Khongjom Parba Inspirational Patriotic Musical Tribute To The Martyrs Of Khongjom Lan
Dr. K. Sobita Devi *
A Khongjom Parba recital at Folk Music Concert in connection with Golden Jubilee year of AIR Station Imphal on 19th January 2013
Pix Courtesy - Bullu Raj
The Department of Art & Culture, Manipur came into existence in January, 1990 with the primary objective of preservation, promotion and dissemination of the art and culture of the State. The Department has since been endeavouring to promote the cultural heritage of the State.
As a part of the process, the Department organizes major cultural programmes such as the triennial Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance which expounds the Indian classical dances including the Manipuri Raas. Selected cultural troupes from both the hill and valley districts are sent to participate in different programmes organized by Zonal Cultural Centres of India, Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi and other agencies.
In giving emphasis on the contributions made by personalities from history who stood for the freedom and dignity of the Manipuri nation state, the Department had initiated the development and installation of statues of important personalities of the State, such as statues of Paona Brajabashi at Kheba Ching, Khongjom in Thoubal District; Thangal General at the RDS High School crossing in Imphal East District; Maharaja Gambhir Singh at the Maharaja's Samadhi at Langthabal in Imphal West District; and Tangkhul warriors at Khampi village in Ukhrul District. Statues of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra and Maharaja Narsingh are being planned to be installed at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre and at the Kangla Western Gate in Imphal.
In promoting cultural practitioners in the State, the Department extends financial assistance to more than 300 cultural institutions and organizations every year. The Manipur State Kala Akademi, a constituent unit of the Department, confers 'Life Time Achievement Award' carrying a cash award of Rs. 1 Lakh and citation to renowned persons in the field of art and culture. The renowned writer, M.K. Binodini Devi was the first recipient of the award.
As a major initiative of the office, the Department endeavours to promote the indigenous art forms of the State. Considering the relative importance of the popular ballad, Khongjam Parba as an indigenous musical narrative and also as a valuable source of information on the accounts of the battle of Khongjom, the Department has strove to patronize and promote this art form.
Each year during the State-level Khongjom Day celebration in April, emphasis is given on the performance of the Khongjom Parba as an integral part of the celebration. In this way, the Department seeks to revitalize this art form. We may discourse on why so much stress is laid on the revitalization of this ballad.
Ballad is a form of narrative poem or song that tells a story of the heroic deed of a legendary figure or an event in certain period of history. A ballad poet draws his material from community life, from local and national history of war, love, death and the supernatural.
In Manipur's context, the ballad 'Khongjom Parba' is a narrative on the heroic deeds of Manipuri warriors who fought the imperialistic British forces in 1891 A.D. in safeguarding the freedom of the then Manipur kingdom.
The essence of the ballad is that it was developed indigenously as a form of patriotic rendering dedicated to the courage of the Manipuri martyrs who in the face of certain defeat in the hands of the superior British forces, made the supreme sacrifice.
* Dr. K. Sobita Devi, Director, Art & Culture, Manipur, wrote this article as part of the "Manipur Today" - Published by DIPR on Khongjom Day 2013
This article was posted on May 30, 2013.
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