Khamba Thoibi

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Lord Thangjing planning to create the characters of the divine play, Khamba meeting princess Thoibi in the Loktak lake, Khamba and his rival wrestling, the performance of the Khamba Thoibi Jagoi, Khamba capturing the wild feral bull, Khamba being attempted to be killed by his enemies using an elephant, princess Thoibi escaped from Kongyamba with a trick, Khamba and Nongban Kongyamba during a tiger hunt.

The ancient legend of "Khamba Thoibi" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ) is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom[a] of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).[1] Among the countless retelling editions of the epic story, the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ, lit.'Khamba Thoibi poem'[2]) is the national epic poem of the Manipuri people (Meitei people) of Manipur[3] and is written by Hijam Anganghal.[4][5][6]

The events in the epic took place during the reign of King Chingkhu Telheiba (1093 AD-1148 AD) in Ancient Moirang.[7] The saga is based mainly on romance, struggle, chivalry and intrigue, popularized by the bards of Moirang kingdom.[7]

The romantic saga of Khuman Khamba and Moirang Thoibi has deep religious importance to the culture of Meitei people.[8] The terms, "Khamba" means "Ultimate or fullness" and "Thoibi" means "Perfection of beauty and accomplishments".[8][9]

Notes[change | change source]

  1. Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called Manipur Kingdom.

References[change | change source]

  1. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  2. Siṃha, Elaṃbama Dīnamaṇi; Akademi, Sahitya (1997). Hijam Anganghal Singh. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0390-7.
  3. George, K. M. (1992). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  4. Sarabhai, Mrinalini (1979). The Sacred Dance of India. Bharatiya Vidya Bhaven.
  5. Folk-lore. Indian Publications. 1991.
  6. Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur: An early period. Manipur Commercial Company.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Kabui, Gangmumei (2004). The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu. Spectrum Publications. ISBN 978-81-87502-76-0.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Singh, N. Tombi (1976). Khamba and Thoibi: The Unscaled Height of Love. Chitrebirentombichand Khorjeirup.
  9. Bedi, Freda Marie Houlston (1967). Social Welfare. Publications Division.

Other websites[change | change source]