A Historical Evidence that Proves Falsehood of the Present History, Literature etc. of Manipur |
A booklet examining some old manuscripts, written by Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, Published by Wangkhem family of Sagolband Thangjam Leirak in 2000, Price Rs 25/- (for ordinary cover), Page 44. Reviewed by: Konsam Kulladhwaja |
This booklet is written for the present generation and for the generations to come, mentions the author in the Introduction to this book. The author mainly hits the Manipuri letter (Meitei Mayek). According to Wakoklon Heelen Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok, the author claims that the right and original letter would be the 18 alphabet (Kok, Sam, Lai). The detailed accounts in this old manuscript are direct historical evidences given to us by the discovery of the Puya, the Wakoklon, so claimed the author. Following these 18 alphabets some sections of scholars borrowed 9 alphabets representing the sound b, d, g etc. and read as gok, jham, rai etc. Another section of scholars claims that this system of reading is not scientific. The 36 letters (including the alphabet anji) is the oldest, claimed some scholars. These two sections of pandits are now at loggerheads and their cases have been put in the court. The issue is yet to be settled. The Wakoklon puya is a copied one whereas there are so many old manuscripts which are thousands of year old, claimed some scholars. So we should ponder on the matter of the Manipuri alphabets and we should never give any knee-jerk response though the 27 alphabets were approved by the Government. There is an organization called the Meitei Mayek 36 Shandokpa Luplen which comprises more than 20 voluntary organizations. The organization publishes primers for reading the Manipuri alphabet (Meitei Mayek). If the youngsters learn the 36 alphabets they could read all the ancient manuscripts, claimed the Luphen. In another book called Manipuri Sahityagi Itihas RK Jhalajit explains how the Manipuri letters originated from the Ashoka Brahmi. |
Courtesy: The Sangai Express |
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