salang and his wife. The poet’s narrative skill is indeed praiseworthy. The poetic sense of DL Kabui has been developed much with the passage of time. Better poems are expected in future.
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