Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi

(Redirected from Tonu Laijinglembi) Old Meitei legend

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The story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi
Folk tale
Name	The story of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi
Aarne–Thompson grouping	no
Mythology	Meitei mythology
Country	Ancient Kangleipak (historical) India (present)
Region	Moirang, Manipur
Origin Date	During the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138–1210)
Related	Meitei folklore, Meitei literature

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The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi (Meitei: Kadeng-Tonu) is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi.

Characters

Tonu Laijinglembi and Kadeng Thangjahanba are real historical figures who lived in the 12th century during the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138–1210). In Meitei mythology, God Thangching (or 'Thangjing') blessed Henjunaha and Lairoulembi to be reborn as Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi. Writers and ballad singers of olden times interwove the two stories, creating a "cycle of regeneration and rebirth".

Kadeng Thangjahanba (Old Manipuri: Kateng Thangchahanpa) was a highly talented and skillful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (Old Manipuri: Laiching Ningthou Punsipa) of Moirang.

Tonu Laijinglembi (Old Manipuri: Tonu Laichinglempi) was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa (Old Manipuri: Laiching Lakpa), a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang.

Plot

Kadeng Thangjahanba is matchless in the art of blacksmithing, and thus earns the favour of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba of the Moirang kingdom and is appointed as the royal chief blacksmith. At the same time, Kadeng is having a romantic affair with the lady Tonu Laijinglembi.

As per the ancient traditional customs of Moirang, Kadeng is given the duty of going on a hunting expedition to gather wild animals for an annual festival; he leaves for many months. Meanwhile, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, having no son to succeed him, is very upset. The king consults the royal high priest, who suggests that a male heir can be achieved only if the king marries a lady of the King's namesake. Immediately, the king sends his men to find women in his kingdom with a name similar to his; they find only lady Tonu Laijinglembi. (Tonu Laijinglembi's name contains the word "Laijing", which is similar to the "Laijing" in King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba.) Tonu is reluctant, but cannot deny the royal proposal for the wedding. And so, during Kadeng's absence, Tonu and the king get married.

Kadeng returns from his hunting expedition, and is shocked and saddened to hear the news of his lover getting married. Kadeng crafts two beautiful swords: on the side of one sword, he engraves the images of Tonu and himself; on the other side of the sword, he engraves the images of the king and Tonu as the young queen. Kadeng presents the swords to the king as gifts. Initially, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba does not understand the meaning of the coded images.

Kadeng becomes extremely careless of his health, thereby falling seriously ill. The king is deeply concerned about Kadeng's deteriorating health conditions. But among everyone, Tonu is the most in grief. Seeing this, the king realises the meaning of the images engraved in the swords.

Without hesitation, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba sends Tonu Laijinglembi to the house of Kadeng Thangjahanba. Defying all the odds, the two lovers finally unite and live happily ever after. However, Tonu secretly carries in her womb the king's child, who is to become Ura Naha Khongjomba.

Sangai deer

During his hunting expedition, Kadeng Thangjahanba captured a Sangai deer from a place called "Torbung Lamjao" to present as a token of love to his lover, Lady Tonu Laijinglembi. However, when he learns that his beloved lady has married King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, his hopes are dashed. In sorrow, he releases the deer into the wild of Keibul Lamjao (present day Keibul Lamjao National Park area). According to folklore, these deer have lived in the Keibul Lamjao region since then.

In contemporary art and culture

Tonu Laijinglembi (2014) – a drama written by Sarangthem Bormani and directed by B Jugolchandra, shown on 22 March 2014; organised by the Manipur Dramatic Union.

Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol (28 April 2018) – the Meitei Mayek edition of the book "Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol" written by Hijam Guno.

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.

Notes

Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, and later became a province of the unified Manipur Kingdom.

References

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 ...
^ "Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
"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.
"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
"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.
^ Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani. pp. 550–590.
^ Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 66, 67. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
^ Boamani Singh, Sarangthem (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh. p. 2.
"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.
Khaute, Lallian Mang (2010). The Sangai: The Pride of Manipur. Gyan Publishing House. p. 55. ISBN 978-81-7835-772-0.
Press, Imphal Free (15 March 2014). "MDU drama festival from March 21 – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 15 October 2022.
"Literary books in Meitei Mayek released: 29th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
NEWS, NE NOW (26 March 2018). "Manipur Folk Drama Festival kicks off in Imphal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 15 October 2022.

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