Mutua Bahadur's 'Manipuri customs Through Ages' released
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 27 2011: A book entitled "Manipuri Customs Through Ages" written by Mutua Bahadur was released at a function held at Eema Mini Hall at Keishampat organized by Mutua Museum, Imphal today.

The function was graced by Dr RK Nimai, IAS, Commissioner, Art and Culture and K Sundergopal Sharma, Managing Director, MGI, Mandalay as the Chief Guest and President respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, K Sundergopal Sharma said that a community who has lost its culture, identity and language need not claim itself as a community in a society.

He said that in Burma there were once around 200 Meetei localities in Burma.

But now there are only 10 Meetei localities.

The Meetei localities which existed in Burma before were not destroyed or killed by other communities.

They simply lost their very existence as they stopped speaking in Manipuri language and all Manipuri customs were ultimately forgotten.

Gradually all the Meeteis automatically turned into Burmese.

The most awful habit existing among the Meeteis are that they never feel embarrassed when they fail to follow the customs and traditions of their own community.

It is also very disappointing on the part of the Manipuris when they themselves do not understand the importance of their own culture and tradition, he exclaimed.

Every community whether big or small, existing in this world feels proud to preserve and conserve their own culture and tradition.

Manipuris living in Burma also have the desire to preserve and promote their Manipuri culture and tradition.

But since there is no formal institutions imparting these knowledge, the Manipuris are compelled to follow the Burmese traditions, he lamented.

He further went on to say that whether beautiful or ugly, our culture, our tradition and our language is our very own property.

We should not try to destroy our own culture and tradition by following the culture and traditions of others which we can never claim as our own.

There may be various plus points in imitating others, but there is definitely nothing to gain by imitating and following the cultures and traditions of others.

He also expressed concerned over the law and order situation prevailing in the state at present and said that such situation is very unfortunate.

Speaking on the occasion, RK Nimai said that the book released today which is written by Mutua Bahadur will certainly help people who have the desire to learn and promote the culture and traditions of the Manipuri society.

The book is written in simple and correct English and this will help various readers in the world to easily understand and appreciate.

It will be very useful for Manipuris settling outside the state.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Mutua Bahadur said that the book, apart from English, is also written in Meetei script.

This is done mainly so as to make the Manipuris settling in different parts of the world to realize that it is necessary to know Meetei script if we are Manipuris and also to make their children learn the script.

He further said that the book has been sold in Japan, UK and America.

Another book entitled "Manipuri Puwarida Kanglei Natki Machak" written by Longjam Arun was also released on the occasion.

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