Exploring Richness of Manipuri Language
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Today, we are venturing into this wonderful Manipuri language spoken by millions in north-east India. As we learn more about its history, great personalities, and its rich contribution in literature and culture, get ready to be stunned by how deep and rich this beautiful language is. Manipuri, also known as Meiteilon, is the official language of Manipur and belongs to Sino-Tibetan language group. The language is mainly spoken by people belonging to the Meitei community. The language supports and caters to the dominant medium of communication between a number of ethnic groups in the regions. It has a population of more than 1.5 million, thus making it one of the significant constituents of India’s linguistic plateau.
Perhaps the most distinguishable feature of Manipuri is its script, Meitei Mayek. An ancient script forgotten centuries ago, the script came back to life in the 20th century and wrote down the beautiful sounds of the language into unique characters. Learning the script connects speakers to their heritage and enriches their understanding of Manipuri literature.
Some of the key personalities who have shaped the Manipuri literature and culture are discussed as below:
– Kangla Shaikhom: one of the greatest poets in the modern Manipuri literature who reshaped the Manipuri poetry. His works often acted like symbols of social issues and cultural pride.
-M. K. Binodini Devi : known as very important playwright and also a great actress in the world of Manipuri theatre, she did national orientation by her new creativity with themes largely based on tradition.
– To the linguist Ranjit Sinha, dedication to research and recording of Manipuri’s complex structures becomes very important because that means that should they not be preserved for future generations, then nothing could be.
These individuals reflect the artistic vitality of Manipuri while exhorting the young generation to start embracing their linguistic heritage.
Manipuri literature is richly connected with poetry, drama, and prose. The poem “Khamba Thoibi” is among the best loved epics that tell the story of love, valour, and cultural ethos. Recently, Bishnupriya Devi has also become one of the most notable novelists through works under her name that gives a very real voice to the world within Manipuri society regarding changes in society and individual struggles.
The Manipuri language is not only a means of expression but forms a channel of communication of culture as well. From the traditional dance form, Manipuri Raas Leela, to songs that tell folk tales about love and valour, Manipuri forms a medium through which cultural identity is preserved and celebrated.
Some interesting facts about the Manipuri language are as follows:
-It had unique sound pronunciation different from other Indian languages.
-Its word for greeting, or ‘hello’, is “Khurumjari”. It sounds warm and hospitable to meet people.
-The language was classified as a classical language because of its rich literary tradition.
So there it is! Manipuri happens to be a treasure trove of history and culture, and artistic expression. Learning this beautiful language opens you not only to the literature but also to the people and rich traditions.
Thanks for watching! See you soon!