Print Journalism in the Hills of Manipur
- Part 1 -

By Th Mangminthang Gangte *

Manipur, which achieved full statehood on January 21, 1971 under the Union of India, has an area of 22,327 sq km. It lies between latitude 23.03 degree and 25.68 degree north and longitude of 93.03 degree and 94.78 degree east. The altitude of Manipur is 790 metres above sea level.

Physically, Manipur consists of two parts – the hill and the valley. The majority of the populations are the Meiteis, who form the primary ethnic group and live primarily in the state's valley region. The tribals – mostly of the Kukis and the Nagas – live in the hill area. The Manipur hill covers roughly 20089 sq kms, accounting for around 90% of the state area.

According to the general census of 2001, Manipur has a population of 23,88,634. Out of this, just a little over 30 % is the tribal population. Manipur has nine administrative districts – Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, and Ukhrul. Among the nine districts, five are inhabited by the tribal and are in the hills. There are 32 recognised tribes in the state under the Indian Union.

Media in Manipur

According to Mayanglambam Saratchandra (The Origin of Press In India With Special Reference to Manipur in the Pre and Post Independence Period), it was only after the 1st World War (1914-1918) that Manipuris got the proper facilities of using printing machines in Manipur. Before this Manipuris used hand written and cyclostyled publications. However, the printing of Government Annual Reports had been practiced outside Manipur like Calcutta and Shillong under the supervision of the East India Company since Manipuris connection with the political Agent of Britain.

The printed publication of Manipuri script or Meitei Mayek in the pages of Royal Asiatic Society by GH Damant and Dr Grierson's writings in the Linguistic Survey of India in 1891 are worth mentioning. In the linguistic survey of India a number of articles related to Manipuri script and culture proposed by Sarang Pandit were printed. In those days Manipuris got English education through the medium of Bengali. As a result, they used Bengali script for their writings and publications.

The Manipuri script was abolished in 1891 and since then the Bengali script has been adopted by the Manipuris. It is said that the first book, which was brought out in printed form, was Haodijamba Cheitanya's book on History. It was a small book and printed at Sylhet (now in Bangladesh). In 1895 Pandit Makar Singh also brought out books in Bengali which has been taught by Manipuris for a long time. William Pettigrew wrote another book on Manipuri Grammar in English style in 1912. Manipuris had to play on such available books in those days. However, the first ever-printed book in Manipur was Sorokhaibam Lalit Singh's 'Areppa Marup.'

By 1910-11, a small printing press came into existence in Manipur. It is believed to be established by one Shanglakpa Bhubanchandra Jyotisharnab at Kwakeithel, Imphal. In this press a number of forms, bills and other governmental papers were printed. By 1918-19, the State Printing Press was established in Imphal and the printing of government reports including private publications became its primary works. The common standard of press in those days was the use of hand press.

But in 1929-30 a new double demy Wharfdale printing machine invented by Dawson Fehani and Halliot was brought from England and put in the state printing press. In this press a number of school text books which were earlier sent to outside Manipur were printed. From the Administrative Report of 1930-31 it is known that punching machines, cutting and machines for preparing pages had been used.

In case there is power failure, the jail labourers were used to run the machines. In the following years, the strength of compositors was increased and the post of a press superintendent was created under the supervision of a Darbar member. Wahengbam Yumjao was in-charge of the press. The development of the state owned press could print a number of publications for the government as well as for the private.

The Manipur State Gazette was printed and published both in Manipuri and English. Other government orders, notices, resolutions etc were also printed. By 1932-33 the State Press became a full-fledged department of the government. It could disclose its income and expenditure as well as other accounts of publications. As the private orders for printing increased the press demanded an amount of Rs 124 as deposit fee from any sort of private orders. By 1936-37, a big book-printing house of the government press was opened and a number of Manipuri books were printed in this press in the year 1939-40.

For the smooth functioning of the press, the Assam Press Act was introduced in Manipur by adding 22 resolutions of the state government. The press also printed a number of other government resolutions, examination questions, war forms during the World War-II (1939-45). By 1965, a separate government publicity department was created under the supervision of a Director. Side by side, private printing press was also opened.

In 1930, the Churachand Printing press was established. Soon after a number of other private printing presses were also opened. By 1965-66 Manipur had a total of 61 registered presses in the state. As the printing press developed in Manipur in the beginning of the 20th century, journalism also developed as well. As a result, a number of printed magazines, weeklies and dailies were brought out.

Trace of Journalism: Pre Independence Period

The origin of Manipuri journalism is, however, said to be started from outside Manipur. 'Meitei Leima' a hand written magazine was brought out probably in 1917-18. It is said to be the pioneer magazine of Manipuri journalism published from Cachar in Assam.[2] But it did not last long. In 1920, Manipuri students who studied outside Manipur had brought out a hand written magazine. Another hand written journal 'Meitei Chanu' was also brought out by Hijam Irabot probably between 1925 and 26. However some writers say that Metei Chanu was published in the year 1922.

The period between 1920 and 1949 may be considered as the first phase of Manipuri journalism. Masik Jagran, a monthly journal published in Bengali and Manipuri, was published in 1924. Arjun Singh was its editor and Parijat Singh and Ram Krishna Singh as assistant editors. It was printed at the Islamia press in Sylhet (now in Bangladesh) and its publisher was Nityachand Singh.

The first Manipuri monthly published from Manipur was Yakairol which was edited and published by Dr Ningthoujam Lairen Singh, a medical doctor who completed his LMP from Bery White Medical School, Dibrugarh in 1918. Dr N Lairen also took active role towards the establishment of CC High School in Imphal. He became a Minister of Manipur in 1947 after he was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly.

Dainik Manipur or Deinik Manipur Patrika was the first daily newspaper published from Manipur in 1933. It was registered in 1932. Deinik Manipur was not only the first daily newspaper of Manipur but also for the whole of the then Assam. It was circulated for Manipuris inhabited areas of Tripura, Assam, Bengal, Bangladesh and Brindabad in Uttar Pradesh. About 3000 copies were sold and two issues were published in a day.

Deinik Manipur was against the supremacy of the British rule and fought for freedom struggle. It criticized the British government's policy and programmes and caused much displeasure to the then political agent in Manipur. As a result, the government of Manipur declared to ban its publication. Deinik Patrika, apart from its political writings, adopted the cultural and religious views of the people. The paper rendered service to the people for five years continuously. The paper was a powerful organ in shaping the public opinion.

Lalit Manjaree Patrika, a monthly journal started its publication in 1933 with Atombapu Sharma as its editor. It was a mouthpiece of the then Congress party of India and supported the views of Nikhil Hindu Mahasabha.

After reading Lalit Manjaree, it is known that Lalita Madhap Chaterjee also edited a quarterly journal 'Shrigouranga' in 1934. It was the mouthpiece of Nikhil Manipuri Hindu Mahasabha. In the same year some students of Manipur also published a magazine 'Chhatramacha.'

In 1935, Manipur Sahitya Parishad was established. In order to propagate its news, it started to publish its organ known as 'Manipuri Shaitya Parishad Patrika. Thokchom Madhu Singh was its editor. It was a half-yearly publication and continued to publish till 1941.

The next publication was a weekly journal 'Tarun Manipur.' It started publication in August 1938 and was printed at the Churachand Printing works. RK Shitaljit, a well-known writer was its editor and Arambam Darendrajit Singh as its publisher. RK Shitaljit, a well-known writer was earlier a teacher at Ramlal Paul High School. Later he became a writer and editor and thus started to serve the people. He edited both Lalit Manjaree Patrika (Masik Manipur) and Manipur Matam. He was also associated with the then news Agency, the Associated Press of India (API).

In the same year, a health journal 'Meitei Maiba' was brought out. It was a monthly journal for health care. Sagolshem Indramani Singh was the editor and Ningombam Mangi Singh was the publisher. The journal tried to update its readers on health care.

On the eve of the Second World War, some newspapers and journals were brought out. Mention may be made of 'Manipur Matam' (weekly), Manipur Paojel (weekly) and Manipur Mahila also known as 'Meitei Chanu' (monthly).

During the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, most of the newspapers and journals could not be published. However, some periodicals came out in 1941. Two/three issues of 'Meitei Leima' a monthly edited by Akham Thambal Angou Singh were brought out during this period. Maharaj Budhachandra was a regular contributor of the journal. Another monthly 'Meitei' edited by Phurailatpam Gourachandra Sharma had also came out in 1941.

The 'Naharol' is another periodical which was published half yearly in the year 1941. Two issues of 'Naharol' known as Yaoshang and Pujah were brought out. Laishram Gopal was the editor and RK Sanahal Singh was the assistant editor.

A daily newspaper, Bhagyabati Patrika came into existence on April 15, 1946. Meisnam Birmani Singh first edited the paper. A month later, the editorship was given to Khamnam Madhu Singh. Then PM Singh took charge of the editor two months later.

'Ngasi,' a fortnightly was another journal that began to hit the stands in 1946. Keisham Kunjabihari Singh edited the journal. A monthly journal 'Chhatra Jagat,' was also brought out in December 1946. N Tombi Singh, the founder editor of Manipur Mail, was its editor. N Tombi Singh later edited another newspaper known as 'Manipur Times.' Tombi later became the Education Minister of Manipur.

'Bhagyabati Masik and Bhagyabati Kala were two other periodicals published monthly and edited by Atombapu Sharma in 1946. The Prajatantra, a daily newspaper was brought out as a mouthpiece of the then Manipur state Congress in 1946.

In the year 1947, around ten periodicals were brought out. They were:

• Anouba Jug (weekly),
• Bhagyabatee (weekly),
• Praja (weekly),
• Khonjel (fortnightly),
• Meengaidabee (quarterly),
• Palem (monthly),
• Imarol (monthly),
• Eikhoigi Manipur (daily) and
• Sandhyagee Bhagyabatee Patrika (daily).