Manipuri Story Collection Lonthoktabi

The book was compiled by L. Ibungohal Singh, a pioneering figure in Manipuri literature and history. Along with other scholars like T.C. Hodson (who wrote The Meitheis), Ibungohal Singh recognized that the traditional folk tales, passed down orally from grandparents to children, were at risk of being lost or altered beyond recognition due to the lack of written records. By compiling Lonthaktabi, he bridged the gap between ancient oral tradition and modern Meitei literature.

The eponymous story centers on Thabaton, a young wife in a conservative Meitei household. She is expected to be silent, accommodating, and self-effacing. Her mother-in-law constantly taunts her, and her husband is indifferent. One day, a traveling woman storyteller (a phamal) visits the village. The storyteller’s boldness awakens something in Thabaton. manipuri story collection lonthoktabi

In a quiet, powerful climax, Thabaton refuses to cook for the family without acknowledgment of her labor — a radical act in that context. She “brings out” (lonthok) her suppressed anger and demands to be seen. The story ends not with a dramatic escape but with a quiet assertion: she speaks her name aloud to herself, reclaiming identity. The book was compiled by L

Symbolism:

Preservation of Language: Lonthoktabi is crucial for the preservation of the Manipuri (Meiteilon) language. It captures the purity of old Manipuri vocabulary, idioms, and sentence structures that might otherwise have vanished. It serves as a reference point for linguists and writers today. Hodson (who wrote The Meitheis ), Ibungohal Singh

Societal Reflection: The stories offer a window into pre-colonial and early colonial Meitei society. They reveal the social hierarchy, the relationship between humans and nature (specifically the forest), and the indigenous religious beliefs (Sanamahism) practiced before the widespread adoption of Hinduism.

Influence on Modern Media: Many modern Manipuri films, plays (Sumang Leela), and novels draw their plots directly from the stories preserved in Lonthoktabi. It remains a primary source material for creative artists in the state.