THE TRIUMVIRATE USHER IN MODERNITY

The literary landscape witnessed a dramatic upheaval in the early part of the 20th century with the entry of three overarching figures - Khwairakpam Chaoba, Lamabam Kamal and Hijam Anganghal. New consciousness shaped by forces of modernity, imprinted clearly in their works, heralded the advent of modern Manipuri literature.

Their works made a lasting impact on the collective Manipuri consciousness by interrogating many assumptions and notions of received ideas and practices.

Their literary works celebrated the richness of their culture, language and history as well as passionately foreshadowed a resurgent literature written in the grass-root Manipuri language with an explicit attempt to foreground its strength and vitality. Their versatility made them foray into different genres-poetry, drama, novel, short story, essay, epic and criticism. Rightly called the founding fathers of modern Manipuri literature they paved the path of modern sensibility in literary expression.

A serious poet, Chaoba never fails to use a word with optimum effect. His collection of poems Thainagi Leirang (The Flower of the Ancient Time) (1933) bears the hallmark of powerful use of language. In prose, too, he was equally prolific. His prose work Chhatra Macha was prescribed by Calcutta University in 1924. The historical novel Labanga Lata (1940) also remains as a work of distinction.

As a poet, Kamal laments the debility and neglect of our rich heritage. He calls forth a vision to reinvigorate the rich traditional culture. Influenced by Western Romanticism, his appeal for nature's beauty and harmony is striking. As a novelist, Kamal is credited for giving Manipuri literature one of its great classics, Madhabi (1930), a story of love and sacrifice.

Anganghal, inspite of poverty compelling him to drop out of school at an early age, gave Manipuri literature some of its most remarkable poems and novels. Of his works, Shingel Indu stands out along with Khamba Thoibi Seireng (Khamba Thoibi Poem), his magnum opus.

His lone novel Jahera has continued to exercise a grip on the minds of the people till today. Based on a love story between a Muslim girl and a Meetei boy, it has remained popular. This is a reflection of the existing cultural distance in terms of conjugal relationship between the Meeteis and the Meetei Pangals (Muslims). This is the socio-textual reading of a tradition in the literature.

His plays Thabal Chongbi, Nimai Sanyas, Ibemma and Poktabi performed by the Manipur Dramatic Union made him a rare genius gifted with great literary skill and imagination. Other literary figures like Hawaibam Nabadwipchandra, Asangbam Minaketan and R.K. Shitaljit made significant impact on the Manipuri literary landscape.

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