Ancient Meitei literature


Ancient Meitei literature, also termed as Old Manipuri literature, is literature written in the Old Manipuri language from the earliest texts until the time of King. All the ancient Meitei literary works are written in the traditional Meitei script.
The ancient Meitei language texts, written in Meitei script, are conventionally termed as "the puyas".
Many of the ancient Meitei literary works need transliteration and translation, as the language used is often "obscure and unintelligible" to the modern Manipuri.

Overview

Ougri, an Old Manipuri ritual song, was composed during the 1st century CE, and was sung mostly for the "destruction and ruination and also for prosperity" of the ancient Meitei society.
Many scholars commented that this musical work existed even before the beginning of the Common Era.
The Poireiton Khunthok is a 3rd-century ancient Meitei language literary work, which is a narrative of a historical colonisation of the valley by a group of people, led by Poireiton, in an area between the Langgol Hills and the Koubru mountains.
The Khencho, another poetic work, was composed before the end of the 7th century CE.
Traditionally attributed to author Akoijam Tombi, during the reign of Meitei King Khongtekcha Yoiremba in c. 763 CE, the Pānthoibī Khōnggūl narrates the adventures of lady Panthoibi and her lover Nongpok Ningthou.
In 1100 CE, the Loyumba Shinyen, a written constitution was finalised and under the patronage of Meitei King Loiyumba of the Ancient Kangleipak. It was a formal declaration of the proto-constitution which was first drafted in 429 CE by King Naophangba.

Notable literary works

Literary and poetic works

  • Chengleiron. Legend of Chingjen Nāran Pānganbā, king of the Chengleis
  • Hijan Hirao, a long narrative poem.
  • Khongchomnupi Nongkalol. An allegorical description of how the Pleiades and Orion took their places in the sky and how Khurkhul was named.
  • Numit Kappa. An epic in which the hero, Khwai Nungjeng Piba, shoots Taothuireng, one of the two Sun gods, in order to create the night.
  • Nungpan Ponpi Luwaopa,. An epic in which Nungpan Ponpi Luwaopa, prince of the Luwang, wins the back the life of his wife Koubaron Namoinu from Thongalen, the God of death.
  • Panthoibi Naheirol. the story of the passion of thegoddess Panthoibi for her lover Nongpok Ningthou.
  • Poireiton Khunthok. Story of the settlement of a valley near Langol Hill by a band of people from the land of Death led by Poireiton.
  • Salkao. Records of seven fights between bulls owned by members of the elite.
  • Tharon, apoetic account of the twelve lunar months of a year.
  • Yakeiron, a poetry collection.

Government and administration

  • Laisra Pham (

Natural science

  • Leiron, a rhythmic and musical descriptions of 100 flowers known to the Meitei people.
  • Yenlon, a description of 66 herbs used by the Meiteis in foods and medicine.

History and geography

  • Langkol Chingkoipa, description and praise of the extensive Langgol hills.
  • Naothingkhong Phambal Kaba, a historical tragedy based on the life of life of Prince Hongnemyoi Khunjāo until his accession to the Meitei throne as Nāothingkhong in 663 A.D.
  • Nongmaiching Chingkoipa, a description of a number of cliffs, slopes and adjacent locations in the Nongmaiching Ching.
  • Chainarol, a collection of 27 stories of warfare among the clans.
  • Tutenglon, a heroic account of two Meitei royal brothers, Yoimongbā and Tāothingmāng, who take on the colossal task of dredging the channels of the rivers in Manipur, the Iril and the Imphal.
  • Toreirol Lambuba - describes how places, particularly those located on the banks of meandering rivers, got their names.
  • Thawanthaba Hiran a historical tragedy of crime of passion in the court of King Thawānthābā,.

Royal chronicles

Scripture and religious works

Songs

  • Ahonglon, joyous ritual song of Royal festivals dating back to at least the 11th century. Mentioned in the Loyumbā Sinyen.
  • Anoirol, a long song accompanied by the penā in that describes the evolution of dance.
  • Apoklon hymns to the creator, Apopka.
  • Khencho religious song or poem.
  • Kumdamsei ritual song that ushers in a new season.
  • Lairemma Paosa, religious song or poem.
  • Loutā Eesei, hymn sung before ploughing begins, prayer for a bountiful harvest.
  • Langmeilon, sung to celebrate a King's victory or coronation. connected with the celebration of the king's victory or of his coronation.
  • Mei hymn to the fire god.
  • Ougri, very old ritual song, sung at the coronation of Nongdā Lāiren Pākhangbā in 33 A.D.
  • Pakhangba Langyensei, ritual song, coronation ceremonial poetry, philosophical riddles.
  • Phoukouron, hymn to Phouoibi, goddess of crops.
  • Sana, Lamok, ā hymn to Pākhangbā, one of the presiding deities of the Meitei community.
  • Yakeiba ritual song.

Translations and literary adaptations to modern Meitei

Many scholars and writers, including but not limited to M. Chandra Singh, Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra and O. Bogheswor, have dedicated their long lives in the translations, literary adaptations and restorations of ancient Meitei literary works. The contributions of these group of people make the new generations of readers aware of the essence and values of the old literature. In addition to them, the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad published books of old literature along with the modern versions.

Significance in modern times

The Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, for the recruitment of the bureaucrat civil services of the Government of India, offers its aspirant candidates across the entire country an optional subject of Meitei literature.