Review of "Fungawari Shingbul" (A Collection of Folktale)
- Book by B. Jayantakumar Sharma -

Nongmaithem Rakesh *

Human turning into Uchek Langmei : Meena Uchek Langmei Onba - Funga Wari :: Art Work - Phurailatpam Banti

Genre : Literature
Publisher : Sahitya Akademi
Price : Rs. 110
Rating : 9/10

I have a fond memory of the time when I would anxiously wait for our father, mother, gradnparent and aunt to narrate folktales after the day's work. I have enjoyed those moments very much.

I didn't realise the significance of those great instances until I grew up. It has helped me to shape my character, my behaviour, my belief and, above all, my value.

Folktales are an integral part of any culture in the world. It was a form of entertainment when the world doesn't have television. Grandparents (parents) would often narrate stories to small kid when they are waiting for dinner. It is often narrated around the fireplace.

The children would enjoy the stories. This traditions remain in practice until the advent of television, computer, internet. Now, folktales, especially those narrated by our forefathers, seem to have extinct in the city area.

The lost art of folktales need to survive if we are to know what our forefather did and believe. There were many efforts in this direction. Books have been written to keep the tradition alive. One such book is B. Jayantakumar Sharma's Phungawari Singbul (A Collection of folktales). He was born in 1953. He is a lyricist, playwright and author.

He has written the book called Jatakki Sheirol. He is also member of Writer Forum (Manipur), Sangeet Mandal, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad.

Fungawari Singbul contains 127 folktales stratified into 6 sections.

The sections are divided based on the theme of the tales such as
o Sha Uchekki Wari (Tales of animals and birds),
o Jadu Mantragi Wari (Magic tales),
o Fagi Jugai Wari (jokes),
o Lounam Namthakki Wari (Stories of Conspiracies),
o Thoudok Masam Masamgi Wari and
o Paotak Paorougi wari (fables).

Almost all the stories have a lesson or value. We know the proverb "Pride hath a fall". This saying is shown in the stories "Pabetna Shamu Lamshada Laman Khumba" (Revenge of Pabet against the wild elephant).

Values like never trust someomr before knowing his charcter by the tales "Lairenna wask Ngakpa" (Keeping of vows by python) and unsolicited advice aren't welcome is displayed by the "Achumba Nganglubagi Mahei" (Fruit of telling the truth).

Further, there are tales based on myth such as "Minna Tanawa Onba" (Man turning into parrots) and "Mina Uthum Onba". So the topic are appealing.

The tales are written in such a way that it keeps the readers interested. The tone of the book is funny and direct. Both modern and old languages have been utilised.

I would suggest everyone to read it and narrate the tales to the little ones. The experience you will feel in reading and in narrating the tales are simply great.

So, go out get a copy and gobble it.