The case of Manipuri as a classical language of India

Oinam Ponting *

An illustration of the ancient epic "Numit Kappa" written in old Meitei/Manipuri language as well as in its traditional script
Pix - Wikimedia/Haoreima

Manipuri language, also known as Meitei or Meetei, the main official language of Manipur, the additional official language of Assam, the state recognised literary language of Tripura, the constitutionally scheduled language of India, with its rich literary heritage, fulfills the criteria necessary for the recognition of being a classical language of India.

Criterion 1 : High antiquity of 1500-2000 years

- The Numit Kappa (c. 1st century CE) and Poireiton Khunthok (c. 3rd century CE) classical epics, along with the Ougri musical compositions (c. 1st century CE), showcase Manipuri language's literary prowess across genres.

- The Yumbanlol copper plate inscriptions and Ura Konthouba's coins provide tangible evidences of Manipuri language's ancient roots. These artifacts date back to 6th century CE, attesting to the language's ancient historical significance.

Criterion 2 : Body of ancient literature considered a (valuable) heritage by generations of speakers

- The Loiyumpa Silyel, an 11th-12th century Manipuri language written constitutional law, enacted by King Loiyumba, had its cultural impact on the Manipuri society, until the modern era democratic Manipur's governance and legal framework were established. Its enduring influence underscores Manipuri language's relevance.

- The Khamba Thoibi classical epic, a timeless Manipuri love story, resonates through generations, emphasizing the language's cultural continuity. Originating from the 11th-12th century CE as Manipuri language musical compositions, it was later reproduced into numerous forms by different authors, including poet Hijam Anganghal's "Khamba Thoibi Sheireng", a 39,000 lined epic poetry, in 8 volumes, becoming the third longest Indian epic poem, just after the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

It was described by renowned Padma Shree awardee Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee as "National Romantic Legend of Manipur", and by the numerous Sahitya Akademi publications as "National epic of the Manipuris".

Yumbanlol (Yumpanlol) - a 6th century Classical Meitei language copper manuscript text - in Meetei script - works on sensuality & relationship between husbands & wives and how to run a household in Ancient Kangleipak civilisation state
:: Pix - Wikimedia/Haoreima

Criterion 3 :

Latest Criterion 3 : Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence

- Manipuri language has a plethora of written classical prose works. Notable historical epics include the Takhel Ngamba, the Samsok Ngamba (or Samshok Ngamba), the Khahi Ngamba (not to be confused with the Khagi Ngamba), the Awa Ngamba (or Ava Ngamba), which are the real historical accounts for the victories of Meitei kings over the kingdoms of Takhel (Tripura), Samsok (in western Myanmar), Khahi (Khasi Hills in Meghalaya), Awa (in Upper Myanmar), respectively, which also highlight the influences of the imperial Meitei cultural heritage to other civilisations and empires.

The Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Ningthourol Lambuba, the Khuman Ningthourol Lambuba, the Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba, the Angomlon, the Chengleilon are the historical royal chronicles of the different ruling Meitei clans and dynasties of ancient and medieval Manipur. Moreover, there are numerous long established prose works for arts, astrology, astronomy, cosmology, ethics, genealogy, medicine, philosophy, politics, religion, wars, etc.

- Manipuri language boasts for having the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, as India's third longest epic poem, just after the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Besides this epic, which is considered as a "Mahakavya" (a term for "great epic poem" in some Indic languages), there are numerous ancient, medieval and modern Meitei poems.

In the ancient Meitei poetry, the Ahonglon, the Anoirol, the Apoklon, the Hijan Hirao (or Hichan Hilao), the Khencho, the Kumdamsei, the Lairemma Paosa, the Langmailon, the Ougri, the Pakhangba Langyensei, the Sana Lam-ok, the Yakeiba, the Yakeiron (or Yakeirol), are notable, composed in the first Millennium CE, and adapted into various forms in the later millenia. Numerous medieval and modern poems arise getting inspirations from these archaic verses.

- Manipuri language has no dearth of stone inscriptions (or rock inscriptions), found across the hills and plains of Manipur state and its surrounding areas, like Kohima of Nagaland. Notable Meitei stone inscriptions are Pamheiba stone inscription of Bangai Range, stone inscriptions of Tarao Pal, stone inscriptions of Khoibu, Konthoujam Lairembi stone inscription, Kohima stone inscription, Vanghai stone inscription, Chibu stone inscription, Wangoi stone inscription, Tipaimukh inscription, Andro inscription, Kharampal inscription, Sanalok inscription, Haochongpal inscriptions, Kumbi inscription, among others.

- The Yumbanlol inscriptions and the Khongtekcha inscriptions (alias Phayeng inscriptions) are the notable examples of Meitei copper plate inscriptions of the first Millenium CE.

The first page of Loyumba Silyen (Loiyumpa Silyel) - 11th-12th century Classical Meitei language Constitution of the then Kangleipak civilisation state - in traditional Meetei Mayek writing system (Manipur State Archives)
Pix - Wikimedia/Haoreima

Former Criterion 3 : Originality and not borrowing from others

- Manipuri language stands as India's sole language of the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family with a literary tradition nurtured by royal courts. Numerous dynasties including the Ningthouja dynasty, the Khumans, the Moirangs, the Luwangs, the Angoms, the Chengleis, the Khabas, among many, patronized Manipuri language poets, playwrights, and scholars. Among Indian languages, it is significantly original being distinct from the languages of Indo-Aryan & Dravidian linguistic families.

- Notably, Manipuri language intertwines seamlessly with the globally acclaimed Manipuri classical dance (Meitei Raas Leela Jagoi) as well as with the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, Manipuri Sankirtana (also known as Meitei Nat Sankirtan), as the rare fusions of movement and expression.

- Manipuri language has its own two indigenous writing systems, which are the traditional Meetei Mayek script and the developed Naoriya Phulo script, which are solely used by the language itself.

Criterion 4 : Distinctiveness from current form or discontinuous with later forms

- Numerous scholars have diligently translated Old Manipuri language (Ancient Meitei language) texts into the Modern Manipuri language, ensuring that the present generation can access the wisdom and knowledge embedded in these ancient works.

- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognises the two forms of Manipuri language, which are the Old Manipuri language with an internationally unique code "omp" and the Modern Manipuri language (simply known as "Manipuri") with an internationally unique code "mni".

Granting Manipuri the status of an official classical language would honor its legacy, celebrate its unique contributions, and recognize its enduring impact on India's cultural tapestry.