By Dr. Syed Ahmed, TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: The literary society of the Manipuri Muslims, Writers’ Union, Manipur released a book on folk-songs of Manipuri Muslims at a function organized at Agriculture Department Training Hall, Sanjenthong at Imphal on June 23, 2013.
The function was graced by renowned musicologist of the State Laishram Birendrakumar Singh as Chief Guest and Professor of Manipuri Department, Manipur University Dr. Oinam Ibochouba Singh as Special Guest. President of Muslim Writers’ Union Mohd. Abdur Rahman presided the function. Some of the well-known literary figures and scholars of the State attended the function.
The book titled “Pangalgi Khunung Eshei” is a collection of folk-songs sung by the Manipuri Muslims in the past, written by Mohd. Abdur Rahman and Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum.
Introducing the book, S.M. Sheikh said, “The Manipuri Muslims, locally known as Pangal (believed to be a corrupt word for Bangal), used to sing different types of Manipuri folk-song in the past. These folk-songs were almost similar to those sung by the Meities in style, rhythm and tune. These traditional folk-songs, composed by the ordinary folks on various themes, were sung by both men and women during festive occasions and while engaging in work. They were sung with great enthusiasm during wedding ceremonies. In the past, a day before the marriage the friends of the bride and the groom gathered at night to sing the Manipuri folk-songs, along with Urdu ghazal and qawali, as a form of entertainment. The Muslim folks had orally transmitted these songs through generations.”
The book has samples of different forms of Manipuri folk-song sung by the Manipuri Muslims, namely thabal esei, jagoi esei, fagi esei, khulang louta esei, pangal wari libasinggi esei, pangal khullang esei, etc. The book has also a collection of ghazals sung by the Manipuri Muslims in the past. It is noted in the book that Manipuri Muslims started singing Urdu Ghazal, composed by Urdu poets of mainland India, from the early part of 20th century during marriage and other socio-cultural functions. Qawali also became popular among the Manipuri Muslims after the Second World War.
Abdus Salam presenting Manipuri folk-songs
A specimen of Urdu ghazal, titled ‘mast,’ given in the book:
Aaj dilbarko khwabme dekha/nure hak-ka hijabme dekha/khud fana hoke jatme milna/ye tamasha hubabme dekha/aapko sokhat gairko lajjat/ye majaham kabab me dekha/baithkar shair mulk-ki karna/ye tamasa kitab me dekha/hak piyale me mast ho jana/ye tamasha sarab me dekha
Jab husna ajjal par woh emkaname aaya/har rang bahrang har ek sanme aaya/hur matse malaikane jisse sajda kiya he/jis waqtki woh surte insanme aaya/gul hi wahi samban wahi nargis heiran/apne hi tamaseko gulistan me aaya/awwal wahi akhir wahi jahir wahi batin/majkur yahi ayate quranme aaya/qanun wahi saj wahi talba wahi he/har tar me bola ki har ek tanme aaya…
Urdu nat, songs sung in praise of Prophet Muhammad, also became popular from the early part of 20th century. Today nat are composed in Manipuri. Marifat, a form of devotional song which deals with Islamic mysticism, also became popular among the Manipuri Muslims. This particular style of singing, without any musical instrument, was introduced by the Manipuri Muslims of Cachar district.
Ibochouba Singh, who reviewed the book, analyzed the folk-songs academically and said that the authors of the book have done a very pioneering and praiseworthy work. We have to appreciate the meticulous work that the authors have done. These folk-songs are gems for the Muslim community which will certainly help in constructing the history and identity of the Muslims in Manipur, he added.
Hamidun Begum presenting Manipuri folk-songs
In his speech, Abdur Rahman said, “I along with late Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum (he passed away in 2003) had collected the folk-songs which were existing orally. This way we could preserve these valuable songs for posterity. We publish the collection as Pangal Khunung Esei in 1986. This book immensely helped the young research scholars who were doing researches on the society and culture of Muslims in Manipur. We do not have any more copy of the book now. However, scholars come to ask for the book. S.M. Sheikh has also over the recent years collected a good amount of folk-songs from the Manipuri Muslims. So the Writers’ Union, Manipur decided to compile all these and publish again. We hope the readers will welcome our efforts.”
Abdus Salam and Hamidun Begum, well-known folk-singers, entertained the gathering by presenting different types of Manipuri folk-song sung by the Muslims in the past.