The story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi | |
---|---|
![]() Meitei and Latin transliterations of "Kadeng Thangjahanba" and "Tonu Laijinglembi" | |
Folk tale | |
Name | The story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi |
Aarne–Thompson grouping | no |
Mythology | Meitei mythology |
Country | ![]() ![]() |
Region | Moirang, Manipur |
Origin Date | During the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138–1210) |
Related | Meitei folklore, Meitei literature |
Part of a series on |
Meitei mythology |
---|
![]() |
![]() |
The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi (Meitei : Kadeng-Tonu) is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from Moirang kingdom [lower-alpha 1] of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi. [1]
Tonu Laijinglembi and Kadeng Thangjahanba are real historical figures who lived in the 12th century during the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138–1210). [2] [3] [4] In Meitei mythology, God Thangching (or 'Thangjing') blessed Henjunaha and Lairoulembi to be reborn as Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi. Writers and ballad singers of olden times interwove the two stories, creating a "cycle of regeneration and rebirth". [5]
Kadeng Thangjahanba (Old Manipuri : Kateng Thangchahanpa) was a highly talented and skillful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (Old Manipuri : Laiching Ningthou Punsipa) of Moirang. [2] [6] [7] [8]
Tonu Laijinglembi (Old Manipuri : Tonu Laichinglempi) was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa (Old Manipuri : Laiching Lakpa), a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang. [2] [6] [7] [8]
Kadeng Thangjahanba is matchless in the art of blacksmithing, and thus earns the favour of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba of the Moirang kingdom and is appointed as the royal chief blacksmith. [2] [6] [7] At the same time, Kadeng is having a romantic affair with the lady Tonu Laijinglembi.
As per the ancient traditional customs of Moirang, Kadeng is given the duty of going on a hunting expedition to gather wild animals for an annual festival; he leaves for many months. Meanwhile, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, having no son to succeed him, is very upset. The king consults the royal high priest, who suggests that a male heir can be achieved only if the king marries a lady of the King's namesake. Immediately, the king sends his men to find women in his kingdom with a name similar to his; they find only lady Tonu Laijinglembi. (Tonu Laijinglembi's name contains the word "Laijing", which is similar to the "Laijing" in King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba.) Tonu is reluctant, but cannot deny the royal proposal for the wedding. And so, during Kadeng's absence, Tonu and the king get married. [2] [6] [7]
Kadeng returns from his hunting expedition, and is shocked and saddened to hear the news of his lover getting married. Kadeng crafts two beautiful swords: on the side of one sword, he engraves the images of Tonu and himself; on the other side of the sword, he engraves the images of the king and Tonu as the young queen. Kadeng presents the swords to the king as gifts. Initially, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba does not understand the meaning of the coded images. [2] [6] [7]
Kadeng becomes extremely careless of his health, thereby falling seriously ill. The king is deeply concerned about Kadeng's deteriorating health conditions. But among everyone, Tonu is the most in grief. Seeing this, the king realises the meaning of the images engraved in the swords. [2] [6] [7]
Without hesitation, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba sends Tonu Laijinglembi to the house of Kadeng Thangjahanba. Defying all the odds, the two lovers finally unite and live happily ever after. [2] [6] [7] However, Tonu secretly carries in her womb the king's child, who is to become Ura Naha Khongjomba.
During his hunting expedition, Kadeng Thangjahanba captured a Sangai deer from a place called "Torbung Lamjao" to present as a token of love to his lover, Lady Tonu Laijinglembi. However, when he learns that his beloved lady has married King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, his hopes are dashed. In sorrow, he releases the deer into the wild of Keibul Lamjao (present day Keibul Lamjao National Park area). According to folklore, these deer have lived in the Keibul Lamjao region since then. [9] [10]
Tonu Laijinglembi (2014) – a drama written by Sarangthem Bormani and directed by B Jugolchandra, shown on 22 March 2014; organised by the Manipur Dramatic Union. [11]
Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol (28 April 2018) – the Meitei Mayek edition of the book "Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol" written by Hijam Guno. [12]
Tonu Laijinglembi (2018) – a drama based on the character of the same name, directed by L Bikram of the "Aryan Theatre, Imphal", was released on 30 March 2018 during the 6th All Manipur Folk Drama Festival in Imphal. [13]
Moirang is a town in the Indian state of Manipur, best known for the tentatively listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Keibul Lamjao Conservation Area (KLCA), covering Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), the world's only floating national park, the buffer of Loktak Lake and Pumlen Pat. It is best known for the being the place of origin of the ancient epic legend of Khamba and Thoibi, one of the seven epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore. Nationwide, it is also famous for the INA War Museum in the INA Martyrs' Memorial Complex, where Colonel Shaukat Malik of the Indian National Army hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil on 14 April 1944. It is situated approximately 45 km (28 mi) south of the state capital Imphal. It has an area of 269 km2 (104 sq mi) with a population of 62,187 in 67 villages. There are 12 Panchayats in this block.
The sangai is an endemic and endangered subspecies of Eld's deer found only in Manipur, India. It is also the state animal of Manipur. Its common English name is Manipur brow-antlered deer or Eld's deer and the scientific name is Rucervus eldii eldii. Its original natural habitat is the floating marshy grasslands of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in the southern parts of the Loktak Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in South Asia.
Meitei literature, also known as Manipuri literature, is literature written in the Meitei language of Manipur. An ancient institution of learning, the Luwang Nonghumsang, later known as the Pandit Loishang, collected sources of indigenous Meitei knowledge and philosophy until the 18th century. Writing by Meiteis is assumed to go back to the Kingdom of Kangleipak in the early 12th century. The Meitei script is a Brahmic abugida. It is known only from the Puya manuscripts discovered in the first half of the 20th century. Manuscripts of the 18th and 19th centuries were written using the Bengali alphabet. The existence of the Meitei script in the 15th-century hinges on the authenticity of an inscription dated to the reign of Senbi Kiyamba. The first printed Manipuri book, Manipurer Itihas, appeared in 1890 from the Baptist Mission Press, Calcutta. Though the kings of Manipur had established contact with the British from the middle of the eighteenth century onward the real impact of the contact came much later. Johnstone Middle English School, based on the western system of education, was started in 1885 at Imphal, and in 1891 Manipur lost its independence to the British. British domination facilitated the introduction of new systems in the civil, political and educational spheres, which hastened the process of modernization in Manipur, exposed as it was to new ideas and influences.
Nongshaba, also spelled as Nongsaba, is a Lion God in Meitei religion (Sanamahism) and mythology. He is also regarded as a king of the gods. He is credited with producing light in the primordial universe and is regarded as the maker of the sun. He is worshipped by the people of both the Ningthouja clans as well as the Moirang clans. God Nongshaba was worshipped by the people of Moirang clan as a lineage deity and regarded as the father of God Thangching (Thangjing). He is the greatest of the Umang Lais in Ancient Kangleipak but he made his only son Thangching (Thangjing) the chief deity of Moirang.
The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, also spelled as the Khamba Thoibi Seireng, is a Classical Meitei language epic poem based on the ancient love story of Khuman prince Khamba and Moirang princess Thoibi of Ancient Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It is the magnum opus of Hijam Anganghal, the "Bard of Samurou". It is regarded as the national epic of the Manipuris. It is regarded as the greatest of all the epic poems in Meitei literature, with 39,000 verses, thereby being the third longest Indian epic poem, next to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Irai Leima or Ireima is a goddess in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak. She is the goddess and the divine female personification of water and aquatic life. She is also considered to be the incharge of the diseases.
The Henjunaha Lairoulembi, also known as the Henjunaha Lairuklembi, shortly known as the Henjunaha, is a legendary epic love story of Henjunaha Yangleingamba and Thongnang Lairoulembi. It is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang province of Ancient Kangleipak.
Phouoibi (Fouoibi) or Phouoipi (Fouoipi) or Phouleima (Fouleima) or Phoureima (Foureima) is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends. But fate does not permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends. She was sent by Thangching (Thangjing) to Kege Moirang (Keke Moilang) kingdom to prosper the human world. The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching (Thangjing) as a part of the Epic cycles of incarnations (Moirang Saiyon) of the Moirang Kangleirol legends.
Panam Ningthou is a God in Meitei mythology and religion. He is the protector of crops, especially paddy from hailstorm and thunder. According to legends, He ignited fire for the first time by rubbing flints. He is one of the Umang Lai deities.
Mongba Hanba is a forest god in Meitei mythology and religion. He is mainly worshipped in a sacred forest named Mongba Hanba Umang in the banks of the Imphal River in Manipur.
Thangching or Thangjing is a primordial deity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. He is the ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty of Ancient Moirang. He rules supreme on the banks of the landlocked sea, Loktak lake. He is one of the four cardinal Umang Lais. The guardianship of the south western direction is alluded to Thangjing and the other directions to Koubru, Marjing and Wangbren.
Meitei Language Day, formally known as Manipuri Language Day, is an International Day observed annually on 20 August. It is a commemoration of the day on which Meitei language was included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and made one of the languages with official status in India on 20 August 1992.
In Meitei mythology and folklore, the epic cycles of incarnations in Moirang is a cyclic epic of seven incarnations of two divine lovers in the kingdom of Moirang in the realm of Ancient Kangleipak.
The ancient legend of Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the fateful love of Khuyol Haoba, an orphan man, for the beautiful Yaithing Konu. Khuyol Haoba was the son of late Khundouremba, a court official of Moirang. Yaithing Konu was the daughter of Luwang Huiningsumba, an influential nobleman of Moirang.
The ancient legend of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from the Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the love and adventures of the forgotten prince Ura Naha Khongjomba for the beautiful woman Pidonnu.
The ancient legend of Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the tragedic romantic adventures of Wanglen Pungdingheiba for his ladylove Sappa Chanu Silheibi . Wanglen Pungdingheiba was a skilled craftsman known for making musical instrument pung. Lady Sappa Chanu Silheibi was a skilful weaving artisan. Both the lovers are equally noted for their talents and good looks, thereby becoming the matters of envy of many young men and women in the kingdom of Moirang.
The Moirang Kangleirol, also spelled Moilang Kangleilol, is a encompasses a rich collection of history, literature, folklore, mythology, legends, and other accounts that were originally associated with the ancient kingdom of Kege Moirang.
Animals have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei cuisine, Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.
Kumcha Lempi, also known as Kumja Lembi, is a woman in Meitei mythology and folklore of ancient Kangleipak. She is known for being a victim of an attack by a tiger in Khoirentak. Her tragedy is frequently mentioned, narrated and retold in the Moirang Kangleirol legends, usually by the Pena playing balladeers till present times.
Apart from several other works based on the theme of love, mention may be made of the literature coming from the Moirang region of Manipur. A civilization situated on the magnificent Loktak Lake, the culture of the Moirang clan has been noted. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or ages. The seven cycles are Akongjamba (hero) and Phouoibi (heroine); Henjunaha (hero) and Leima Lairuklembi (heroine); Khuyol Haoba (hero) and Yaithing Konu (heroine); Kadeng Thangjahanba (hero) and Tonu Laijinglembi (heroine); Ura Naha ...
PURIKLAI LAIJING PUNSIBA (1138-1210) He was the 33rd King of Moirang and during his long period of 70 years rule, two remarkable love stories of Salwon and Langwon of Moirang Kangleirol series, were witnessed one was the 8th and tragedy story of 'Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijinglembi'- and the other was the 9th in the series, Khongjomba-Pidongnu - of Moirang Sheisaklon series.
Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (AD 1138-1210) Kadeng Thangja Hanba - Tonu Laijinglembi
Lord Thangjing and his consort bless Henjunaha/Lairoulembi to be reincarnated into another lore of romance in the figure of Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijing Lembi, a classic tale of love and longing in the Manipuri literature. Henjunaha and Lairoulembi are the cycle of regeneration and rebirth.
Sangai is a glittering gem in the rich cultural heritage of Kangleipak (Manipur). It is said that a legendary hero Kadeng Thangjahanba of Moirang once captured a gravid Sangai from Torbung Lamjao for a loving gift to his beloved Tonu Laijinglembi. But as ill luck would have it, he found his beloved to be at the palace of the king as his spouse and, as such, all his hopes were shattered. In desperation, the hero released the deer free in the wild of Keibul Lamjao and from that time onwards the place became the home of Sangai.