Meitei intangible cultural heritage

The intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of Meitei civilization is recognised, honoured, preserved as well as promoted by the UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture of the Union Government of India, the Government of Armenia,^[c] the State Government of Manipur, the State Government of Assam, the State Government of Tripura, among many other notable institutions.

Meitei intangible cultural heritage
Clockwise from top: the depictions of events from the classical epic of Khamba Thoibi^[a] and Khamba Thoibi classical dance^[b] in the Delhi Republic Day parade,^[3] the depiction of Lai Haraoba in the Delhi Republic Day parade,^[4] the music of Pena (musical instrument), Pung Cholom (Meitei for 'classical drumming performance') of the Meitei Sankirtana, Armenian stamp illustrating Manipuri classical dance as the "national dance" of India^[c]^[d]
Cultural origins	Meitei culture
Publishers	UNESCO Union Government of India Government of Armenia^[c] Government of Manipur Government of Assam

UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage

See also: International recognition of Meitei civilization and Classicism in Meitei civilization

Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur

Meitei Sankirtana (under the name of "Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur"), one of the most remarkable cultural heritage of the Meitei civilization,^[10][11][12] was formally recognized as a UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage, declared in the eighth session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan, in December 2013.^[13]

National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

See also: National recognition of Meitei civilization

Traditional Craftsmanship

Music of Pena

Pena (musical instrument) is single stringed. It has two parts. One part is a bamboo pole attached to a coconut shell. The another part is the pena cheijing (Meitei for 'chorr'). It acts as a bow used to give friction on the string. A Pena Asheiba/Pena Khongba (Meitei for 'pena player') sings songs while playing the musical instrument. Pena is an inseparable part of Meitei civilization. It is used in ritualistic functions like Lai Haraoba, Lai Ikouba, etc.^[14]

Applique art

In Meitei culture, through the art of applique, decorative effects are achieved by superposing patches of coloured fabrics on a basic fabric, with the stitching of the edges of the patches. This unique art from is distinctively different from the modern day patchwork, in which small pieces of cut clothes are connected side by side, so as to make a bigger form of cloth, or for renovating a ragged cloth. In fact, it is the application of smaller ornaments or devices into bigger articles. It can be particularly seen in costumes of Meitei classical dance forms such as Khamba Thoibi classical dance, Maibi Jagoi (Meitei for 'Priestesses' dance'), etc.^[15]

Performing arts

Thok Leela

Thok Leela is a traditional Meitei satire, wit and comedy theatre of Manipur. It mocks the social conditions, the royal courtiers and the rulers. The talented actors with their repartee produce mocking, humorous, ironical, exaggerated, comic and rollicking effects. It has no written theatrical texts. It depends on the self generated exercise of the artist's skills, humour and intellect, focusing on the theme for the storyline. The Meitei language word "thok" means 'at random'. Thus, "Thok Leela" means a randomly performed satirical comedy play, with no written scripts and no directors. The only support of the actors is the advice of the elders and the teachers. It is a union of "the critical and the humourist". It produces a big humorous temperament. Its common character includes pastiche. It aims whatever is ridiculous or unseemly.^[16]

Social practices, rituals and festive events

Sankirtan

Meitei Sankirtana (alias Manipuri Sankirtana) is the artistic manifestation of the worshipping culture of the Meitei people (Manipuri people). It is regarded as the visible form of God, in Meitei culture.^[17] Regarding the art form, the Ministry of Culture (India) states the following:

“... Woven within the framework of sacrosanct rituals and ceremonies the art consists of narrative singing and dancing. Always performed in a Mandala (circular area) inside a Mandapa (hall) attached to a temple or erected in a courtyard. The rituals and formalities are strict and even the audience are seated according to set rules. It employs musical instruments like drums and cymbals. The artistes play these instruments and dance at the same time. An artiste spends a life-time specializing only in one aspect.”

— Ministry of Culture (India)^[18]

Death rites of Phayeng

Further information: Phayeng, Chakpa language, and Loi

The Chapka Phayeng people of Manipur are a part of the Meitei people itself.^[19] But they have a unique culture of burying the death. Shikaplon is a tradition of “requiem and a funeral march”, along with Khousaba (Meitei for 'martial movement'). According to their beliefs, in the afterlife, people go to the Khamnung Sawa (Meitei for 'netherworld') to unite with their ancestors. Among the mourning people during the time of burial, one of them should sing the Shikaplon, which gives instructions to the journey of the dead person to the underworld. The pena (musical instrument) should be played by the singer while singing the Shikaplon.^[20]

Another funeral tradition is the accompanying of a very rare martial art form known as Yenpha Khousa. Yenpha Khousa is a form of Ta Khousaba. It is performed by young, close relative of the departed. It is performed with spear and shield.^[21]

National Inventory of ICH

See also: National recognition of Meitei civilization

The National Inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of India includes some Meitei intangible cultural heritage too, which are Lai Haraoba, folklore of Moirang, Meitei Sankirtana, Shikalpan and Khousaba (ritual ceremony of the dead people of Phayeng caste), and the making of Pena (musical instrument).^[22]

See also

• Animals in Meitei civilization
• Birds in Meitei civilization
• Constitutionalism in Meitei civilization
• Hills and mountains in Meitei civilization
• Plants in Meitei civilization
• Women in Meitei civilization

Notes

1. The romantic epic of Khamba and Thoibi is a classic in Meitei literature.^[1]
2. The ritualistic and theatrical dances of the Lai Haraoba, in general and one of its primary forms, the Khamba Thoibi Jagoi (Meitei for 'Khamba Thoibi dance') in particular, are also considered to be classical dances.^[2]
3. Manipuri dance form, along with the Armenian Hov Arek, are referred to as the "National Dances" (of India and Armenia respectively) during the Armenia-India joint issue of postage stamps.^[5][6][7]
4. It is the highest spiritual expression of the worship of Hindu deity Krishna,^[8] as well as a cultural heritage of the Meitei civilization.^[9]

References

1. —KanglaOnline (2011-04-04). "The great Meitei Reconciliation Process: Revisiting the classical folklore on "Emoinu Chakhong Ngahongbi" by Late Shri Ningomabam Angouton Meetei – KanglaOnline". ... 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...
   —Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (1968-03-17). "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: multiple names: authors list (link)
   —Bond, Ruskin (2000-10-14). "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.
2. —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 (2011-03-13). "Three Cheers – KanglaOnline". ... 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? ...
3. "India's diversity displayed at R-Day parade". Manipur tableau narrated the tale of Khamba and Thoibi - a story of youthful love while
4. "Seventeen States and Six Central Ministries to showcase their tableaux in Republic Day Parade – 2017". pib.gov.in. Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India). Lai Haraoba is one of the oldest ritualistic theatres of the world jealously preserved by the Meitei community of Manipur with utmost awe and sanctity. The entire community participates in it with complete devotion. Lai Haraoba, translated as 'Happiness of the Gods' is celebrated to worship local deities to bring prosperity and well-being of the land and its inhabitants. These divinities are referred to as Umag Lais or Sylvan Gods as their abodes are located in a wooded area. The sacred ceremonies are conducted by Maibis or priestesses who are adept in dance and sacred rituals. The common people also dance as an act of worship to the accompaniment of the traditional stringed instruments (pena) and drums (langdeng pung). The Manipur tableau is an effort to recreate the ambience of this quaint and rich cultural tradition with a replica of the deities, elaborate traditional paraphernalia and live dancing by the devotees as well as a Maibi (priestess) performing the sacred dance to awaken the God from his slumber.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
5. "Two new postage stamps celebrate Armenian, Indian national dances". panarmenian.net.
6. "Two new postage stamps dedicated to "Armenia-India joint issue. National dances" theme | Lragir".
7. "Two new postage stamps celebrate Armenian, Indian national dances". www.newsinfo.am.
8. Sarwal, Amit (2022-05-15). The Celestial Dancers: Manipuri Dance on Australian Stage. Routledge. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-000-62550-9.
9. "Dance | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". www.indiaculture.gov.in.
10. "A unique manuscript tradition records the civilisation of the Meiteis of Manipur". The Hindu. 2021-06-26. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-12-23. The myths in the puya might be relatively unknown as written stories, but their oral counterparts are likely to be more familiar, since Manipuri civilisation — with its cultural high notes as embodied in nat sankirtan music, declared part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, or Manipuri dance, one of the classical dances of India — is predominantly performative. But manuscripts constitute the core of the patrimony of the essentially non-material civilisation of the Meiteis, who established the feudal kingdom of Manipur.
11. "Indian Dance of Manipur - The University of Chicago Library News - The University of Chicago Library". www.lib.uchicago.edu.
12. "Manipuri Vaishnava Music and the Sattriya Ojapali Music of Assam: A Fresh Look – Part 1".
13. "UNESCO - Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur". ich.unesco.org.
14. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
15. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
16. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
17. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
18. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
19. "An Archaeological Study on the Chakpa Phayeng Haraoba" (PDF). www.ijcrt.org. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CREATIVE RESEARCH THOUGHTS (IJCRT). ... The Chakpa people belong to the major ethnic group the Meitei of Manipur. ... The Chakpa villages of Manipur are Phayeng, Andro, Koutruk, Sekmai, Khurkhul, Tairenpokpi and Chairen....
20. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
21. "National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) | Ministry of Culture, Government of India". indiaculture.gov.in. Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
22. "National Inventory | Intangible Cultural Heritage of India". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Further reading

• "Cultural Heritage of Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-12-23.

External links