Tha Tha Thabungton

Last updated

"Tha Tha Thabungton"
Tha Tha Thabungton (Thaa Thaa Thaabungton) - a traditional Meitei song of Kangleipak.jpg
An illustration of the Meitei language cradle song "Tha Tha Thabungton" in Meitei script
Song
Language Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language)
English title"Moon Moon Young Moon" or "Moon Moon Full Moon"

Tha Tha Thabungton (Meitei : Thaa Thaa Thaabungton; Old Manipuri : Thaa Thaa Thaapungton [lower-alpha 1] ) is a traditional Meitei language lullaby. [1] [2] [3] It is one of the Meitei folk songs traditionally sung by parents, usually mothers. It has reference to the aspects of bringing up their child, besides their biological relationship with their child. It also has reference to the musical harmony with the care of the child, which may also influence on the child's life and health. [4]

Contents

In Meitei society, mothers usually carry their children on their backs or shoulders and sing the "Tha Tha Thabungton" cradle song, giving reference to the Thaa ( Meitei for ' moon ') [5] ) and the Heibong ( Meitei for ' ficus / fig fruit') [6] ). [7] [8]

Etymology

According to the opinion of some writers, "thabungton" (Meitei : ꯊꯥꯕꯨꯡꯇꯣꯟ) is the shortened form of "tha mapung maton" (Meitei : ꯊꯥ ꯃꯄꯨꯡ ꯃꯇꯣꯟ) (morphologically, "moon-full-top", literally meaning "full moon"). [9]

Lyrics

Lyrics in Meitei script Lyrics in Eastern Nagari script [lower-alpha 2] Lyrics in Romanization Lyrics in English translations (Translation by Mohendra Irengbam)Lyrics in English translations (Translation by Oriental Institute of Cultural and Social Research)
ꯊꯥ ꯊꯥ ꯊꯥꯕꯨꯡꯇꯣꯟ
ꯅꯆꯥ ꯃꯣꯔꯥꯝꯕꯤ ꯄꯣꯕꯤꯒꯦ
ꯄꯣꯕꯤ ꯁꯅꯝ ꯅꯝꯕꯤꯒꯦ
ꯍꯩꯕꯣꯡ ꯆꯔꯣꯡ ꯑꯃꯇꯪ
ꯊꯥꯗꯕꯤꯔꯛꯎ ꯊꯥꯕꯨꯡꯇꯣꯟ ꯫
থা-থা থাবুংতোন,
নচা মোরাম্বী পোবীগে
পোবী শনম নম্বীগে
হৈবোং চরোং অমত্তা
থাদবিরকউ থাবুংতোন ।
Tha tha thabungton,
nacha morambi pobige,
pobi sanam nambige,
heibong charong amatang
thadabiraku thabungton.
Moon, moon, young moon,
let me carry piggyback your morambi child.
Please throw down a bunch of figs, youngmoon. [10]
Oh Moon!
Let me carry your darling child on my back. ... [11]

The Meitei language term "Morambi" (Meitei : ꯃꯣꯔꯥꯝꯕꯤ) is translated as "darling child" in the publication of the "Oriental Institute of Cultural and Social Research". [12] On the other hand, the same term "Morambi" (Meitei : ꯃꯣꯔꯥꯝꯕꯤ) is defined as "a figure of baby, usu made of cloth" in a publication of the University of Chicago. [13]

Similar lullabies

See also

Notes

  1. In this particular case, the only difference between the Modern Meitei (Modern Manipuri) and the Ancient Meitei (Old Manipuri) is the changing of "b" with "p".
  2. Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language) is also written in Eastern Nagari script (Bengali-Assamese script), besides the Meitei script.

Related Research Articles

Lamphelpat is the district headquarter of Imphal West district in the state of Manipur, India. It is a suburb of Imphal city.

Thanga is an island village in the Loktak lake located in the Bishnupur district in the state of Manipur, India. In 2001, the population was 13085. 6514 were male. 6571 were female. The main occupation of this village is fishing. It is 55 km from Imphal, capital of Manipur.

<i>Phoebe hainesiana</i> Species of tree

Phoebe hainesiana is a species of tree in the family Lauraceae, native to India. It is the state tree of Manipur.

The Meitei calendar or the Manipuri calendar or the Kangleipak calendar or the Maliyapham Palcha Kumshing is a lunar calendar used by the Meitei people of Manipur for their religious, agricultural and other cultural activities. New moon is counted as the end of each month and has twelve months in total. The concept of era in Meitei calendar was first developed by Emperor Maliyafam Palcha, in the year 1397 BC in the realm of Kangleipak in present-day Manipur. It is believed that the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th months of the Meitei calendar were named after Poireiten's agricultural activities. Similar to Gregorian calendar, the Meitei calendar also consists of twelve months and seven days but the starting date with the Gregorian calendar is different. The new year day known as, Sajibu Cheiraoba is celebrated on the 1st day of the month Sajibu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nongthang Leima</span> Meitei goddess

In Meitei mythology and religion, Nongthang Leima is the goddess of seduction, thunder, and lightning. She was created by Atingkok to attract Haraba (Pakhangba). She mastered thunder and lightning in the chaos in the early world. She predicted the first rain. She limits the chaos and helps creation.

<i>Brojendragee Luhongba</i> 1973 Indian film

Brojendragee Luhongba is a 1973 black and white Indian Meitei language film produced and directed by S.N. Chand, the first filmmaker of Manipur. It stars S.N. Chand and Y. Ramola Devi in lead roles. It is based on Lamabam Kamal's short story of the same title. S.N. Chand underwent cosmetic surgery for the film. Principal photography began in 1971 and the film got CBFC certification on 30 December 1972. The movie was released at Usha Cinema, Paona Bazar on 26 January 1973. The digitalised version (4K) of the film was screened at MSFDS, Imphal on 29 April 2022 as a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yumjao Leima</span>

Yumjao Leima or Yumjao Lairembi or Yumjao Lairemma is the mother goddess of house, household, royalty, rule and power in Meitei mythology and religion. She is designated as the all time ruling Queen Mother. Legend says she assumes a human form in white clothes and blesses kings. She is one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helloi</span>

A Helloi or Heloi is a female nature spirit in Meitei mythology, folklore and religion. Hellois are often depicted in the forms of beautiful young women. They are often associated with seduction of men. They are the most powerful among the female spirits. They can cause diseases. The hellois are often known for their charming beauty, ecological balance and seduction of males. Hellois are sometimes seen as evil spirits in the forms of beautiful maidens.

Meitei Chanu is a Meitei language poem by Lamabam Kamal. It was first published in a magazine, with the same name, called Meitei Chanu (magazine) in the year 1924. It was republished in the author's book of his collection of poems called "Lei Pareng" in the year 1929. Its central theme is the reconfiguration of the identity of the Meitei people. The poem bountifully reflects the poet's love of his motherland and its heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei language in Tripura</span> Meitei language in Tripura

The Meitei language , also known as the Manipuri language , is one of the seven officially declared minority languages, besides Kokborok and Bengali, recognised by the Government of Tripura. Its promotion and development are done by the Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages, established in August 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kangla Sanathong</span> Western entrance gate to the Kangla Fort

The Kangla Sanathong, also known as the Kangla Gate, is the western entrance gate to the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hijagang</span>

The Hijagang is a boathouse inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal, India. It houses four traditional Meitei watercraft, including two hiyang hirens and two tanna his. According to Meitei religious beliefs, the hiyang hirens are used by the male ancestral deity and female ancestral deity and are sacred to the Meiteis, the major ethnic group of Manipur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manung Kangjeibung</span> Polo Ground located inside the Kangla fort in Imphal

The Manung Kangjeibung is an old polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Manipur. In ancient times, only royalties and nobilities were allowed to play the game of polo in this royal playground. It is one of the two most ancient pologrounds in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung .

The Kangla Nongpok Thong, shortly known as the Nongpok Thong, is the Eastern Gate Bridge of the Kangla Fort of Imphal, Kangleipak . With the re-opening of the modern Eastern Gate of the Kangla, the Kangla Western Gate was closed forever, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, due to the traditional Meitei belief that the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is ominous to enter the Kangla through the western doorway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manipuri Poetry Day</span> Annual event in India for Meitei literature

Manipuri poetry day, also known as Meitei Poetry Day, is an annual literary event organised to promote Meitei language (Manipuri) poetry. It takes place Manipur as well as in other Meitei-speaking areas, and aims to promote Manipuri literature to the world. It honours the contributions of the Meitei poets as well as the diverse and distinctive literary traditions of Manipur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hills and mountains in Meitei culture</span> Description of hills and mountains in Meitei culture

Many Chings play significant role in different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plants in Meitei culture</span> Description of plants in Meitei culture

Many pāmbīs play significant roles in the different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei cuisine, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Kangleipak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women in Meitei culture</span> Accounts on women in Meitei culture

Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumcha Lempi</span> Character in Meitei folklore

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese–Meitei cultural relations</span> Cultural relationship between Japanese and Meitei traditions

Japanese people and Meitei people have a long history of sharing and interacting with each other's art and cultural heritages, including but not limited to cinema, music, mythology, language, literature and theatre.

References

  1. Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. p. 242. ISBN   978-81-7049-063-0.
  2. Bhogeśwara, Oināma (1985). Manipurī loka sāhitya: Maitai khunnāirola phuṅgā wārī (in Manipuri). Vol. 1. India: Maṇipura Shṭeṭa Kalā Ekādemī. p. 245.
  3. Sharma, Sanamacha (21 October 2021). The Romantic Lie. Notion Press. p. 79. ISBN   978-1-68563-008-9.
  4. Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (25 May 2018). Short Essays on Women and Society: Manipuri Women through the Century (in English and Manipuri). p. 21.
  5. Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "thā")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). University of Chicago. p. 86. Retrieved 18 February 2023. thā ꯊꯥ /tʰa/ n. 1) moon.
  6. Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "heibong")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). University of Chicago. p. 210. Retrieved 18 February 2023. heibong ꯍꯩꯕꯣꯡ /həi.boŋ/ n. a tree of a genus (Ficus) of the moraceae family, with edible fruits. Morph: hei‑bong [fruit‑id.].
  7. "হীদাক কান্নরবা পাম্বীশিং ঃ হৈবো - ডা. হুইদ্রোম বীরকুমার -" (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).}}
  8. "My memories of Imphal from 1941 Part 2 By Mohendra Irengbam". e-pao.net (in English and Manipuri). Retrieved 19 February 2023. Tha tha thabungton, nacha morambi pobige, pobi sanam nambige, heibong charong amatang thadabiraku thabungton. Moon, moon, young moon, let me carry piggyback your morambi child. Please throw down a bunch of figs, youngmoon.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tha Tha Thabungton Reviewing a Lullaby By James Oinam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. "My memories of Imphal from 1941 Part 2 By Mohendra Irengbam". e-pao.net (in English and Manipuri). Retrieved 18 February 2023. Tha tha thabungton, nacha morambi pobige, pobi sanam nambige, heibong charong amatang thadabiraku thabungton. Moon, moon, young moon, let me carry piggyback your morambi child. Please throw down a bunch of figs, youngmoon.
  11. The Oriental Anthropologist: A Bi-annual International Journal of the Science of Man (in English and Manipuri). Oriental Institute of Cultural and Social Research. 2005. p. 6. Tha Tha Thabungton (Oh Moon) Nacha morambi pobige Pobi sanam nambige (Let me carry your darling child on ...)
  12. The Oriental Anthropologist: A Bi-annual International Journal of the Science of Man (in English and Manipuri). Oriental Institute of Cultural and Social Research. 2005. p. 6. Tha Tha Thabungton (Oh Moon) Nacha morambi pobige Pobi sanam nambige (Let me carry your darling child on ...)
  13. Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "morāmbi")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). University of Chicago. p. 154. Retrieved 18 February 2023. morāmbi ꯃꯣꯔꯥꯝꯕꯤ /mo.ram.bi/ n. a figure of baby, usu made of cloth.