Illustrated Manuscripts from Manipur
- Part 4 -

By: Mutua Bahadur *

For purposes of preservation for a long period, the manuscript written on agarbak or paper was put between two planks of the same shape and size as the manuscript.

It was then bound on all sides by a cloth which, in turn, was fastened very tightly by a strong thread attached to one corner of the cloth.

This ensured that the loose pages of the manuscript remained always flat and were protected from the elements of nature. Attacks by fungus and worms were thus taken care of effectively. Leaves of certain plants like brinjal (Solatium melongena), karpur (Cinnamomum camphora), uriksihi (Vitex trifolia, v. negundo), neem (Melia indica), etc. were also inserted between the covers to ward off insects.

Sometimes, for longer preservation, fully covered manuscripts were put inside a basket made of cane and bamboo. The basket was then placed on a rack above the traditional fireplace to expose it to smoke. This was for additional guarantee that the manuscripts were protected from any possible damage.

FIG 7

FIG 8

" This work originates from seeing the scattered illustrated manuscripts, which I found in the custody of our local Pundits. Since 1973 I have been working for these manuscripts by collecting from various sources. Some of them are already published in the Book entitled the Manuscript Paintings of Manipur in 1978. Even the second reprint issue is also produced in this year. But unfortunately it could not be printed in colour due to financial constraint. All the paintings consisted in the earlier publication are coloured by freehand.

I have the opportunity to exhibit some illustrated manuscripts in the 2 day seminar organised by Manipur Folklore Society held from 26 to 27 September 1982 at G. M. Hall, Imphal. This exhibition attracts many scholars from different parts of India. Then in 1991, published another book entitled Subika Laisaba (A Manipuri illustrated Manuscript on Astrology).

The present work on illustrated Manuscripts is a bunch of paintings collected from different parts of Meitei inhabited areas like Bangladesh, Myanmar etc. It will incorporate 364 faces of Paphal and other unpublished manuscripts.

I would like to convey my thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for the financial assistance to the task of publishing it. I hope that without this support it could not have been possible to materialise the things.

I alone am responsible for any remaining errors and infelicities for they are of my own construction. I always welcome suggestions and criticisms for further development in future."

Mutua Bahadur

* Mutua Bahadur contributes to e-pao.net regularly. This article was webcasted on January 21st 2010.