Historic Meetei Mayek Books Released as Bangladesh Marks Manipuri Language Day
Lakhipuronline Digital Desk, September 7: In a proud moment for the Manipuri community living across the border, Bangladesh recently witnessed a major push to protect and promote the Manipuri mother tongue. On September 4, writers, language experts, and government officials gathered at the Manipuri Cultural Complex in Tetaigoan, Adampur Bazar, to celebrate Manipuri Language Day. The event was marked by the release of groundbreaking books, student competitions, and a strong call to include the native script in local primary schools.
The gathering was organized by the Manipuri Bhasha Gobeshona O Unnoyon Sangstha, Bangladesh, in close partnership with the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) in Dhaka and ten other local groups. The presence of top IMLI officials showed growing administrative support for preserving minority languages in the region.
A Deep Rooted History in Bangladesh
According to historical records, the Manipuri diaspora in the Sylhet and Moulvibazar regions of Bangladesh dates back centuries. Many families settled there during the painful period known as the Seven Years Devastation in the early 19th century, as well as through earlier royal family alliances. Living far from their ancestral home in Northeast India, these communities have worked hard to keep their traditions, dance forms, and language alive for generations.
Usually, Manipuri literature in Bangladesh has been written using the Bengali script. However, a fresh movement is now taking place to bring back the original Meetei Mayek script. Teaching this native alphabet to the younger generation is seen as the ultimate step in bridging the cultural gap between Manipur and the diaspora.
High Praise from Language Experts
The chief guest of the event, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Ashaduzzaman, Director of the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI), Dhaka, spoke highly of the community's efforts. He pointed out that Manipuri art and dance are loved by people all over the world, and the language itself holds a very high standard.
"The Manipuri language, literature, and culture have reached a very high level today. It is the duty of the Manipuri people to protect it carefully. I feel very happy to participate in this Manipuri Language Day," Dr. Ashaduzzaman stated.
He also noted how glad he was to see young children taking part in a Meetei Mayek writing competition during the event. He assured the community that IMLI is ready to help promote the language, and he encouraged local leaders to reach out to the institute for support in getting the script taught at the primary school level in Bangladesh.
Historic Book Releases
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the release of two important books, marking a new chapter in the region's literary history. Both books were published by Rakesh Naorem, Secretary of the Patriotic Writers Forum Manipur, who attended as a special guest.
- A Milestone in Meetei Mayek: The first release was a combined volume of three books written by AK Seram, a pioneer Manipuri writer in Bangladesh. Titled "Basanta Kunnipalgi Leirang, Lammangnaba Amadi Nongoubi," this text was transcribed entirely into the Meetei Mayek script by Rakesh Naorem. According to local literary circles, this is the very first time a full book completely in the Meetei Mayek script has been published in Bangladesh.
- Stories Crossing Borders: The second book, titled "Sanarik Pareng," is a collection of 17 short stories written by the well-known author RK Nayansana Devi. To reach a wider audience, the book was carefully translated into English by scholar Sansam Umananda.
Speaking at the event, Rakesh Naorem expressed his joy at seeing the native script take root in Bangladesh. "It feels great to publish a book fully in Meetei Mayek here for the first time," he said. He credited the teachers from MEELAL (a language group from Manipur) who travel to Bangladesh to teach the script. Naorem stressed that for the language to truly grow in Bangladesh, it must be introduced to students in primary schools.
Community Leaders Look to the Future
AK Sheram, who also serves as the President of the Manipuri Bhasha Gobeshona O Unnoyon Songstha, presided over the function. He spoke with a lot of emotion about the lifelong task of protecting the mother tongue.
"Manipuri is our mother tongue, and with the thought of nursing it, we have been constantly writing and publishing books and journals in Bangladesh," Seram explained.
He shared his deep happiness at seeing elderly people and young children alike learning the script from the visiting MEELAL teachers. He called on everyone present to work together to protect their native identity. Mr. Abul Kalam, Additional Director of IMLI, also joined the stage as a special guest to show his support for these grassroots educational efforts.
The day was not just about speeches and books. To prove that the culture is very much alive, 43 students tested their skills in a Meetei Mayek writing competition. Later in the day, the crowd was treated to special cultural performances by local artists. Traditional Pena music, energetic Thang-Ta martial arts displays, and beautiful folk dances filled the auditorium, wrapping up a day that will be remembered as a major step forward for the Manipuri community in Bangladesh.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team
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