By Saikhom Menjor
The movements for self-identity and self determination are the two trends of the age. Such movements have spread in many regions of the World and rocked the Asian regions. The South-Asian and South-east Asian regions such as Afghanistan, Kashmir, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, Andhra, Orissa, Madhya regions, Maharastra, Darjeeling, Kanta Pur, Assam, Tripura, Maibong, Nagaland, Manipur, Cachin, Maren and others are in turmoil and cauldron.
Manipur was a sovereign country for almost 2100 years. It is the oldest State in the south east Asian region. It began its life around 100 BC when Kangba was on Kangla. Nongda Lairen Pakhangba began to rule at/around 33/34 AD. Since then, his dynasty expanded and it was preserved for a long time. Such a historic country has been paralysed by armed conflicts and political movements since 1949. Now there are almost 36 armed organisations running parallel Governments. In the hills, there are clan-wise revolutionary groups even in this day. The Government formed under the Indian law cannot function. It has lost its legitimacy. Most of the people have lost their faith in it.
The Indian political system is based on imperialism and capitalism. It has given a great impact on the politicians of Manipur. Bribery has engulfed the society. Corrupt activities have blackened the faces of the people. The rich have become richer whereas the poor have become poorer. The poor have felt the brunt of the world economic crisis. Cost of things has risen alarmingly and a kg of rice has cost Rs. 25.00 at Imphal. The poor have expressed anger and shock. They are restless. Lakhs of the youths belonging to the poor family are restless. Such restlessness have boiled and turmoiled Manipur.
What will the Manipuri writers write under the present circumstances? What will they write about and for? Will they write in favour of India? Or will they write in favour of the great trends? The writers are in a great dilemma now. They are Hamlets. A question has oppressed them as Hamlet was oppressed by a question. Hamlet was cringing at the thought of what to do with Claudius (his uncle) who murdered his father and married his mother. Exactly, the poets, the story-writers, the novelists, and others are oppressed by the thought of what to do. It is a difficult time.
The poets and the other writers of Manipur are writing in favour of India. They do no love the poor. They do not write in favour of the poor. They cannot change the capitalism to socialism where there are political and economic equalities. A poor man has no time to read his poems and stories. A starved man dislikes his songs. They do not give them peace and salvation. The writers are mourning and mourning, but cannot change the rotten society.
Yes. Some poets are writing in favour of the present trends, but they practise dirty politics. They sink in bribery and corrupt activities. They continue to vote for the political leaders who betray the poor and the downtrodden. They have one thing whereas they have done another. They cause great and dirty contradictions.
A Retrospection. The Manipuri writers need to think of Nobel laureates. The Nobel Prize winners wrote on equality, rights, socialistic living, independence, sovereignty and so on. These are great themes of literature which do not change for ages and ages. They have caused great revolutions, great social changes in many countries. Their poems, short stories, novels, travelogues, essays have crushed many dictators. Their writings have defeated colonial powers. They have given the people equality in political and economic arenas. They have favoured the poor and the weak. Their poetry is great. Their novels are great. Their short stories are ideal and inspiring. A Russian won a Nobel Prize in literature. What did she write? The Manipuri writers need to read her works.
This article was published on Imphal Free Press.