Khamba Thoibi Sheireng

This article is about a Classical Meitei language epic poem. For the traditional Meitei classical dance, see Khamba Thoibi Jagoi. For the general topic, see Khamba and Thoibi.

The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, also spelled as the Khamba Thoibi Seireng (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ, lit. 'Poem on Khamba Thoibi'^[7]), is a Classical Meitei language epic poem based on the ancient love story of Khuman prince Khamba and Moirang princess Thoibi of Ancient Moirang kingdom^[a] of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).^[8][9][10] It is the magnum opus of Hijam Anganghal, the "Bard of Samurou". It is regarded as the national epic of the Manipuris.^[1][11][2] It is regarded as the greatest of all the epic poems in Meitei literature, with 39,000 verses, thereby being the third longest Indian epic poem, next to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.^[5][2][6]

Khamba Thoibi Sheireng
National epic of the Manipuris[1][2] National Romantic Legend of Manipur[3]
by Hijam Anganghal
Original title	ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ
Translator	Dr. Jodhachandra Sanasam[4]
Written	1940[5][2]
Country	Manipur Kingdom (historical)  India (current)
Language	Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language)
Subject(s)	Meitei literature (Manipuri literature)
Genre(s)	Epic cycles of incarnations, Epic poetry, National epic[1][2]
Publication date	1940[5][2]
Media type	book
Lines	39,000[5][2] (8 volumes[6])

The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng is often considered to be in a status of “mahakavya” (transl. great epic; court epic), and its author Hijam Anganghal as a “mahakavi” (transl. great poet; classical poet). For composing the epic, Anganghal was honoured by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, with the title “Kabiratna” in 1948.^[12][13][14]

The epic saga is based on the ancient classic of Khamba and Thoibi, also referred to as the "National Romantic Legend of Manipur" by Suniti Kumar Chatterjee,^[15] as well as one of the 7 epic cycles of incarnations, constituting the Moirang Kangleirol of Ancient Moirang.^[16][17]

Another remarkable achievement of Meitei cultural heritage, directly related to the Khamba Thoibi epic poem, is Khamba Thoibi Jagoi (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ ꯖꯒꯣꯢ, lit. 'Khamba Thoibi classical dance'), also known as Khamba Thoibi ballet,^[18] which is a traditional Meitei ritualistic and theatrical classical dance form,^[19] a part and parcel of the Lai Haraoba performances,^[20] performed in honor of God Thangching (Old Manipuri for 'Thangjing'), the national deity of Ancient Moirang realm.^[21][22][23] Notably, it is one of the classical cultural elements, giving inspirations to the rise of the Manipuri Raas Leela classical dance drama form.^[24]

Textual history

The epic poem of the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng was developed by Hijam Anganghal from the "pena sheishak" style of the traditional ballads (Meitei: ꯈꯨꯟꯅꯨꯡ ꯏꯁꯩ, romanized: khunnung eeshei) sung by minstrels with pena (musical instrument). It was adapted from the traditional Meitei ballad known as the "Khamba Thoibi ballad", which is practised even in present times, for a continuous duration of 20-30 days in diverse musical genres.^[11][1][2]

The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng is regarded as the masterpiece of Hijam Anganghal. The literary work was started in the year 1939 and it was completed in the year 1940.^[5]

Synopsis

Further information: Khamba and Thoibi § Plot

Khuman Khamba was a terrae filius, brought up by his elder sister Khamnu, who spared no pains for his safety and well-being. By the time he became a youth, he wanted to be of some help to his sister and came out in search of work. On the day he first moved out of his house, he happened to enter the residence of prince Chingkhu Akhuba, the younger brother of King Chingkhu Telheiba, with its imposing house and spacious premises and there for the first time saw princess Thoibi, the only daughter of the prince, plying her needle in embroidery. The moment she saw Khamba, handsome and shapely in physique, she gave her heart away to him. But on the part of Khamba, at first he could not harbor such sentiments as he was conscious of his humble origin.^[25]

Another man, Nongban, worked as a foil to Khamba. For a long time, there was no one in Moirang to beat him in race, wrestling and hockey, but with the appearance of Khamba, he is defeated and deprived of this honor. At first, the prince took kindly to Khamba, and despite his offer to maintain the young man in his family, the latter insisted on singing for his supper which he did by tending the stall-fed fierce bull of the prince. As everybody was curious of Khamba's physical prowess, his sister then kept him in hiding for a while. Thoibi is heart-brokened and pines after him. From the grace of God Thangching, the two meet again on the Loktak lake. Their love is steady until the recalcitrant behavior and overzealous stance of Thoibi provokes her father to come in the way of the lovers in league with Nongban.^[25]

Khamba's gradual rise in popularity amongst the people, winning of the King's favour with the recognition of his identity on account of his superhuman feats in sports and capturing a wild bull singlehanded further enraged the prince. A murder attempt was made on his life and subsequently Thoibi was sent to exile. However, this act could not, in the least, crush the heart of the lover. Thoibi, on her being called back from disgrace, had the opportune moment of joining with her love. Before the actual marriage took place and in a trial of fate, Nongban fell prey to a tiger which Khamba could overcome.^[25]

Structure

Further information: Meitei literature

The epic consists of approximately thirty four thousand lines divided into 81 sections (tangkaks) in 15 chapters (pandups).

Analysis

While analysing the Khamba Thoibi Seireng, Padma Vibhushan awardee Indian Bengali scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterji commented on Hijam Anganghal, the author and the epic, like this:

"I think the entire work should be published and that will at once raise the prestige and dignity of Manipuri literature; and an abstract of the poem in English with translations of typical passages, and a critical study of it, will be desideratum in Indian literature bringing home to the rest of India and to the world what important things, important from the point of view of voicing the aspirations, the ideals and the social and cultural milieu of a whole people are being done in this distant corner of India. The position of our Poet is comparable to that of Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali and Modern Indo-Aryan literature."

— Suniti Kumar Chatterji^[6]

Writing on Akashwani All India Radio (AIR), L. Damodar Singh said about the literary work as:

“It is one of the finest stories in literature produced by the Sino-Tibetan people in India.”
. . .
“A gem of a literature which may be compared to any great epic rediscovers the glory of ancient Moirang, the cradle of Manipuri civilisation. It is truly an epic, dignified and elaborate with epic breadth of vision, richness of details, directness of ideas and a faithful portrayal of national life and manners.”

— L. Damodar Singh, All India Radio (AIR)^[6]

Some scholars compare the Khamba Thoibi Seireng with the Shahnamah, the national epic of Persia and the Kalevale, the national epic of Finland, as well as the Sigurd the Volsung by William Morris.^[6]

Translations

Further information: Khamba and Thoibi § Editions

The poem was translated into English by Dr. Jodhachandra Sanasam in 2017, for which he received the prestigious Nongthombam Kunjamohan Singh Translation Award 2017, bestowed by the Sahitya Thoupanglup.^[26]

Public response

In the year 2014, an academic symposium on the topic "Khamba Thoibi Seirengda Mityeng Ama" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡꯗ ꯃꯤꯠꯌꯦꯡ ꯑꯃ, lit. 'A perspective on the Khamba-Thoibi Poem'), regarding the epic poetry of Hijam Anganghal, was organised by "Nongchup Haram Khorjei Lup" (NAHAKHOL) at Public Theatre Hall, Nambol Phoijing in Bishnupur district. A book titled "Khamba-Thoibi Seirengda Mityeng" was also published by NAHAKHOL on the occasion.^[27]

The "Hijam Anganghal Singh Memorial Lecture 2020-21" was organised at the Artistes’ Dormitory of the Directorate of Arts and Culture in Imphal by the Manipur State Kala Akademi. In the event, scholars discussed about the "Khamba Thoibi Sheireng", as a great contribution of Hijam Anganghal to Meitei literature, that justifiably earned him the title "Mahakavi" (transl. classical poet).^[28]

In popular culture

Further information: Khamba and Thoibi § In popular culture

• "Khamba Thoibi" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ) is a 1997 Meitei language feature film, based on the epic story by Hijam Anganghal, produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films, and directed by M. Nilamani Singh.^[29]

See also

• Numit Kappa
• Akongjamba and Phouoibi
• Henjunaha and Lairoulembi
• Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu
• Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi
• Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu
• Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi

Bibliography

• Khamba Thoibi Seireng, by Hijam Anganghal Singh, 1986
• Moirang Kangleirol, Khuman Khamba Seitharon, by Laisram Mangi Singh, 1980
• Khamba Thoibi Seireng Ahumsuba Saruk, by Hijam Anganghal
• Full text of "Khamba Thoibi" and poems of Manipur
• Samukhonggi Bichar, by Hijam Anganghal Singh, 1997
• Hijam_Anganghal_Singh, by Elangbam Dinamani
• Abridged from T. C. Hodson's "The Meitheis", 1908

Notes

1. Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called Manipur Kingdom.

References

1. George, K. M. (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 258. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0. H. Anganghal Singh's Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (Poem on Khamba Thoibi, 1940) is a national epic of the Manipuris based on the story of Khamba and Thoibi of Moirang. The poet composes the whole epic in the Pena Saisak style of folk ballads sung by minstrels or bards popular in Manipur.
2. Das, Sisir Kumar (2005). A History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy. Sahitya Akademi. p. 190. ISBN 978-81-7201-798-9. His epic Singel Indu was published in 1938 which was followed by his magnum opus Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (1940), a poem of 39000 lines, considered to be the 'national' epic of the Manipuris, written in the Pena Saisak style of folk ballads.
3. Chatterji, Suniti Kumar (1951). KIRATA-JANA-KRTI THE INDO-MONGOLOIDS : THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF INDIA (April 1998 ed.). Calcutta: The Asiatic Society; Digital Library of India; Internet Archive. p. 189. The 'National Romantic Legend of Manipur' — the great love story of the hero Khamba and Princess Thoibi, which after a happy union of the two lovers ended in a tragedy, — began to be treated in Old Meithei ballads from the middle of the twelfth century. The lovers lived about 1100 A.D., during the rule of King Loyamba....
4. "Jodhachandra Sanasam Sahityabhusan 2017". e-pao.net. And he was also awarded with Dr. Kamal Kabiratna Ningsing Sel Mana 2014 by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal for his novel Leisat Tamle Nanggidamak and for his English translation of Khamba Thoibi Seireng he was honoured with Sahitya Thoupanglup's Nongthombam Kunjamohan Singh Translation Award 2017.
5. Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 1573. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0. His best work, Khamba Thoibi sheireng, in 39,000 lines on the story of 'Khamba and Thoibi' was started in 1939 and the composition was completed in 1940.
6. Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (31 August 1975). AKASHVANI: Vol. XL. No. 35 ( 31 AUGUST, 1975 ). All India Radio (AIR),New Delhi. p. 1582.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
7. George, K. M. (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
8. Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (17 March 1968). "Some Classics of Manipur". AKASHVANI: Vol. XXXIII, No.12 ( 17 MARCH, 1968 ). India: All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi. pp. 7, 8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. KanglaOnline (4 April 2011). "The great Meitei Reconciliation Process: Revisiting the classical folklore on "Emoinu Chakhong Ngahongbi" by Late Shri Ningomabam Angouton Meetei – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 12 November 2023. ... The folklore of Emoinu Celebration from the story "Washak Ngakpa" meaning Keeping the Promise, written by Late Shri Ningombam Angouton Meetei and the classical love story "Khamba -Thoibi" are classical examples of successful reconciliation process of the old Meitei factions...
10. Bond, Ruskin (14 October 2000). "The Story of Khamba and Thoibi". The Penguin Book of Classical Indian Love Stories and Lyrics. Penguin UK. pp. 3, 4. ISBN 978-93-5118-814-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
11. Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 1186. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0.
12. "মহাকবি হিজম অঙাংহলগী পোক্লফম শামুরৌ অমদি মহাক্কী পুন্সি খোঙচৎ" (PDF). Hueiyen Lanpao (in Manipuri). India. 2016 [2016].
13. Today 24, Sylhet; শেরাম, এ কে. Written at Sylhet. "মণিপুরী ভাষার মহাকাব্য 'খম্বা-থোইবী শৈরেং'". sylhettoday24.news (in Bengali). Bangladesh. Retrieved 14 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
14. "সাহিত্যগী অখন্নবা লমায় - মহাকবি হিজম অঙাংহল" (PDF). Hueiyen Lanpao (in Manipuri). India. 2014 [2014].
15. Chatterji, Suniti Kumar (1951). KIRATA-JANA-KRTI THE INDO-MONGOLOIDS : THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF INDIA (April 1998 ed.). Calcutta: The Asiatic Society; Digital Library of India; Internet Archive. p. 189. The 'National Romantic Legend of Manipur' — the great love story of the hero Khamba and Princess Thoibi, which after a happy union of the two lovers ended in a tragedy, — began to be treated in Old Meithei ballads from the middle of the twelfth century. The lovers lived about 1100 A.D., during the rule of King Loyamba....
16. Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. pp. 236, 237. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or age.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
17. Datta, Amaresh (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 349. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1. The epic ballad cycle of the incarnations of Moirang which is nine in number according to some and only seven according to others is a grand majestic saga of the eternal triangle in which generations after generations would find reflections of the various hopes, ideals and aspirations of each age.
18. —Banerji, Projesh (1983). Indian Ballet Dancing. India. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-391-02716-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    —Raina, Vimala (18 January 1963). Khamba Thoibi And Poems On Manipur. Manipur Government Press; Manipur University Library; North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive. pp. ii.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
    —Banerji, Projesh (1983). Indian Ballet Dancing. India. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-391-02716-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
19. —Pathway Volume 41. Vol. 41. University of Michigan; Marg Foundation (Mumbai, India), Modern Architectural Research Group, Modern Artists and Architects Research Group, National Centre for the Performing Arts (India). 1988. pp. XV. First and foremost are the surviving ritual dances which have been absorbed into the repertoire. The Lai-haraoba and the Khamba Thoibi may be counted amongst these. Their historical and mythical theme makes them as classical as any of the later Vaishnavite dances.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
    —Doshi, Saryu (1989). Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition. University of Michigan. Marg Publications. pp. XIX. ISBN 978-81-85026-09-1. First and foremost are the surviving ritual dances which have been absorbed into the repertoire. The Lai-haraoba and the Khamba Thoibi may be counted amongst these. Their historical and mythical theme makes them as classical as any of the later Vaishnavite dances. They have an element of abhinaya (histrionic representation)...
    —DM Silveira's India Book. University of Michigan. Classic Publishers. 1994. p. 230. ISBN 978-81-900218-2-1. ...Lai Haraoba is the ritual folk-cum-classical dance of Manipur and tells the story of creation according to the Manipuris. Khamba Thoibi is a popular Manipuri dance which tells the story of princess Thoibi and poor boy Khamba...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
    —Mãrg. Vol. 41. Pennsylvania State University; National Centre for the Performing Arts (India). p. 109. First and foremost are the surviving ritual dances which have been absorbed into the repertoire. The Lai-haraoba and the Khamba Thoibi may be counted amongst these. Their historical and mythical theme makes them as classical as any of the later Vaishnavite dances. They have an element of abhinaya histrionic representation)...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
    —Khuraijam, Bobo (13 March 2011). "Three Cheers – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 13 November 2023. ... Would it not be like asking for a Hip-Hop dance from a classical Khamba-Thoibi jagoi performance if we expect street aggression from our teachers? ...
20. Banerji, Projesh (1983). Indian Ballet Dancing. India. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-391-02716-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
21. "Everything Experiential | Khamba Thoibi Dance". Everything Experiential. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
22. "Khamba Thaibi Dance". Indian Classical Folk & Tribal Dance. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
23. "khamba Thoibi Folk Dance of Manipur". www.indianfolkdances.com. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
24. Dances Of India. Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Limited. 2010. p. 19. ISBN 978-81-241-1337-0. ...The Rasa Lila dances of Shiva and Parvati, Radha and Krishna, and the local deities Khamba and Thoibi form the foundation of the Manipuri dance...
25. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
26. "Jodhachandra Sanasam Sahityabhusan 2017". e-pao.net. And he was also awarded with Dr. Kamal Kabiratna Ningsing Sel Mana 2014 by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal for his novel Leisat Tamle Nanggidamak and for his English translation of Khamba Thoibi Seireng he was honoured with Sahitya Thoupanglup's Nongthombam Kunjamohan Singh Translation Award 2017.
27. "Symposium on Khamba-Thoibi : 24th sep14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
28. "Hijam Anganghal Singh Memorial Lecture held". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 1 January 2023. In 1939, the poet compiled 'Khamba Thoibi Sheireng', an epic poem running over 39,000 lines depicting the immortal love of Khamba and Thoibi and completed it in 1940, he further said, adding this work, considered as the masterpiece of all his literary works, justifiably earned him the title 'Mahakavi'.
29. "Manipuri Feature Films 1972 1997 - E-rang Classic :: E-pao Movie Channel". 16 March 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2022. 30. Khamba Thoibi, 1997. 35mm colour. Based on a story by Hijam Anganhal. Produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films. Direction: M.Nilamani Singh. Screenplay: M.Ibempishak. Music: A.Shyam. Casts: M.Amirkumar, M.Ashwinikumar, Sarjubala and others.

External links