By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Writers’ Union, Manipur, the prominent literary body of the Manipuri Muslims, released a book, titled “Pangalgi Khunung Eshei Naina-Wareng,” compiled by M.M. Ahmed, on July 7, 2013 at the Conference Hall of Manipur Hindi Parishad Hall, Imphal. The book is a collection of articles on folk-song sung by the Manipuri Muslims in the days gone by.
The function was graced by former President of Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, B. Jayantakumar Sharma as Chief Guest and former President of Writers’ Union, Manipur, Mohd. Abdur Rahman as President. Some of the eminent writers and literary enthusiasts of the State attended the function.
M.M. Ahmed speaking
Former President of Manipur Literary Society, Imphal, Dr. Lanchenba Meetei reviewed the book. Appreciating the work of Ahmed, Lanchenba Meetei said, “Ahmed has done the praiseworthy work of compiling the valuable papers written by some of the renowned scholars. The papers try to study, examine, explore and evaluate the different types of folk-song sung by the Manipuri Muslims in the past. These are valuable heritage of the Manipuri Muslims. It is very important that we collect and preserve these songs before we lost it all.”
Giving the presidential address, Abdur Rahman said, “Muslims came to Manipur during the reign of Maharaj Khagemba (1597-1652) from Taraf in Sylhet. They were settled by the Maharaj by offering them Meitei girls in marriage. The Muslims soon started adopting Meiteilon or Manipuri as their mother-tongue. In due course of time, the Muslims absorbed many of the local customs and traditions. It is said that Muslim started singing and composing different forms of Manipuri folk-song from the reign of Maharaj Paikhomba (1697-1709).”
“Muslims used to sing folk-song with great passion during marriage ceremonies. Earlier Muslims used to perform marriage ceremony for two days. One day before the marriage the friends of the bride and the groom entertained themselves by singing folk-song at night. These were done both at the residences of the bride and the groom. Khullang esei, a type of Manipuri folk-song, were commonly sung at marriage ceremonies. The girl-friends of the bride danced to the beat of the songs. The next day the groom went to the residence of the bride along with his friends and elders, and performed nikah. In the evening the parties of the bride and the groom played traditional games like mukna (wrestling) and jubi lakpi (game of snatching a coco-nut). The bride and few of his close friends stayed at the groom’s residence. At night, the party of the bride and the groom held singing competition. Urdu ghazal became popular among the Manipuri Muslims from the reign of Maharaj Churachand (1891-1941). However, after the Second World War Manipuri Muslims started giving up such elaborate marriage traditions,” Rahman further said.
The book has articles written by some of the well-known literary figures of the State, namely Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum, Laishram Birendrakumar Singh, Mohd. Abdur Rahman and M.M. Ahmad. In his article, Kayamuddin Pukhrimayum studies and traces the origin of the Manipuri folk-song sung by the Manipuri Muslims. Birendrakumar analyzes the folk-songs sung by the Manipuri Muslims. M.M. Ahmed writes about Marifat, the Islamic devotional songs, while Abdur Rahman studies the different forms of performing art of the Manipuri Muslims, namely jagoi esai, khunung esei, thabal esai, khullang esai, ghazal, qawali, marifat, nat and wari-liba.
The book has a chapter which gives short life sketches of some of the noted Muslim folk-singers of the State. Mohd. Ismail (1899-1970) from Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai, Hazi Mohd. Abdus Samad (b.1908) from Yairipok Tulihal, Mohd. Haoba (1934-1995)) from Lilong Tairel Makhong, Mohd. Nurdali of Sangaiyumpham, Mohd. Azizullah, popularly known as Marifat Chaoba (1938-) from Sangaiyumpham Cherapur, Mohd. Abdullah (1938-2003) from Yairipok Changamdabi, Asiya Bibi (b.1930) from Thoubal Hayel Labuk, Mohd. Jalaluddin Maibam (1915-1995) from Thoubal Moijing, Mohd. Nizamuddin (1932-1985) from Moijing Awang Leikai, Sana Hanbi Bibi (d. 1993) from Khetrigao Makha Leikai were some of the deceased Muslim folk-singers listed in the chapter.
The book mentions that Mohd. Ismail lived during the reign of Maharaj Churachand and he regularly performed at the royal court. He was awarded for his talents by the king. The book further noted that Mohd. Nurdali and Mohd. Azizullah presented Manipuri folk-song at the 2-Day (Dec. 28-29) Meitei-Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Cultural Festival and Exhibition organized by Aryan Theatre, Imphal, Islamic Cultural and Research Association (ICRA) and Manipur State Museum with the financial assistance of North-East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur, at State Museum Complex, Imphal, in 1997. Renowned Manipuri singer Pahari too performed at the function.
The book also listed few of the talented Muslim folk-singers who are still alive, namely Mohd. Abdus Salam (b. 1942) from Khetrigao Bengoon Mayai Leikai, Mohd. Abdul Halim (b. 1942) of Khomidok Epum Leikai, Hamidun Begum (b. 1972) of Khetri Bengoon Mayai Leikai, Mohd. Manergoon Sangaiyumpham Nungphou.
These folk-singers give public performances on very rare occasions. Hamidun Begum presented few Manipuri folk-songs at a seminar on folk-music organized by ICRA on Sept. 9, 2004 at Manipur Hindi Parishad, Imphal. Recently Abdus Salam and Hamidun Begum presented different forms of Manipuri folk-song sung by the Muslims in the past at the book-releasing function organized by Writers’ Union, Manipur on June 23, 2013.
M.M. Ahmed: Ahmed is a prominent Manipuri Muslim writer. He was born to Manipuri Muslims - Muhamuddin and Kusum Bibi - at Singorbond village, in Cachar district of Assam, in 1953. Later the family shifted to Jiribam in Manipur. After completing B.A. LLB, Ahmed served as I.E.O in the State Election Department for few years. Later he started practicing Law.
Ahmed has been associated with many literary bodies over the years. At present, he is the member of Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal and Writers’ Union, Manipur. He has already published few books in Manipuri, namely Wakf Law amasung Wakf Chatnarakpa (2001), Hazrat Muhammad (2004) and Sahityagi Echelda Manipuri Muslim (2010, edited along with S.M. Sheikh) and Manipuri Muslimgi Chatnabi amasung Harao-kumhei (2011).