MANIPUR-MEITEI

English translation is not the total but makes a sense of the column ...

 [  Appeared on 5th April 2017 ]

The earliest kingdom in India of Maurya Chandragupta  dating back almost 2000 years (approx) was the largest empire in Bharat Varsha spreading almost upto mid-Asia. Still, the time does not make a mention of Manipur though lately Himalaya comes live with Adi Shankaracharya having his last abode at Kedarnath. However though not History but mythology in Mahabharata links to Manipur that has name different names in its timeline.

Manipur with its earlier name Mekhala coes to live with a set of its inhabitants called Meitei who started living in Imphal valley that was before submerged. As the valley went dry, people from uplands came down to settle with cultivation as major occupation. That brought in a different style life style than that of upland people. Though, it's a fact till now  conflict between people two lifestyle now even flares up still all agree they are the twins got separated in timeline. The clans mainly people seven clans of valley as well as hills keep their embryocal cords intact being from the same mother that is the same soil. 

Meitei how the name came though still remains mystery still it identifies an important set of people in Manipur who have made immense contribution to all most all the facets of Manipur. It was in the past and now it's also in the present. Though now the hill community is making a mark in Manipur life still the state unhesitatingly admits the contribution of Meitei community to Manipur.     

Janajati ru Rashtrabad : Manipur

Few minutes back Zee Tv was showing an interview with Jahabua tribes who are ready to reply Kashmir valley stone-pelters by their native Gopon tool. Nationalist tribes we find from Ramayan times with Guhak standing behind Prabhu Ramchandra as a friend and a pathfinder. In present days they are no less in bringing laurels to the nation.
This article the second in series on my Manipur trip in December 2016 traces the changes Manipur has gone through from tribal society to a society of nationalists joining in the stream of the nation.
Human journey has brought in community, culture and nation. Manipur is a laboratory of this experimentation. Thirty five tribes now but could be many more in past came down to Imphal valley from surrounding hills to form a community called Maitei that is torch bearer of Manipur culture culminated with excellency in dance, sports, cottage industries and now poising for a big leap when its youngsters are venturing out across the nation and beyond.
Seven clans make maitei community, culture and belief system of Sanamahi worshipping nature the ultimate creator with two sons Pakhanba the mighty and Sanamahi the wise and weak - the myth resembles to Kartik and Ganesh ! Pakhamba ruled the kingdom but Sanamahi is worshiped in every house as the presiding deity. Later during the reign of the king Garib Nawaj Sanatan dharma came into the valley with Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannatha and Sri Govind ji ! Next in 18th century Islam and Christianity came in. A silent experiment in the laboratory of Manipur is still going on resulting Manipuri a rashtrabadi citizen for which whole nation is proud of with glory of Mary Kom and likes !
This column has made an attempt to trace the social experiment with its myth and subtlety in its limited space and my limited knowledge gathered in a week long trip to this beautiful land of jewels !

  

MANIPUR NAMKARAN

Visited Manipur in 2016 amidst of blockade .. still my journey was memorable because of unexpected help from my student and his family. Thankful to them.

Manipur is an exciting state as if God is engaged in social experiment in a closed laboratory. It has its own mythology and also a mention in Mahabharata. It's own native religions and Sanatan Dharma. A place of fusion and social experimentation. With all diversity the state Mannipur is a jewel on the crown of Bharat Mata !

This article published in Nirvay on 8th March '17, explores its mythology and history is finding its origin to the name Manipur. It's short but not complete trace but touches upon exciting aspects leading to naming of Manipur state.

I urge those who have not visited yet, to visit this beautiful state ...

Kalladi

The honour od Jagadguru goes to two -  Sri Krishna and Adi Shankaracharya ! Both pronounced philosophy of higher order for the mankind. While Sri Krishna offered Gita, Adi Shannkaracharya added Adwaitya to human knowledge !
My respect goes to Pundit Nityananda babu  for timely advising me to make d-tour from Guruvayur to Kochin to Kalladi the place Adi Shankaracharya born. Beautiful place with fervour of serenity and spirituality for the boy born there to enlighten and integrate India with his philosophy. So nice the place is preserved with its genuinity.
Wonder Kaladi inspires our Sri Mandira priests and administrators !!! 

Bilua Nana

Rituals and Temples

This column on MoKatha series is published on 22nd Feb. '17. The topic it addresses on rituals and temples, particularly on temples in Kerala. Inspite of left dominated successive Govt.s Kerala has kept its temple traditions almost intact though there has been some calls for changes in rituals in Ayappa temple.

Rituals are beautiful remembrance of past and its beauty in living with life. At times, some rituals become baggage of time even. This raises questions on continuance of rituals. Throwing away all rituals is also at the same time will make life monotonous. 

A balanced reasoning on continuation of rituals is addressed in this column and at the same time the column laments on the sad incident on trampling away a beautiful auspicious ritual of Brahma Paribartan at Sri Mandira Puri. I was thinking that while standing in a queue with traditional dress for darshan at Guruvayur Temple, Kerala.

Kerala Chinta AmaR Chinta

Published on 15th Feb on Nirvaya newspaper in MoKatha series talks about the evolution of Kerala Society and current tension among different communities and rooting of terror groups. What has gone wrong where is a study for Social Scientists. It's not only worries for Kerala but also for total India for its amalgamation of various people in the course of time. Odia readers are invited to comment on ...