Ajay Bhalla's soft power

Free Thinker *

NE Waree Leeba Fest kicks off on November 02 2026 :: Pix - TSE

While inaugurating the “Waree Leeba” festival in Imphal a few days back Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur reminded the relevance of the age-old tradition of storytelling.

He also emphasized the need to preserve and safeguard the State’s rich culture, identity, heritage and collective memory stressing their importance in protecting the State’s distinct historical and cultural legacy. Despite various limitations on ground, the present incumbent of Lok Bhavan has been trying to build up a kind of an atmosphere with the people of Manipur so that a cooling effect is given.

The ethnic tension and skirmishes are still ongoing in the hills; the intrinsic issue is that every village has an insurgent group or a village armed volunteers. Whenever there is some feud they pull the trigger. Every village can’t be given protection by the security forces. But every village and outfit can be disarmed (whether in negotiation or in SoO).

There was a Governor of Manipur by the name of Chintamani Panigrahi in the last decade of the 20th century. We were students those days. He was so involved with the people of Manipur ; and with the development activities too.

He even started attending social and cultural activities of the common people. Once he came out to see even the flood situation on foot from then Raj Bhavan. He was fondly called People’s Governor. Ajay Bhalla ji is also gradually becoming another people's Governor.

Not only Waree Leeba tradition we have other oral storytelling traditions like Khongjom-Parba, Moirang-Parba, Merger-Parba and latest Meitei-Kuki Parba and now Kuki-Naga-Parba (sequel) ; last 2/3 Parbas are my additions; they are yet to come.

One Sanskrit Scholar who is an expert in Mahabharat and Ramayan once told me that Ramayana integrates the Indian subcontinent from Himalayas to Sri Lanka (Sanjivani/Hanuman to Ravana); again Mahabharata integrates from Afghanistan (Kandahar-Naresh/Mama Soukuni to North East India (Rumini, Ulupi, Chitraganda etc).

The intelligent composers could have added a little bit beyond Irawadi. Hirimba /Hirambi would have been from Chin Hills instead of Dhimapur-Dimasa area. Just a small grumbling - wanting to expand the ambit of cultural Nationalism.

If somebody says Rukmini was from Arunachal and if it is refuted by someone – who is right ? Myth and mythology can’t be contested ? If someone from Lanka says there was no Ravan in Lanka, we must appreciate his sentiment.

At the same time people are today saying the Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge) was constructed by Lord Ram - so it can’t be destroyed for navigational purposes. Okay fine - Apex Court has agreed; then take the longer route (spending more fuel).

There is one Prasuram Kund in Arunachal Pradesh. Nowadays it has become a popular pilgrim centre for the Vaisnavites. They have started believing that sage Prasuram washed his sin in Prasuram Kunda (lower reaches of Lohit River).

According to the mythology the sage Prashuram beheaded his mother on his father’s order. As a result his axe stuck to his hand due to the sin of matricide. Seeking redemption Prashuram washed his hand in the pure waters of the Lohit River, whereupon the axe detached from his hand.

Shri Bhalla appreciated the storytelling skill of our narrators–very expressive presen- tation. He observed that Waree Leeba is not merely a living tradition through which the knowledge, beliefs, myths and legends of ancestors are passed down from one generation to another.

On top of everything, Bhalla Saab has become quite popular not only in the political arena but also in the social circle of the State. Most impressive part of this Delhi Gentleman of Raisina vintage is that he gives appointments to everyone who wants to see him including ‘faltus’ like me.

Whenever he meets the local people – his concluding remark is - let's try to redeem peace and normalcy in the State.