'Proud to struggle for language, script and culture'
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 31 2011: Having obtained a doctorate in research in Meetei Mayek script, Dr Sohini Ray said that she considered herself fruitful of being born as a human being and having done something for a people struggling for the revival of their script.

Sohini said, she felt proud of doing something for those struggling to preserve their language, script and culture recalling that her forefathers had also overcome all odds in their efforts to preserve and develop their language, script and culture.

Dr Sohini Ray is a lecturer of Anthropology at St Donika College in California.

Recalling her life, Dr Sohini Ray said that she started learning Manipuri dance at the age of seven under noted Manipuri dance guru Late Bipin Singh.

In 1991, she researched on Society and Dance (Manipuri Dance) as a project work while doing her MA in Calcutta University.

To complete her thesis, she came to Manipur and stayed at Yumnam Khunou for two months.

She also stayed at Luwangshangbam.

While undertaking her project work she got the advantage of going house to house to interact with the common people.

In her venture, she entered a house which she considered to be a Hindu Meetei family but in total contrast the family turned out to be following the Meetei religion and she got a glimpse of the world of Meetei religion.

The family inspired her of doing more research in the Meetei script, she added.

She said that she is working hard for the popularization of Manipuri dance and pushing it to a higher level by opening a separate institution under Dance Vision for 'Manipuri dance' .

She is working as artistic director of the institute.

With a view to know more about the revivalism of the Meetei script and culture, she started a research on the subject from 1995 by accompanied by Meetei friends.

She did her research work on 'Meetei Mayek' at California University under the topic "The Sacred Alphabet and Divine Body" and was awarded the degree of the Doctor of Philosophy by the University in 2000 .

To continue her quest, she is currently doing a post doctoral study in 'The implementation of state policy in Meetei Mayek' .

For this, she came here on May 15 and began collecting data.

Dr Sohini said, she is planning to leave for California on June 5 .

Manipur government had recognized Meetei Mayek and had introduced in schools upto Class-VII since 2005 under the active initiative of the MEELAL.

Doing research in the field is a pride since it comes at a time when people are working hard for the revival of the script.

MEELAL advisor Ngasepam Yumjao, Meetei National Front president Chingsubam Wangambi, MEELAL member Angom Ingocha and MNF member Naorem Ratan were also present at the interaction programme.

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