Book Description

This book deals with the huge development of Arts and literary works during the time of King Kiyamba's rule till King Chandrakriti (A.D. 1467-1886) in Manipur. The interesting fact is that Manipur witnessed its own two millennia old cultural framework through well developed literary language, rich cultural heritage, customs and traditions, rites and rituals which provides a living testimony to its birth and rise of Meetei civilization. Though, the Manipuris settling both in the hills and the plains speak different diverse sub-branches of the Tibeto-Burman language, the present Manipuri language which is evolved out of the early traditional Meetei language, becomes the lingua franca of the different groups.It is recorded that, Manipuri came into contact with the Indo-Aryan languages by the end of 17th century in the pattern of simultaneous placing of synonyms. The rise of the influence of Sanskrit and Bengal literatures on Manipuri literature was increasing rapidly. Most of the ideas and influences come from the Indo-Gangetic valley and gradually reacted with local beliefs and tradition. As a result, Manipur in the 18th century witness the arrival of three different forms of Hindu religion in the state. A Sanskrit word and or with a Bengali word is found replacing the vernacular Manipuri from time to time. Rare Manuscripts written on indigenous paper covered with a variety of subjects, which studies of traditional faith, mythologies, rituals, administrative codes, chronicles, genealogies, description of nature, ballads and other imaginative works, which were collected and safely kept in the charge of the Amaiba Loisang and Pundit Loisang, were destroyed in the historical bonfire Puya Meithaba (1732) during the reign of Maharaj Garib Niwaj (1709-1748).The old Manipuri literature was made with simple verses which are found sung as hymn to Gods and secular deities. Lai Harouba ushered in the dawning of Manipuri literature and poetry.The-literature of a people is a part of the culture and therefore the cultural history of the people is follow with the history of the literature of a people. There found to have four periods in Manipuri literature. The period from the 8th century to 1074 A.D. is the old period of Manipuri literature. The Early Medieval Period covers the years from 1074 to 1709. This period marked the turning point in the cultural as well as historical events which follows the worshipping of the Vishnu was begun for the first time in the year 1470. It was an important watershed in the cultural life of the people and Manipuri literature. From 1709 Manipur literature passed into a new phase which mark off another period, the late Medieval Period and went into 1819. The period of British ruled in Manipur paved the way for coming of the Modern Period in Manipuri literature.