Travelogue records Manipur-Nepal cultural relations

IMPHAL | July 20

A book titled “Lumbini Leikolda Sathouba Leirang” (A travelogue on Nepal visit penned by Sahitya Bhushan awardee  Dr. Ch. Jamini Devi & published by Shree Shree Govinda Raseswari Pala Marup ) was released today at Raj Bhavan Darbar Hall by governor Najma A. Heptulla as the Chief Guest.

Padmashree R.K Jhalajit attended the releasing ceremony as the president and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Prof. Jodhachandra Sanasam graced the function as the guest of honour.

Jamini expressed her heartfelt thanks to the governor for allowing release of her book at the Raj Bhavan Darbar Hall. Appreciating Heptulla as great  parliamentarian and icon in the field of women empowerment, she said that she had taken her suggestions and blessings before leaving for her Nepal trip along with her 30 Raseswari Pala members.

The photograph of Raseswari Pala members along with the Governor is also included in the book. She further stated that the special personality & humility of the governor can be known when she avoided all protocols and travelled to Ima Market just recently.

Talking about the book, she expressed that the book is not merely a travelogue but a symbol of cultural message – that of love, integrity and cultural integration that tries to establish a cultural link between Manipur and Nepal.

She narrated that they visited President of Nepal, Vidya Bhandariji and exchanged views regarding the cultural relation between Manipur and Nepal. She made a mention of how Maharaj Bodhachandra married princess Iswari Devi of Nepal and later made her the queen of Nepal.

Talking about the title of the book “Lumbini Leikolda Sathouba Leirang”, she said that it is based on their visit to the historic Lumbini garden in Nepal where Lord Gautam Buddha was born.

Giving a brief insight on the activities taken up by Raseswari Pala Jamini said it is contributing towards the preservation and propagation of art and culture in and outside the state by organising seminars and cultural festivals at different places like Nabadwip dham, Puri, Pashupati Nath, Rangoon, Saigang and Shantiniketan.

Giving a review on the book, Jodhachandra said Jamini is a lover of nature indicated by the way she expresses her feelings when she saw flora and fauna of Nepal as she travels by. He critically analysed that the book will definitely be the birth of Manipuri literature . He said, “Having associated with education, social norms and study of environment, she discusses about ancient artefacts and gives her views on stretching hands to Buddhism. She is a prolific writer, having produced more than 40 books to her credit ranging in subjects from essays, short stories, poetry, travelogue and Manipuri culture and heritage.”

Expressing happiness over Jamini’ zeal for travelling, Heptulla said though, Manipur is small in terms of size and population, the region is immensely rich in terms of culture, tradition, oral history and dance. She strongly supported Socrates’s view that oral remembrance of history is better than writing.

Sharing her love for travelling and meeting people belonging to different languages and culture, the governor said that she had visited the pagodas where world famous historians like Huien Tsang, Fa Hien & Ibn Batuta came from. Till today, India’s footprints can be seen in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Japan and Myanmar, she said.

She requested Jamini to get her book translated in other languages like English in order to get a wider readership.

Jhalajit appreciated the work of Jamini and that of Raseswari Pala in reviving the  Sankirtan culture of the State.