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Meitei language in Tripura

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The Meitei language (Meitei: ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ/মৈতৈ লোন, romanized: Meitei Lon), also known as the Manipuri language (Meitei: ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯂꯣꯟ/মণিপুরী লোন, romanized: Manipuri Lon),[2] is one of the seven officially declared minority languages, besides Kokborok and Bengali, recognised by the Government of Tripura. Its promotion and development are done by the Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages, established in August 2012.[3]

Meitei language in Tripura
(Meitei: ꯇ꯭ꯔꯤꯄꯨꯔꯥꯗ ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟ/ত্রিপুরাদা মৈতৈলোন)
Manipuri language in Tripura
(Meitei: ꯇ꯭ꯔꯤꯄꯨꯔꯥꯗ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯂꯣꯟ/ত্রিপুরাদা মণিপুরী লোন)
Meitei language, written in Meitei script and Bengali script
RegionTripura
EthnicityMeitei people
Native speakers
30,000 (2023)[1]
Meitei script and Bengali script
Official status
Recognised minority
language in
Development body
Language codes
ISO 639-2mni
ISO 639-3mni
Glottologmani1292
This article contains IPA phonetic symbols. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Unicode characters. For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA.

In Meitei language, Tripura is known as "Takhel" (Meitei: ꯇꯈꯦꯜ).[4]

In Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, Meitei language is the fourth most widely spoken language, after Bengali, Tripuri (Kokborok) and Hindi, according to 2011 census.[5]

Endangerment

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There is a rapid decline in the number of native speakers of Meitei language in Tripura. It is mainly because they turn to Bengali language as a means of communication, in an increasing number.[6]

In April 2023, on its 59th annual conference, the "Manipuri Literature Council, Tripura" (MLCT) declared that the future of Meitei language and culture in Tripura is uncertain.[7]

“The Manipuri community in Tripura is facing challenges in the State and struggling to keep its cultural and linguistic originality. The originality of our language is lost when it crossed paths with Bengali”...“We are planning, based on ground reality, to re-establish and restore the originality of the indigenous Manipuri language.”

— T H Nilkumar Sinha, General Secretary of MLCT[8]

Development groups

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The 30 members of the "Advisory Committee for Development of Manipuri Language" works for the development of Meitei language in the state.[9]

The Manipuri Literary and Cultural Forum, Tripura works for the development of Meitei language and culture in Tripura.[10] It regularly works together with Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, organising symposiums.[11][12]

Writing systems

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Students of Tripura origin, who pursue Meitei language as a subject in Master's degree in the Manipur University (MU) are allowed to study in Bengali script, even though the general writing system for the language subject was shifted to Meitei script since 2020.[13][14]

Manipur Government was also requested to urge the Government of Tripura to allow using Meitei script for writing Meitei language instead of Bengali script in the educational institutions, starting from lower classes.[15][16][17]

Education

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Schools

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In Tripura, Meitei language was taught as a subject in three schools since 1998. By 2012, the number of schools was increased to 23.[18]

Universities

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In December 2021, Tripura University sent a proposal to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Union Government of India, to grant permission for providing diploma courses in Meitei language, and some foreign languages, like Japanese, Korean and Nepali.[19] After getting approval, the University of Tripura offers diploma courses in Meitei and the other languages.[20]

Literary awards

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Every year, the Tripura branch of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, a group that works for the development of Meitei literature, gives awards to different people recognising their contributions to the Meitei language. Some of the titles of the awards are, N. Chandrahas Memorial, Rajkumar Surendrajit-Sija Bidhumukhi Memorial, Leihao-Tembi Memorial, Dr. Bhupendranath, K. Chandrakumar & L. Gokul Singha Memorial awards.[21]

Moreover, the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad also gives awards to top 30 Meitei meritorious students of classes, 10th and 12th standards in Tripura. The names of the awards were Dr. T Biren Memorial, M. Radhamohan Memorial, C. Khalendra Memorial, L. Ratan Singha Memorial, Mutum Chitra Singha Memorial, T. Uma Memorial awards, among others.[22]

Mass media

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Newspapers

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"Marup" (Meitei: ꯃꯔꯨꯞ) is a Meitei language newspaper published in Tripura. It was first published on 8th May, 1969, by R.K. Kamaljit (Meitei: ꯑꯥꯔ. ꯀꯦ. ꯀꯃꯜꯖꯤꯠ) in order to preserve the Meitei language, culture, tradition, and news about Meitei people. Till then, it serves to be the only newspaper that publishes news about the Manipuris living in Tripura.[23][24] Its readership spreads across the neighboring regions of Bangladesh and the Indian state of Assam.[25]

Demands

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Ranjan, an Indian member of Parliament of Lok Sabha, asked the Chief Minister of Tripura, to introduce Meitei language as an optional subject from lower classes upto 12th standard, in schools, highlighting the importance of promoting Meitei language among the Tripuris.[26][27]

The Meitei language speaking people of Tripura and other places together demand the official classical language status to be granted to Meitei language.[28]

Language Day

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Meitei language speakers and lovers annually celebrate the "Manipuri Language Day" on 20th August in Tripura, to remember the day on which their language was made one of the scheduled languages of the 8th schedule for the Constitution of India.[29][30][31]

Representing Tripura in national events

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2023

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Sorokhaibam Gambhini (Meitei: ꯁꯣꯔꯣꯛꯈꯥꯏꯕꯝ ꯒꯝꯚꯤꯅꯤ), a Meitei poetess from Tripura, won the Sahitya Akademi Award 2023, for Meitei language category, for her work "Yachangba Nang Hallo" (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯆꯪꯕ ꯅꯪ ꯍꯜꯂꯛꯈꯣ, Go back Yachanba). She is the first writer from Tripura to get the prestigious award in the field of Meitei literature (or Manipuri literature).[32][33][34]

2019

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In March 2019, on the International Women's Day, Konjengbam Sarita Devi (Meitei: ꯀꯣꯟꯖꯦꯡꯕꯝ ꯁꯔꯤꯇꯥ ꯗꯦꯕꯤ), a female writer of Tripura of Meitei origin, was selected in the "All India Women Writers' meet" organized by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, located in New Delhi, for reading Meitei language poems.[35]

Representing Tripura in international events

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Notable exhibitions

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In Moscow International Book Fair, in September 2009, a book titled "Itihaser Aloke Tripura-Manipur" was shown. It was written in both Meitei language and Bengali language. The book was about the historical relation between Tripura and Manipur. The Meitei and Bengali versions were written by L Birmangal & Pannalal Roy respectively. It was published by the Akshar Publications, a renowned publisher of Tripura state. It was shown by the National Book Trust Of India.[36]

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References

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  1. ↑ "Manipuris residing in Tripura demand action to stop violence in Home State | thetripurapost". Manipuris residing in Tripura demand action to stop violence in Home State | thetripurapost. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  2. ↑ "Manipuri language | Manipuri language | Meitei, India, Tibeto-Burman | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  3. ↑ "Aboutus | Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages". kokborokoml.tripura.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  4. ↑ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary". dsal.uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). University of Chicago. p. 74. Retrieved 2024-05-29. takhel ꯇꯈꯦꯜ /tə.kʰel/ n. a former name of present Tripura (a northeast state of India), as known to the Manipuris.
  5. ↑ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  6. ↑ Press, Imphal Free (2012-02-21). "Experts mull over ways to preserve and protect local languages – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  7. ↑ "Originality of Manipuris at stake: MLCT | thetripurapost". Originality of Manipuris at stake: MLCT | thetripurapost. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  8. ↑ "Originality of Manipuris at stake: MLCT | thetripurapost". Originality of Manipuris at stake: MLCT | thetripurapost. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  9. ↑ "Language Advisory Committee | Directorate of Kokborok & Other Minority Languages". kokborokoml.tripura.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  10. ↑ "Book release and prize distribution function held in Tripura : 25th jan21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  11. ↑ "Symposium on Manipuri literature organised". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  12. ↑ "Symposium on 'Aspects of Manipuri literature' held : 29th jan24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  13. ↑ "MA Manipuri in Meetei Mayek for academic session 2020". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  14. ↑ "MA(Manipuri) in Meetei Mayek : 07th jun20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  15. ↑ "MA Manipuri in Meetei Mayek for academic session 2020". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  16. ↑ "'Replace Bengali script with Meetei Mayek'". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  17. ↑ "MA(Manipuri) in Meetei Mayek : 07th jun20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  18. ↑ Press, Imphal Free (2012-02-21). "Experts mull over ways to preserve and protect local languages – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  19. ↑ Desk, Sentinel Digital (2021-12-23). "Tripura University Proposes Induction Of Diploma Courses In Foreign Language". Sentinel Assam. Retrieved 2024-05-29. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ↑ "Japanese, Korean, Nepali Language Courses To Be Offered At Tripura University". guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  21. ↑ "Award Giving Ceremony of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Tripura held : 15th feb11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  22. ↑ "Award Giving Ceremony of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Tripura held : 15th feb11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  23. ↑ Takhellambam, Rabi (2019-08-18). "Tripura Meiteis living in misery, want Manipur government to look into the matter". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  24. ↑ "Tripura Meiteis living in misery, want Manipur government to look into the matter : 19th aug19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  25. ↑ Devi, R.K. Lilapati. "Marup an Ethnic Minority Newspaper of Tripura: A Journey to Ethnic Society Revivalism". The Journal of North East Indian Cultures.
  26. ↑ "Dr Ranjan calls on Tripura CM". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  27. ↑ "Dr Ranjan calls on Tripura CM : 05th jan20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  28. ↑ "Classic language status for Manipuri demanded".
  29. ↑ Takhellambam, Rabi (2019-08-26). "Manipuris in Tripura observes Manipuri Language Day". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  30. ↑ "Celebration of Manipuri Language Day 2023 At Khowai. - TRIPURA STAR NEWS". 2023-08-20. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  31. ↑ "Manipuri Language Day to be held at Tripura : 19th aug23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  32. ↑ Irom, Bit (2023-12-21). "Tripura's Sorokhaibam Gambhini bags Sahitya Akademi award for Manipuri literature". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  33. ↑ "Tripura poet wins Sahitya Akademi award for Manipuri composition".
  34. ↑ "Sorokhaibam Gambhini to receive Sahitya Academy Award". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  35. ↑ "Manipuri writer Sarita Devi from Tripura takes part in All India Women Writers' meet : 10th mar19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  36. ↑ "Info Itihaser Aloke Tripura Manipur". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-05-29.

Other websites

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Meitei language.
 
The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for: Meitei and Manipuri.
 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide about: Meitei language
 
The English Wikibooks has more information on:
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