Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi

The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi (Meitei: Kadeng-Tonu) is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom[lower-alpha 1] of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba (Old Manipuri: Kateng Thangchahanpa), a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi (Old Manipuri: Tonu Laichinglempi).[1] Kadeng Thangjahanba was a highly talented and skilful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (Old Manipuri: Laiching Ningthou Punsipa) of Moirang. Tonu Laijinglembi was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa (Old Manipuri: Laiching Lakpa), a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang.[2][3][4][5]

The story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi
(Meitei: Kadeng-Tonu)
Meitei and Latin transliterations of "Kadeng Thangjahanba" and "Tonu Laijinglembi"
Folk tale
NameThe story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi
(Meitei: Kadeng-Tonu)
Also known as
  • Kadeng Thangja Hanba & Tonu Laijing Lembi
  • Kateng Thangchahanpa & Tonu Laichinglempi
  • Kateng Thangcha Hanpa & Tonu Laiching Lempi
Aarne–Thompson groupingno
MythologyMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Country Ancient Kangleipak (historical)
 India (present)
RegionMoirang, Manipur
Origin DateDuring the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD)
RelatedMeitei folklore (Manipuri folklore),
Meitei literature (Manipuri literature)
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Meitei mythology
A tableau depicting Meitei divine mythical beings, like Hiyang Hiren and Pakhangba.
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History

Tonu Laijing Lembi & Kadeng Thangja Hanba are real historical figures who lived in the 12th century during the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD) of Moirang kingdom.[6][7][8]

Mythology

God Thangching (Thangjing) blessed Henjunaha and Lairoulembi to be reborn as Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijing Lembi. Writers and ballad singers of olden times wove the two stories of different lovers, thereby creating a classic tale of love and longing in Meitei literature (Manipuri literature).[9]

Plot

Kadeng Thangjahanba had no match for the art of blacksmithing, due to which he earned the favour of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba of Moirang kingdom. He was appointed as the royal chief blacksmith by the ruler.[10][11][12] At the same time, Kadeng Thangjahanba was having a romantic affair with lady Tonu Laijinglembi. As per the ancient traditional customs of Moirang, Kadeng Thangjahanba was given the duty to go to a hunting expedition to get a number of wild animals from the woods for the annual festival in Moirang. And so, Kadeng Thangjahanba left for the expedition to the woods for many months. On the other hand, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, having no son to succeed him, was very upset. And so, the king consulted the royal high priest. The priest suggested that the male heir could be achieved only if the king married a lady of the King's namesake. Immediately, the king sent his men to find out the ladies in his kingdom, who had similar name to his. The king's men found only one lady in the Moirang kingdom, and she was Tonu Laijinglembi. Lady Tonu Laijinglembi's name has the word "Laijing" which is similar to King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba's "Laijing". And so, during the absence of Kadeng Thangjahanba, Tonu Laijinglembi and King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba got married. During that time, Tonu Laijinglembi was reluctant but could not deny the royal proposal for the wedding. As time passed, Kadeng Thangjahanba returned from his months long hunting expedition. He was shocked to hear the news of his lover getting married. He could do nothing but to weep his heart out silently. Kadeng Thangjahanba crafted two beautiful swords. On the side of one sword, the images of Tonu and himself were engraved. On the other side of the sword, the images of Tonu as the young queen and King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba were engraved. Kadeng Thangjahanba presented the swords to the king as gifts. Initially, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba could not understand the meaning of the code images. On the other side, Kadeng Thangjahanba got extremely careless of his health, thereby falling seriously ill. He could no longer attend the royal works in the palace. The King, being a well wisher and an admirer of Kadeng Thangjahanba, felt deeply concerned about the latter's deteriorating health conditions. Among everyone, Tonu Laijinglembi's grief knew no bounds. Seeing all these, the king realised the meaning of the code images engraved in those swords. Without any hesitation, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba generously sent Tonu Laijinglembi to the house of Kadeng Thangjahanba. However, Tonu Laijinglembi was already carrying a child of the king in her womb for some months, when she came to Kadeng Thangjahanba's house. Defying all the odds, the two lovers finally united and live happily ever after.[13][14][15]

Accounts for Sangai deer
Further information: Sangai
A Sangai deer

During his hunting expedition, Kadeng Thangjahanba captured and brought a lovely Sangai deer from a place called "Torbung Lamjao" to be presented as a token of love to his lover, Lady Tonu Laijinglembi. However, when he found out that his beloved lady was already married to King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, all his hopes of their happy union were shattered away. And so, with the sorrowful feelings for the pangs of separation, he released the deer in the wild of the Keibul Lamjao (present day Keibul Lamjao National Park area). Since then, Sangai species started living in the Keibul Lamjao region according to folklore.[16][17]

In contemporary art and culture
Tonu Laijinglembi (2014)
It is a drama written by Sarangthem Bormani and directed by B Jugolchandra, shown on 22 March 2014, organised by the Manipur Dramatic Union.[18]
Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol (2018)
The Meitei Mayek edition of the book "Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol" written by Hijam Guno, was released on 28 April 2018.[19][20]
Tonu Laijinglembi (2018)
A drama based on the character of the same name, directed by L Bikram of the "Aryan Theatre, Imphal", was released on 30 March 2018 during the 6th All Manipur Folk Drama Festival in Imphal.[21]

See also

Further reading
  • Nabadipchandra Singh, Hawaibam (1983). Tonu Laijing Lembi Kavya (in Manipuri). Imphal: Manipuri Naharol Sahitya Sabha.
  • Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana (6 June 2021). The Sound of Pena in Manipur. Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 85. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
  • Datta, Amaresh (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 243. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1.
  • Bormani Singh, Saranghtem (2003). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). India: Shr. Shri. Gouranga Press.
  • Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur. Gyan Publishing House. p. 588. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.

Notes
  1. Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called Manipur Kingdom.

References
  1. Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0. Apart from several other works based on the theme of love, mention may be made of the literature coming from the Moirang region of Manipur. A civilization situated on the magnificent Loktak Lake, the culture of the Moirang clan has been noted. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or ages. The seven cycles are Akongjamba (hero) and Phouoibi (heroine); Henjunaha (hero) and Leima Lairuklembi (heroine); Khuyol Haoba (hero) and Yaithing Konu (heroine); Kadeng Thangjahanba (hero) and Tonu Laijinglembi (heroine); Ura Naha ...
  2. Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani. pp. 550–590.
  3. "Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  4. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 66, 67. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  5. Boamani Singh, Sarangthem (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh. p. 2.
  6. "Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  7. "Event and Achievement Part 3 Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 12". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022. PURIKLAI LAIJING PUNSIBA (1138-1210) He was the 33rd King of Moirang and during his long period of 70 years rule, two remarkable love stories of Salwon and Langwon of Moirang Kangleirol series, were witnessed one was the 8th and tragedy story of 'Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijinglembi'- and the other was the 9th in the series, Khongjomba-Pidongnu - of Moirang Sheisaklon series.
  8. "manipur channel >>Moirang Kangleirol ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022. Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (AD 1138-1210) Kadeng Thangja Hanba - Tonu Laijinglembi
  9. "Henjunaha masculinity redefined By Rubani Yumkhaibam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022. Lord Thangjing and his consort bless Henjunaha/Lairoulembi to be reincarnated into another lore of romance in the figure of Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijing Lembi, a classic tale of love and longing in the Manipuri literature. Henjunaha and Lairoulembi are the cycle of regeneration and rebirth.
  10. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 66. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  11. "Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  12. Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani. pp. 550–590.
  13. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 67. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  14. "Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  15. Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani. pp. 550–590.
  16. "State Animal Sangai". 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2022. Sangai is a glittering gem in the rich cultural heritage of Kangleipak (Manipur). It is said that a legendary hero Kadeng Thangjahanba of Moirang once captured a gravid Sangai from Torbung Lamjao for a loving gift to his beloved Tonu Laijinglembi. But as ill luck would have it, he found his beloved to be at the palace of the king as his spouse and, as such, all his hopes were shattered. In desperation, the hero released the deer free in the wild of Keibul Lamjao and from that time onwards the place became the home of Sangai.
  17. Khaute, Lallian Mang (2010). The Sangai: The Pride of Manipur. Gyan Publishing House. p. 55. ISBN 978-81-7835-772-0.
  18. Press, Imphal Free (15 March 2014). "MDU drama festival from March 21 – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  19. "Literary books in Meitei Mayek released: 29th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  20. "Literary books in Meitei Mayek released – Manipur News". 28 April 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  21. NEWS, NE NOW (26 March 2018). "Manipur Folk Drama Festival kicks off in Imphal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
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