10 GREAT BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURIS
by Ashim Kumar Singha
1.Gitiswami Gokulananda
Foremost among the earlier poets is of course Gitiswami
Gokulananda who traversed the whole of Bishnupriya-speaking
region - singing with a missionary fervour of the ills of
our society and their remedies His performance was mostly
dramatic, the follies and foibles of our people were their
by holdup to ridicule. He denounced especially the vice of
imitation It may be mentioned here that his role is
comparable-.to that of Mukundadas in Bengal who flourished
during the glorious years of national resurgence and stirred
the hearts of millions with his powerful songs Though his
sphere of activity was limited in sense , he must have come
under the turbulence of the times and he appeared to have
wider sympathies.
His measure of success can be guessed from the endearing
title "Gitiswami" bestowed on him He was indeed the master
of lyricism in our language ;his song immortalizing Mother
Bishnupriya shows him as a man at the height of attachment
to his community. What is more, he did much for the awaking
of our social conscience through his dramatic performances
and other works.
2. Mohendra Kumar Singha
Mohendra Kumar singha of Silchar was renowned historian and
social worker of Bishnupriya manipuri community. He was the
editor of journal Mekhalee(1933). One of his great work is
the history of manipur, i.e, Prachin Manipurer Itihaas.
3. Leikhomsena Sinha
Next , the name of the noted dramatist Leikhomsena Sinha
from Singari near Silchar , late lamented father of Guru
Bipin Sinha the ereat exponent of Manipuri dance.
Leikhomsena singha was the author of a drama entitled
Manipur Bijoy.
4. Madan Mohan Sharma
Madan Mohan Sharma of Sanicchara was one the four main
writers of early modern Bishnupriya Manipuri Literature.
Madan Mohan Sharma was the author of a number of Kiratana-type
works namely, Balipinda,Harischandra, Subal Milan, Tilottoma,
Basak, Sudama Bipra etc.
5. Amusena Singha
Amusena Sinha of Cipersangan was also one the four main
writers of early modern Bishnupriya Manipuri
Literature.Amusena sinha wrote a number of Kirtana-type
works based on Ramayana, namely, Angada Raybar, Saktisel,
Taranisen Badh, Nagapas, Mahiravan Badh etc.
6. Jagat Mohan Singha
Jagat Mohan Singha is a great leader, social worker and also
a writer of Bishnupriya Manipuri Community. He was the
President of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha. He
played active rule in the language movement demanding the
recognition of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language.
7. Shahid Sudeshna Sinha
Bhasa Shahid. During a 501-hour Rail and Road blockade
programme by Bishnupriya Manipuri Student Union for the
demand of recognition of the Bishnupriya Manipuri Language,
Sudeshna Singha (Bulu) laid down her life. She is the only
women in human history who sacrificed her life for her
mother tongue.
8. Shahid Rajbabu Singha
Bhasa Shahid. The first Bhasa Shahid who sacrificed his life
for his mother tounge during Language movement for
recognition of BM Language in Barak Valley.
9. Guru Bipin Singha
Guru Bipin Singha may rightly called the " Father of
Manipuri Dance and style". He was awarded with a number of
the prestigious titles like Bharat Ratna, kalidas etc. He
has the past four decades with his disciplines - the Javery
sisters -has contributed a great deal in the field of
Manipuri dance and culture. In Bombay the famous performers
and teachers are the Jhaveri sisters - Nayana,Suverna,
Darshana and Ranjana Jahveri. They continue this tradition
at their institution 'Manipuri Nartanalaya. Guru Bipin
Singha is one of these artists who have spread the beauty
of Manipuri dance all over the world and have been honored
both nationally and internationally on this subject.
10. Sri Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur
Bishnupriya Manipuris , as already pointed out, are of a
devout nature belonging to the Gaudiya Vaishnava sect . Sri
Bhubaneshwar Sadhu Thakur bom at Baropoa (now renamed
Bhubaneshwar Nagar) in Cachar has, so to say saved the
people from spiritual degeneration owing to abject poverty.
They have learnt from him to live honestly and peaceably
with what little they have. No wonder they look upon him as
their saviour . The temple -of SriGovinda , popularly known
as "Govindabari " at Nabadwip in West Bengal is a veritable
abode of peace for the devotees.
May 04,2003. Dhaka
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