Khamba Thoibi

The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng is composed by poet Hijam Anganghal of Samurou.[7] Before the creation of the epic poem, the story was told in the form of folk songs as well as oral folklore in the ancient kingdom of Moirang only.[8] [9] However, after Anganghal's contribution of the poetry to Meitei literature, the tale was popularized through the state of Manipur.

Khamba was a terrae filius, brought up by his elder sister Khamnu, who spared no pains for his safety and well-being. By the time he became a youth, he wanted to be of some help to his sister and came out in search of work. On the day he first moved out of his house, he happened to enter the residence of Chingkhu Nahaa Telheiba, the King's younger brother with its imposing house and spacious premises and there for the first time saw Thoibi, the only daughter of the prince, plying her needle in embroidery. The moment she saw Khamba, handsome and shapely in physique, she gave her heart away to him. But on the part of Khuman, at first he could not harbor such sentiments as he was conscious of his humble origin.[10]

There's another man named Nongban, who worked as a foil to Khamba. For a long time, there's none in Moirang to beat him in race, wrestling and hockey, but with appearance of Khamba, he's deprived of this honor. At first, Chingkhu Nahaa Telheiba took kindly to Khamba and despite his offer to maintain the young man in his family, the latter insisted on singing for his supper which he did by tending the stall-fed fierce bull of the prince. As everybody was curious of Khamba for such a physical prowess, his sister then kept him hiding for sometime during which period Thoibi was heart broken pined to have a glimpse of him. But from the grace of Lord Eputhou Thangjing, the two again met on the Loktak lake and went on steady till the recalcitrant behavior and over zealous stance of Thoibi provoked her father to come in the way of the lovers in league with Nongban.[11]

Khamba's gradual rise in popularity among the people and winning of the King's favour with the recognition of his identity on account of his superhuman feats in sports and capturing a wild bull singlehanded further incensed Chingkhuba. An abortive attempt was made on his life and subsequently Thoibi was sent to exile. But this act could not, in the least, crush the heart of the lover, for Thoibi on her being called back from disgrace had the opportune moment of joining with her love. Before the actual marriage took place and in a trial of fate, Nongban fell prey to a tiger which Khamba could overcome.[12]

The epic contains 15 chapters (Pandups) as well as 81 sections (Tangkaks). It consists of approximately thirty four thousand lines.

• The first English translation of the synopsis of the ancient Khamba Thoibi folk legends was published in the book The Meitheis , written by T.C. Hodson, in the year 1908.[13]
• The Khamba Thoibi epic poetry was translated to English language, under the title "Khamba Thoibi and Poems on Manipur" by Vimala Raina, published at the Government Press, Manipur, in the year 1963.[14]
• The direct English version of the epic poem is translated by Dr. Jodhachandra Sanasam in 2017, for which he received the prestigious Nongthombam Kunjamohan Singh Translation Award 2017.[15]
• The epic "Khamba Thoibi" is translated into Hindi language, by Sri Loitongbam Kalachand, which is published in the "E Pustakalaya".[16]

Khamba Thoibi Jagoi is a folk dance of Moirang, an ancient kingdom of Manipur. The dance was believed to be first performed by Khamba, a legendary hero in Manipuri mythology and his lover Thoibi, the then princess of Moirang in the premises of the ancient Lord Ebudhou Thangjing Temple.[17] [18][19] The dance is still performed during the religious festival of Lai Haraoba in Manipur.

• There is a cultural and historical museum in Ngangkhalawai village, Khamba Thoibi museum , which houses the traditional items used during the historic period, when Khamba and Thoibi were believed to be born.[20]

• In the year 2014, a grand symposium was organized in Nambol, Manipur, where there was a grand discussion on the topic Khamba Thoibi Seirengda Mityeng Ama , regarding the epic poetry of great poet Hijam Anganghal.[21]
• In the year 2019, in a mega exhibition held in Bhopal, India, the canvas Manipuri painting titled Khambana Kao Phaba , was shown.[22][23][24][25][26]

• Khamba Khamnu (1995) , was produced by Chandam Shyamcharan for C.S. Films Imphal Production.[27]
• Khamba Thoibi (1997) , was directed and produced by Moirangthem Nilamani Singh for Anjana Films.[28]
• There's a traditional folk song Moirang Sai (Tales from Moirang Khamba Thoibi) which has been endangered from a very long period of decades. However, recently, the ancient traditional folk music art, which covers 120 hours of performance, was revived by legendary folk singer Mangka Mayanglambam, which attain great public reception.[29]
• In the year 2010, the Laihui ensemble produces a drama, Kao The sacred bull , based on the saga of the orphan prince Khamba and his sister Khamnu.[30]
• A Manipuri feature film Langon , highlights the epic saga of the love between Khamba and Thoibi.
• There's an upcoming Manipuri 3D animation feature film under the title Khamba Thoibi, the epic .

• Manipuri dance
• Numit Kappa
• Pung cholom
• Thabal chongba
• Lai Haraoba
• Heikru Hidongba

• Khamba Thoibi and Poems on Manipur, 1963

• Khamba Thoibi Seireng, by Hijam Anganghal Singh, 1986
• Moirang Kangleirol, Khuman Khamba Seitharon, by Laisram Mangi Singh, 1980
• Khamba Thoibi Seireng Ahumsuba Saruk, by Hijam Anganghal
• Full text of "Khamba Thoibi" and poems of Manipur
• Samukhonggi Bichar, by Hijam Anganghal Singh, 1997
• Hijam_Anganghal_Singh, by Elangbam Dinamani
• Abridged from T. C. Hodson's "The Meitheis", 1908