'Poubi Lai-The story of a giant python' exhibition begins in Delhi

MIC (Manipur Info Centre) *

'Poubi Lai-The story of a giant python' exhibition begins in Delhi on July 21 2015

New Delhi, Jul 21 (MIC): Additional Secretary of Ministry of Culture KK Mittal on Tuesday inaugurated the single object exhibition entitled 'Poubi Lai-The Story of a Giant Python' at the National Museum here. The single object exhibition was mounted by Indira Gandhi Manav Sanghralaya (IGRMS), Bhopal in collaboration with National Museum, New Delhi. Director General of National Museum, Sanjeev Mittal and Director of IGRMS Prof Sarit Kumar Chaudhuri were also present on the occasion.

KK Mittal said that in the recent past, the Government had been placing an emphasis on promoting the cultural heritage of the North East. With this exhibition, both IGRMS and National Museum had taken a step forward to support this cultural awareness in Delhi.

The fascinating slice of folklore from the country's Northeast would find depiction in the national capital for next 42 days, as the pioneering sculpture of Manipur's Poubi Lai, a mythical reptile had been put up in National Museum for temporary exhibition, he added.

The major wooden artwork is only 12 years old but has earned a special place in the history of beliefs related to the 'horned python' that is integral to the age-old tradition of hilly Kangleipak region's Meitei—an ethnic group who speak a Sino-Tibetan language.

Conceived and chiselled by (late) wood-carver Karam Dineshwar Singh, who was one of the successors of the royal family-associated Karigar craftspeople, the 21-foot-long artwork found expression in 2002 from a dream he had of Poubi Lai one night. Completed in six months, the sculpture had its inaugural exhibition the same year at Manipur State Museum in the state capital of Imphal, Museum sources said.

Art historians note that this sculpture was first of its kind that drew attention of a large audience to console themselves with the live presentations of Poubi Lai about which they have ever heard only in stories. The work has travelled to France for an exhibition.

According to a Meitei belief, godly king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba lived as a human being at night—and could also transform himself into a divine snake called Paphal. Details of such spiritual prowess are available in 'Paphal Lambuba'—an illustrated manuscript that contains 364 diagrammatic representations of Pakhangba. These assumptions are attributed as Umang Lai, the controlling deity.

Till date, 'Paphal' finds place as the divine form of the ruling deity, occupying a significant slot in the socio-religious and political structure of Meitei society.

Some forms symbolize evil and some auspicious sign. The sacred texts written in between 17th and 19th century describe in detail seven aspects of Paphal in accordance with seven Salais or clans.

Python is seen not merely as a living creature but also regarded as one of the greatest life forms on Earth by the Meitei people of Manipur. It has a dominant place in the Meitei culture and the cult traditionally associated with Python has metaphysical and divine origin.

Apart from the association of Pythons with the glorification of imperial power, they are also portrayed as an important cultural entity into the folk lores of the people of Manipur. Stories filled with conflicts, love and romance with human and Python are abundant. The Kuki, Chothe, Kom, Aimol and Kabui tribe of Manipur have folklores deeply entailed Python and some of which portrays affairs of love while some depicts as demon.