The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng, also spelled as the Khamba Thoibi Seireng (), is a 1940 Meitei language classical epic poem based on the ancient love story of Khuman prince Khamba and Moirang princess Thoibi of Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It is the magnum opus of Hijam Anganghal, the "Bard of Samurou". It is regarded as the national epic of the Manipuris. It is regarded as the greatest of all the epic poems in Meitei literature, with 39,000 verses, thereby being the third longest Indian epic poem, next to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
The epic saga is one of the major elements of the ancient body of chronicles Epic cycles of incarnations ("Moirang Shayon") as well as "Moirang Kangleirol" (ancient Moirang legends), two of the largest Meitei cultural resources of Manipur.
Textual history
The epic poem of the Khamba Thoibi Sheireng was developed by Hijam Anganghal Singh from the "pena sheishak" style of the folk ballads () sung by minstrels with pena (musical instrument). It was adapted from the Meitei folk ballad known as the "Khamba Thoibi ballad" (better known as the Moirang Sai), which is practised even in present time, for a continuous duration of 20-30 days in diverse musical genres.
The Khamba Thoibi Sheireng is regarded as the masterpiece of Hijam Anganghal. The literary work was started in the year 1939 and it was completed in the year 1940.
Synopsis
Khuman 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 prince Chingkhu Akhuba, the younger brother of King Chingkhu Telheiba, with its imposing house and spacious premises and there for the first time saw princess 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 Khamba, at first he could not harbor such sentiments as he was conscious of his humble origin.
Another man, Nongban, worked as a foil to Khamba. For a long time, there was no one in Moirang to beat him in race, wrestling and hockey, but with the appearance of Khamba, he is defeated and deprived of this honor. At first, the prince 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's physical prowess, his sister then kept him in hiding for a while. Thoibi is heart-brokened and pines after him. From the grace of God Thangching, the two meet again on the Loktak lake. Their love is steady until the recalcitrant behavior and overzealous stance of Thoibi provokes her father to come in the way of the lovers in league with Nongban.
Khamba's gradual rise in popularity amongst the people, 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 enraged the prince. A murder attempt was made on his life and subsequently Thoibi was sent to exile. However, this act could not, in the least, crush the heart of the lover. 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.
Structure
The epic contains 15 chapters (Pandups) as well as 81 sections (Tangkaks). It consists of approximately thirty four thousand lines.
1st Pandup
In the 1st Pandup, there are two tangkaks.
2nd, 3rd and 4th Pandups
The 2nd Pandup has only one tangkak named Kaang Saanaba . The 3rd Pandup has only one tangkak named Een Chingba . The 4th Pandup has two tangkaks, first one is Kangjei but the second one is unnamed.
5th Pandup
6th to 11th Pandups
The 6th Pandup has four tangkaks, first is Lamjel , while the remaining are unnamed. The 7th Pandup has fifteen tangkaks, with the first one being Kau , while the rest being unnamed. The 8th Pandup has two tangkaks, first being Ukai , but the second is unnamed. The 9th Pandup has three tangkaks, the first is Heijing , but the rest are unnamed. The 10th Pandup has a single tangkak, named Torbung Sadanba . The 11th Pandup has only one tangkak, Samukhong .
12th Pandup
13th Pandup
14th Pandup
15th Pandup
The 15th Pandup has one tangkak, Khamba Thoibi Luhongba .