My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 19 :: Download

Dr Mohendra Irengbam *

Teachers and students of Ibotonsana Higher secondary School, Uripok.
With author and family in November 2022, where he presented a book describing the state of the LP school in 1941, before it progressed to the present high school.

Part 19
Literate Meiteis' Literary Renaissance

The first record of Meitei literature in Manipur was existent around 770 CE, with Poireiton Khunthok (the early settlement account of Poireiton), followed by Nummti Kappaa (Pre-Hindu mythologies), Ningthouron Lambuba (military prowess of Meitei kings), Leithak Leikharon (an account of the Meitei concept of the creation with gods and goddesses).

Cheitharol Kumbaba is a literary book that briefly chronicles the activities of Meitei kings, dating back to the first century CE, and beginning with Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. Another book is Chakpa Khunda Khunthok that tells the subjugation of smaller autochthone Kangba clan, which was eventually absorbed by the Pakhangba clan.

What can really be called refined prose Meitei literature, was the publication of Nungbaan Pombi Luwaoba in the 16th century. It is a narrative of the intense love of Luwaoba for his wife Koubaron, which forced the gods to restore her life.

When I was studying in class V at Johnstone High School in 1946, a few teachers such as Khwairakpam Chaoba and others used to tell us what they had to do for it. Writing poems and proses.

Which brings me to the most unforgettable bit of classic literature in poetic genre, written by Kh Chaoba. It has passed down the generations and remains as fresh as ever, since it has been composed into music and sung by many modern young girl artists such as Mangka. It is elemental and earthy:

Chingda satpi engelei, chinnadana kenkhiba,
ho kalakida, ho kalakida!
Eina kenge kendedo,
malangbana humbagi ho kenbani, ho kenbanida.
Malangba eisu keidoude, leirangna leikhok loibagi
ho kenbani, ho kenbani- ne.

In English:
‘O’ Engelei (Pink periwinkle, Nithakalyani in Hindi),
I am green with envy that you blossom in the hills and drop off without having a chance to decorate the hair.
[Engelei] It’s not my wish to fall off. It’s the gentle wind that blows me off.
[Wind] I, zephyr, am not entirely responsible. It is because the blossom is wobbly at its peduncle. That’s why it disintegrates.

Newer forms of Manipuri literature, as above that was not influenced by Bengali and Sanskrit culture, emerged in the pre-war years.

Download the entire Chapter 19 of this book here