TODAY -

Hijan Hirao: Text, Context, and Translation: Book Review

James Oinam *



Title: Hijan Hirao: Text, Context, and Translation
Author: Ksh. Premchandra Singh
Year of Publication: 2015
Publisher: Sahitya Seva Smiti, Kakching
No. of Pages: 91

The book, as the title suggests, is on Hijan Hirao which is phonetic variation of 'Hichan Hilao' (Hi = boat, Chan = to construct/make; Hi = boat, Lao = to shout). It is one of the songs or poems sung towards the end of Lai Haraoba festival.

The Foreword for the book, written by Lokendra Arambam, sets the tone for the book by putting the Hijan Hirao literature in contrast to the western/colonial world view. The importance of sensitivity towards our surrounding (ecosystem) by our forefathers, which was mocked at that time by the West, has now been increasingly realized everyone all over the world. The interaction or union between the air (sky), personified by the god Sorarel, and the mother earth is retold again and again in the Lai Haraoba festival.

The ecstasy of the union is relived again and again to spread joy and well-being in the community. From the yum lai (household god), to umang lai (forest god) to lam lai (countryside god), the ancient religion took great care of non-human entities at various hierarchies of the ecosystem.

The main text of the book is in three parts. In the first part, called 'Hijan Hirao: Context', the author quotes various passages to further develop the argument put forth in the Foreword. Also, the quotes highlight the rich literature of the ancient past that needs to be brought to light. Understanding the past would help tremendously in shaping our future for the better is what the author feels.

This part has the folktale of the Sangai, the endemic brow antlered deer of Manipur found in the Keibul Lamjao national park. The story of Sangai is related to the story of the u-ningthou (literally king tree), which is the main story of the Hijan Hirao given in detail in the second part of the book, titled 'Hijan Hirao: The Translation'.

There are useful notes and references section at the end of the first section. The second section, which is English translation of the poem, has useful footnotes explaining the important terms. The third part, titled 'Hijan Hirao: Text', has scanned images of the Hijan Hirao text in Meetei/Meitei script.

Hijan Hirao tells the story of the tree (u-ningthou) which was cut down by the king Luwang Punsiba to make the first boat. The idea of a boat came to him when he saw an ant and a rat cross Singtha River on a tiny twig and a reed floating in the water. The tree was marked to be cut the following morning by the king's men.

The lamentations of the mother tree, Irok Laicham Leima, and the father, Irok Ningthou, in the night before their beloved son is to be cut, are very poignant. Before cutting the tree, all kinds of offerings are made to the tree and a maiba (a priest) is also consulted for the occasion. The picturesque visualization and rendition will draw sympathy from the readers for something or someone whose nature it is not to cry out for help or express its pain.

Phonetic shift due to long use of the Bengali script and not to mention the deliberate attempts by the Meitei kings to suppress the ancient religion has made our ancient literature and culture obscure to us, the present generation. I personally feel poetry like this can be used to inculcate a sense of responsibility towards our environment.

There are perhaps many more such literatures yet to be uncovered, or reread for understanding in the modern context. The author and the Sahitya Seva Samiti need to be congratulated for their efforts in this direction.


* James Oinam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be reached at jamesoinam(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on November 22, 2016.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • May 3rd - "Resistance Day" at Bangalore
  • From Matam Esheis to Indie bands
  • AMFA, State trio shine at AIFF Awards 2025
  • Redlands :: Poem
  • Digital age is creation of e-libraries
  • Resignations from civil services
  • Looking back at the past 730 days
  • CSOs strike tough postures, IDPs suffer
  • Restore respect & dignity of the Kanglasa
  • Manipur unveils ropeway linking heritage
  • Reunion of 23rd souls at Ziro, AP
  • The Power of Poppy - 79 :: Poem
  • Indo-Pak ties at crossroad after Shimla Pact
  • Food to protect skin from UV Rays
  • Radio E-pao: New Channel - Khunung Eshei
  • Poukhinlung, Tuireising, Kenhring : eMing
  • Cross-Border Terrorism: The Invisible War
  • Moreh's Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
  • May 3 conflict: Aftermath & resilience
  • Reaffirms May 3 as "Manipur Peace Day"
  • CSR for Rural Transformation
  • Ongoing affairs since May 3, 2023
  • 2 years of conflict, no signs of resolution
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Day 4: Yaoshang Sports #2 : Gallery
  • UN Decade on Indigenous Peacebuilding
  • Imphal's Ring Road Project - faster city
  • Appeal: Turn May 3 into 'Peace Day'
  • Health equity fundamental to #endMalaria
  • Wanted : Regional party with root in Manipur
  • Nagaland ranks high in college in NE
  • Khongjom Day - April 23 #2 : Gallery
  • Managing Expectations Means ...
  • Suspension of IWT by India: reality checks
  • Pilgrims barred from entering 'Kuki territory'
  • Mushroom Cultivation training at Tarung
  • Preserving fertility for future : Freezing eggs
  • Roadblocks to bid for new Govt formation
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan in the thick of it
  • The Waterbirds of Loktak Lake
  • May Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Tamenglong - beacon of communal harmony
  • Moreh & the promise of a shared future
  • Delimitation & NRC issues in Manipur
  • World Veterinary Day 2025
  • Manipur: Runners-Up at 4th Nat'l Futsal, Goa
  • Farce of a ban on single use plastic
  • Cold storage launch plan in food crop
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @Kangla : Gallery
  • Sarungbam Athouba: Gold @Asian Triathlon
  • NID silence on Indigenous Design authorship
  • Negativity of over-positivity
  • The Deadliest Mind :: Poem
  • Buffalo breeding farm gathering dust
  • Needed: Consistent, correct narrative
  • Congress attacks, BJP unfazed
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #1: Gallery
  • Pope Francis: A Man of our time
  • Who failed FNR? Or is it FNR which failed ?
  • Turning blinds eye to preventable epidemic
  • Civil servant Jerry the savior
  • Changing drug route to Mizoram
  • Outcries over false JJM claims
  • Statues of 7 Maichous @Kyamgei : Gallery
  • Yaoreishim showcases leather craftsmanship
  • Illicit poppy cultivation in Manipur
  • PWF: Election of New Office Bearers
  • Manipur boxers- 5 medals at Asian U-17
  • The Power of Poppy - 78 :: Poem
  • Meeteis are as Indian as any other citizen
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • A challenge to India Security Framework
  • Step Back to Slingshot Forward
  • Manipur's path to climate resilience
  • "Delhi Fashion week" is Now official
  • Harvest of Hope :: Poem
  • Travel beauty tips for summer holidays
  • Credible show of the students
  • Kashmir matters, not Manipur
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Khongjom Day - April 23 #1 : Gallery
  • Thang Ta finds new energy amid peace
  • Tawang: Geostrategic importance for India
  • Thadou appeal for community understanding
  • Census 2001 & delimitation in Manipur
  • Condemns Pahalgam Terror- Calls for Action
  • Failing to read & control situation
  • Visible efforts essential for public trust
  • MK Binodini Devi's short story 'Tune'
  • Prof Moirangthem Marjit chairs SETSM, Hanoi
  • Will the two Asian giants always be in Rivalry?
  • Rebellion surfaces in rebel group NSCN-IM
  • Child Labour :: Poem
  • Pharmaceutical Waste: Threat to public health
  • Call for delimitation, NRC : Check illegal
  • Death knell for noble healthcare schemes
  • 175th Anniv- Maharaj Narasingh #2 : Gallery
  • World Earth Day : Gallery
  • Understand Suicide & Mental Health Support
  • Manipur champion @ Natl School Games
  • World Earth Day celebrated at MTU
  • The Earth Day 2025: Our power, our planet
  • How long will PR continue ?
  • Eviction drive need of the hour
  • Tamnalai : World Theater Day #1: Gallery
  • Chumthang Makhong : Play Synopsis
  • The demands of village volunteers
  • Missing you :: Poem
  • AI offers hope for beekeepers battling pest
  • Rural women, climate shock: Beijing report
  • From March 8, 2025 to April 22, 2025
  • The Power of Confident Communication
  • 2nd State Level Soccer Futsal Championship
  • April 21: National Public Relations Day
  • The resurrection of Jesus & its impact
  • Bhalla saab solution kithe ?
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • JNIMS turned into a dumping site
  • Sub-par work as centre vows US-level roads
  • Cheiraoba by Manipuri in Korea : Gallery
  • Sri Lanka "Ayubowan" lasting impression
  • GoI must prepare to handle post-Muivah
  • Vice President felicitated Mughavi Tuccu
  • The Power of Poppy - 77 :: Poem
  • Rabies outbreak in Manipur
  • Athoubashinggi Numit #2 : Gallery
  • Pangolin & fight against Climate Change
  • Condemn violent assault against Konsakhul
  • Spring's symphony in my farmhouse :: Poem
  • National Conference on Elderly at RGU
  • The corruption & materialism of Judas
  • Manipur under PR for over 2 months
  • Bid to form government amid public scrutiny
  • 175th Anniv- Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • AI & technology in Manipur's agriculture
  • 4 Manipur players in Indian Women's Hockey
  • Gender justice & health equity are linked but ...
  • Digital marketing: Oxygen of modern business
  • Spring fruits that boost collagen in your body
  • Pot holed roads & others: Surviving Manipur
  • Frustration over centre failure to resolve crisis
  • Pichakari @Govindajee Temple #2 : Gallery
  • Poshan Pakhwada @ MU : Gallery
  • Startup Surge Manipur: Startup Venture Fund
  • My messy room :: Poem
  • Why WAQF Act, 2025 is unconstitutional
  • Emerging politics at play
  • National Fire Service Week
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #2 : Gallery
  • Cheiraoba in South Korea
  • Festival of Maram Achouba Khoushaba
  • The Hidden Strength in Falling Short
  • World Health Day 2025 & our Environment
  • Career after marriage: Flight or confusion?
  • Ban on SUP has come into force
  • Preying on abandoned houses
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • Climate Change : Spring revival in Ukhrul
  • Merger Agreement: Meaningless paper ?
  • Yaingang in sunscreens
  • Will all children be born free of HIV by 2030 ?
  • Athoubashinggi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Day 4 : Yaoshang Sports #1 : Gallery
  • Narendra Ningomba - 'Iboyaima Award 2025'
  • Naga leaders Isak Sumi & Tikhak expound
  • Parrotisation in post-colonial intellectualism
  • Call me Burma :: Poem
  • Claim the crown if you have 30 !
  • Marching towards the 2 year mark
  • Train service vow amid fear over migrants
  • Cheirao-chingkaba @Chinga : Gallery
  • Why words matter in Manipur
  • Appeal for a Way Forward in Manipur
  • Birth Anniv of BR Ambedkar at MU
  • Final Call : Phase-2 of MFA 2024-25
  • The Power of Poppy - 76 :: Poem
  • Astronauts as a Career Choice
  • 16th Annual Art Exhibition #1: Gallery
  • Classic FA's Inspirational Journey in RFDL
  • Shifting weather patterns driving dengue cases
  • Early Childhood Caries: Public health concern
  • Lord Ramacandra's glorious examples
  • Media, women, & sensationalism
  • Cocking a snook at Delhi meet
  • Lobbying for preferred place of posting
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • Privileges & Safeguards for STs of Manipur
  • Personal & Professional Development
  • Ode to Peace :: Poem
  • Entries for 17th Manipur State Film Awards
  • Makeup tips to illuminate your look this spring
  • AI-based drones to revolutionise agriculture
  • Of shabby & pot holed roads: Defining Imphal
  • Mizoram feeling heat of sheltering refugees
  • The last ember glows : Will we let it burn ?
  • Business Idea Competition @ Manipur Univ
  • 1/2 of women cant make decision on health
  • 2nd State Level Soccer Futsal Championship
  • The life of Mahavir Bhagwan
  • 'Yummy Talent Fest' at Shillong
  • Another ban on single use plastic
  • Reasons for dissent against AFSPA
  • Mei Loukhatpa @Laipubam : Gallery
  • Indigenous People's Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Delimitation based on Census 2001 - II
  • Yaoshang Halankar #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #3 : Gallery
  • Supreme Court Judges visit : Gallery
  • Id-ul-Fitr @ Yairipok, Kshetrigao : Gallery
  • Shortcomings - Delimitation in Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • MoU with Nittur IAS Academy
  • Yaoshang Sports @ Kwakeithel #2 : Gallery
  • Saroi Khangba @ Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta for emotional balance
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #2 : Gallery
  • Day 5: Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • National Bamboo Festival : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #2 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa #4 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang Mei Loukhatpa @Kangla : Gallery
  • 1st AMAND Football Cup @ Pune : Gallery
  • In Memory of Aheibam Koireng
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #1: Gallery
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet