Yairipok Thambalnu

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Yairipok
Yairipok Thambalnu
"-Nu"[1][2]
(Meitei: ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ)
Pronunciationyāi-rī-pok tham-bāl-nū
Born
Sanoujam Chanu Thambalnu[3]

Yairipok Poiroukhongjin,[3] Yairipok
Died
Imphal River[3]
Cause of deathdrowning
NationalityMeitei
CitizenshipMeitei
Eraduring the reign of King Gambhir Singh (late medieval era[a])
Known forvoluntary sacrifice of getting drowned in the Imphal River
Title"Thambalnu of Yairipok"[4]
Relativesone mother and one younger brother
FamilySanoujam
Meetei Mayek
This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.

Yairipok Thambalnu (Meitei: yāi-rī-pok tham-bāl-nū), originally known as Sanoujam Chanu Thambalnu[3] or simply as Thambalnu (Meitei: tham-bāl-nū), was a Meitei lady native to Yairipok region of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). She was a victim of intrigues and was forced to meet a tragic death in drowning in a flooding river.[5][6][7][3][8][4][1]

The tragedy of lady Yairipok Thambalnu is considered to be one of the most popular historical-legendary stories of Manipur.[9]

Name[edit]

In Meitei language, the word "Thambalnu" (Meitei: ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ, romanized: /tham-baal-noo/) literally means "Lotus girl".[8] Here, morphologically, "Thambal" (Meitei: ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜ, romanized: /tham-baal/) is a Meitei term for lotus and "nu" (Meitei: ꯅꯨ, romanized: /noo/) is a feminine suffix frequently used in Meitei vocabularies.[1][2]

Background[edit]

Thambalnu was brought up by a poor widowed mother in Yairipok Poiroukhongjin (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯧꯈꯣꯡꯖꯤꯟ). She was known for her beauty and mild and decent characters. It's said that many people desired her to be the daughter-in-law of their families. She was friendly with every youth of the village. It happened that Mohon Singh (Meitei: ꯃꯣꯍꯣꯟ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ) from Yairipok Khunjao (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯈꯨꯟꯖꯥꯎ), a poor man, brought up by a widowed mother, like her, fell in love with her. The two eventually become lovers.[5][3][6] Coincidentally, Pranam Singh Selungba (Meitei: ꯄ꯭ꯔꯅꯥꯝ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ ꯁꯦꯂꯨꯡꯕ), a man of elite family, who was a royal court official in service to Manipur's ruler Gambhir Singh (Meitei: ꯒꯝꯚꯤꯔ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ) (1825-1833), was also in love with Thambalnu. The love affairs of the two was frequently disturbed by Pranam Singh. As a result, the discord and enmity between Pranam Singh and Mohon Singh grew more and more hostile as times passed. Everytime whenever a conflict occurred, Thambalnu always tried to bring concord.[5][3][6]

Sacrificial tragedy[edit]

It once happened that there was rupture of the eastern banks of the Imphal River (Meitei: ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯇꯨꯔꯦꯜ, romanized: Imphal Turel) in the regions of Wangoi (Laluthem, Kyamgei near Leisangkhong). On this matter, King Gambhir Singh offered prayers to God Ibudhou Khana Chaoba (Meitei: ꯏꯕꯨꯙꯧ ꯈꯥꯅ ꯆꯥꯎꯕ), to show him a way to fix it. Through an oracle, the God suggested that a girl should be offered to Him. Lady Thambalnu willingly sacrifice herself for the bunding of the fissure by the Imphal River, so as to save the lives of everyone in the kingdom from the disastrous flood. Another main reason for her voluntary sacrifice was that she assumed that her death would rescue her lover Mohon Singh from the cruel acts of powerful Pranam Singh. Later on, the story of her sacrifice for the people of the kingdom of Manipur got immortalized.[5][3][6]

Regarding human sacrifice to the gods, in relation to the case of lady Yairipok Thambalnu, scholar Moirangthem Kirti Singh (Meitei: ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ ꯀꯤꯔꯇꯤ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ) noted:

“... The idea of altruism or voluntary sacrifice in order to ensure the welfare of the country was associated with the names of Pangan Langanubi (a Manipuri Muslim woman) and Yairipok Thambalnu. A human victim is sacrificed at the construction of a river bund, dams or bridge to the presiding deity so that the public might be free from the troubles. The bards or asheibas immortalized the names of these ladies by their tunes and beating of dholak in the assembly of the elderly ...”

— Folk Culture of Manipur (1993)[10]

Legacy[edit]

In Meitei tradition, elders, in their attempts to stop children from wandering away from their vision, used to make them afraid, by narrating the story of lady Thambalnu of Yairipok, about her being sacrificed and drowned to appease gods when the river embankments were ruptured. The elders even told their children that Thambalnu's soul stayed in a jackfruit tree.[4]

In literature[edit]

In Meitei literature[edit]

Further information: Meitei literature

This is a list of Meitei language literary works, dedicated to Yairipok Thambalnu:

Year of publication Original title
(in Meitei & Eastern Nagari) 		Romanization Name of the book
(if it's a part of it) 		Author Type of work
(Prose/Poetry/Drama) 		Ref.
1966 ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ; থম্বালনু শৈরেং Thambalnu Seireng Thambalnu Seireng[b] Nandakishor Sharma, M Epic poetry [11][12]
1970 ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ; য়াইরিপোক থম্বালনু Yairipok Thambalnu Anouba Yenning Kokngang Singh, P. Prose narrative [13]
1984 ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ; থম্বালনু Thambalnu Kadomdano Manipur Mayanglambam Ibomcha Singh Poetry [14]
1986 ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ; য়াইরিপোক থম্বালনু Yairipok Thambalnu Manipur Sumang Leela Amasung Wareng Makhal Makha Ibobi Singh, Ningombam Prose narrative [15]
2005 ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ; থম্বালনু Thambalnu Eigi Nupagi Macha Satyabati, Haobam Prose narrative [6]
2008 ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ; য়াইরিপোক থম্বালনু Yairipok Thambalnu Apunba Saklon Kokngang Singh, P. Poetry [16]

In other languages' literature[edit]

In a poem "A Bequeath for You", written by Jodha Chandra Sanasam (Meitei: ꯖꯣꯙꯥ ꯆꯟꯗ꯭ꯔ ꯁꯅꯁꯝ), dedicated to different women in Meitei culture, he mentioned lady Yairipok Thambalnu,[17] as follows:

“... I don't know why I want them
to appear in front of me today
Nongpok Panthoibee, Moirang Thoibee,
Yaithing Konu, Nura Shanthalembee,
Ingallei, Yairipok Thambalnu,
who else left? O yes, Madhabee, Jehera,
or Irom Sharmila!
I am not sure
I want to ask them about love! ...”

— a paragraph from “A Bequeath for You” by Jodha Chandra Sanasam[17]

In Meitei cinema[edit]

Further information: Meitei cinema

In theaters[edit]

Unless otherwise specified, all these theatrical productions are in Meitei language (aka Manipuri language).

Thambalnu (1965 play)[edit]

Thambalnu, a 1965 drama, was directed by Ng . Purna Chandra and produced by Maibam Ramcharan (1928-1995). It was performed notably in the Nehru Hall of Hojai in Assam.[23][24][25]

Thambalnu (1976 play)[edit]

Thambalnu (1976 play) is a modern Meitei drama, composed by playwright B.K. Wahengba, directed and produced by Heisnam Kanhailal.[8][1]

Thambalnu (1990s)[c][edit]

In 1990s, Thambalnu, based on the romantic Meitei tragedy, written by Bachaspatimayum Jayantakumar Sharma, was translated by A. Krishna Mohant Nishant, and was performed by the 2nd year students of the National School of Drama (NSD).[26]

Thambalnu (Hindi language)[edit]

Thambalnu, a Hindi language drama, was directed by Ratan Thiyam for the students of National School of Drama (NSD). In the play, the cultural elements of the Lai Haraoba and Manipuri dances were shown in a meaningful manner, highlighting the folk culture of Manipur.[27]

Memorials[edit]

The "Yairipok Thambalnu Sahitya Marup cum Library" (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯏꯔꯤꯄꯣꯛ ꯊꯝꯕꯥꯜꯅꯨ ꯁꯥꯍꯤꯇ꯭ꯌ ꯃꯔꯨꯞ ꯀꯝ ꯂꯥꯏꯕ꯭ꯔꯦꯔꯤ) is a literary organisation based in Manipur. It annually bestows awards to the prestigious “Usham Nilachandra Ningsing Khorirol Mana” (Meitei for 'Usham Nilachandra memorial literary Award') to writers who contributed to Meitei literature (Manipuri literature). In December 2022, it gave the award to “Ningtambagi Machu” (Meitei: ꯅꯤꯡꯇꯝꯕꯒꯤ ꯃꯆꯨ, lit. 'colour of freedom'), a poetry book written by Rajeshori Yengkhom.[28][29][30]

The Yairipok Thambalnu Keithel (Meitei for 'Yairipok Thambalnu Market') in Imphal East district annually hosts the "State Level Pineapple Festival cum Buyers and Sellers Meet & Youth Festival", including the "Pineapple Queen contest", under the North-East Council and Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur.[31][32][33][34]

Namesake[edit]

Educational institution[edit]

In December 2022, the "Yairipok Thambalnu Higher Secondary School" (alias "Thambalnu Higher Secondary School"[d]) of Yairipok, Thoubal district was frequently mentioned in media channels,[35][36] because 7 students ("10" in some news) of this institution, were killed and over 35 students of the same, got injured, in a road accident that happened in Longsai part-III village in Noney district of Manipur. Two buses (one for boys and another for girls) carrying students of the school were going on an excursion to the Khoupum valley in Noney district. One bus (carrying girl students) fell off a cliff near a village, which took the students' lives instantly.[37][38][39][40] The unfortunate incident of the "Yairipok Thambalnu Higher Secondary School" was condoled by the "Yairipok Thambalnu Sahitya Marup cum Library".[41]

Sports club[edit]

The "Thambalnu Market Football Club" is a football club based in Yairipok, Thoubal district. Notably, in 2009, it achieved the winner’s trophy of the "Fifth Th. Shyamkumar Invitation Prize Money Football Tournament", winning ₹50,000 (equivalent to ₹130,000 or US$1,600 in 2023), by defeating its opponent, "Top Chingtha Development Organisation", by 2-0 in the final, held at Yairipok.[42]

See also[edit]

Others[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ in South Asian context
  2. ^ The entire book is dedicated to her.
  3. ^ exact year not known
  4. ^ Some sources mention the name without the prefix "Yairipok".

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Bharucha, Rustom (1992). The Theatre of Kanhailal: Pebet & Memoirs of Africa. India: Seagull Books. p. 63. ISBN 978-81-7046-094-7.
  2. ^ a b International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics. India: Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala. 2011. p. 169. Supplementing this viewpoint that Nu is a female or woman, we find many Manipuri traditional womens' names which end with Nu : Thambalnu, Yaithingkonu, Tonu, Aritnu, Ahumnu, Piyainu, etc.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Role Of Manipuri Women In Administration - Part 1". Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  4. ^ a b c Oinam, James (2016). New Folktales of Manipur. India: Notion Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1-945400-70-4.
  5. ^ a b c d Jayantakumar Sharma, B (2002). মণিপুরগী থৌনাফবা থৌনাফবীশিং : Hero and Heroine of Manipur (Manipuri) (in Manipuri). India: National Book Trust. pp. 66–73. ISBN 8123739079.
  6. ^ a b c d e Satyabati, Haobam (2005). "Thambalnu". Eigi Nupagi Macha (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India. pp. 78–84.
  7. ^ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. University of Michigan. India: Manas Publications. p. 236. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0. ... The idea of altruism or voluntary sacrifice in order to ensure the welfare of the country was associated with the names of Pangan Langanubi (a Manipuri Muslim woman) and Yairipok Thambalnu. A human victim is sacrificed at the construction of a river bund, dams or bridge to the presiding deity so that the public might be free from the troubles. The bards or asheibas immortalized the names of these ladies by their tunes and beating of dholak in the assembly of the elderly ...
  8. ^ a b c Sinha, Biswajit (2008). Contemporary Theatre: East & North-East. Raj Publications. pp. 183, 187, 306. ISBN 978-81-86208-59-5.
  9. ^ Luhar, Sahdev (2023). Folklore Studies in India: Critical Regional Responses. India: N. S. Patel (Autonomous) Arts College, Anand. p. 362. ISBN 978-81-955008-4-0.
  10. ^ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. University of Michigan. India: Manas Publications. p. 236. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0. ... The idea of altruism or voluntary sacrifice in order to ensure the welfare of the country was associated with the names of Pangan Langanubi (a Manipuri Muslim woman) and Yairipok Thambalnu. A human victim is sacrificed at the construction of a river bund, dams or bridge to the presiding deity so that the public might be free from the troubles. The bards or asheibas immortalized the names of these ladies by their tunes and beating of dholak in the assembly of the elderly ...
  11. ^ Sharma, M. Nandakishor (1966). Thambalnu Seireng (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India.
  12. ^ Sharma, M. Nandakishore (1966). Thambālanu śaireṃ (in Manipuri). India: Śāradā Pustakālaẏa.
  13. ^ Kokngang Singh, p (1970). "Yairipok Thambalnu". Anouba Yenning (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India. pp. 22–26.
  14. ^ Ibomcha Singh, Mayanglambam (1984). "Thambalnu". Kadomdano Manipur (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India. pp. 2–3.
  15. ^ Ibobi Singh, Ningombam (1986). "Yairipok Thambalnu". Manipur Sumang Leela Amasung Wareng Makhal Makha (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India. pp. 147–176.
  16. ^ Kokngang Singh, P. (2008). "Yairipok Thambalnu". Apunba Saklon (in Manipuri). India: Digital Library of India. pp. 24–28.
  17. ^ a b "A Bequeath for You By Jodha Chandra Sanasam". Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  18. ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (2014-07-10). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. p. 1994. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
  19. ^ Manipur (India) Legislative Assembly (1979). Assembly Proceedings: Official Report of Manipur Legislative Assembly. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. India: authority of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. p. 97. ... By way of encouragement, a sum of Rs. 25,000 was awarded to each film producer. The names of the film for which financial assistance given are "OLANGTHAGI WANGMADASU" and "YAIRIPOK THAMBALNU". ...
  20. ^ a b c "Manipur: 38-year-old "Yairipok Thambalnu" celluloid film digital version enthralls film lovers". India Today NE. 2023-01-08. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  21. ^ Yairipok Thambalnu (1984) - KLMDb, retrieved 2023-08-18
  22. ^ "38th Years of Yairipok Thambalnu On 8th January 2023 at Palace Auditorium, MSFDS". Kumhei. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  23. ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (2003). Manipur, Past and Present: Pan-Manipuris in Asia and autochthones. India: Mittal Publications. p. 292. ISBN 978-81-7099-040-6. ... The drama had a tremendous impact on the mass. "Thambalnu" of M. Ramcharan was played at Nehru hall, Hojai under the direction of Ng. Purna Chandra in 1965. ...
  24. ^ Devi, Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India: Lulu Press. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7. ... Maibam Ramcharan (1928-1995) [Nungshi-Lamdam] Laibak Chaaobi (1965), Mapi-Mapa (1967), Khubak Khutnam (1968), Malem-gi Khollao (1970), Thadolepa (1970), Sarat -Purnima, Yairipok Thambalnu, Ningol (Chapter 1&21) ...
  25. ^ S.babu Rao. Whos Who Of Indian Writers. Banasthali University. India: Sahitya Akademi New Delhi; Digital Library of India. p. 526.
  26. ^ Seagull Theatre Quarterly. India: Seagull Foundation for the Arts. 1994. p. 76. Thambalnu, a tragic Meitei love legend from Manipur, translated by A. Krishna Mohant Nishant and scripted by B. Jayantakumar, was presented by the second year students of NSD. The production, designed and directed by ...
  27. ^ Ananda Lal; Chidananda Dasgupta, eds. (1995). RASA: The Indian Performing Arts in the Last Twenty-five Years. Vol. 2: Theatre and Cinema. India: Anamika Kala Sangam. p. 86.
  28. ^ "য়াইরিপোক থম্বালনু সাহিত্য মরুপ কম লাইব্রেরী শাফোঙলকপগী ৩০ শুবা মপোক নুমীৎ থৌরম পাঙথোকখ্রে" (in Manipuri). Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  29. ^ "'Ningtambagi Machu' to be conferred Literary Award". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  30. ^ "Rajeshwari Yengkhom conferred Usham Nilchandra Memorial Literary Award 2022". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  31. ^ "Pineapple fest from July 4". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  32. ^ Pothashang (2017-06-29). "IMPHAL-YAIRIPOK-THOUBAL ROAD WILL BE UPGRADED SOON: CM | Pothashang News". Pothashang. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  33. ^ "Five-day long pineapple festival organised in Imphal to promote growers".
  34. ^ "10th PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL CONCLUDES AT THAMBALNU MARKET IMPHAL-YAIRIPOK-THOUBAL ROAD WILL BE UPGRADED SOON: CM". dipr.mn.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  35. ^ "5 students dead, several injured in bus accident in Manipur's Noney". Hindustan Times. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  36. ^ "Seven including five school children killed in Manipur". www.echoofarunachal.in. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  37. ^ "Seven students killed, over 35 injured in Manipur accident". The Indian Express. 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  38. ^ "Manipur accident: 10 killed, 35 injured as school bus overturns in Noney". The Times of India. 2022-12-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  39. ^ "Imphal: Tragic road accident of a bus carrying students of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School claimed 5 girl students' life - News Live". 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  40. ^ "Manipur: 7 School Students Killed, Over 40 Injured As Bus Overturns In Noney". www.dynamitenews.com. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  41. ^ "Awaba Phongdokchaba : Yairipok Thambalnu Shahitya Marup Cum Library". www.hoten.life (in Manipuri). Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  42. ^ "Thambalnu triumph - Top Chingtha Development men go down 2-0 in final". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.

External links[edit]

Look up Thambalnu in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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