A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works

Book excerpt: This book deals with the huge development of Arts and literary works during the time of King Kiyamba’s rule till King Chandrakriti (A.D. 1467-1886) in Manipur. The interesting fact is that Manipur witnessed its own two millennia old cultural framework through well developed literary language, rich cultural heritage, customs and traditions, rites and rituals which provides a living testimony to its birth and rise of Meetei civilization. Though, the Manipuris settling both in the hills and the plains speak different diverse sub-branches of the Tibeto-Burman language, the present Manipuri language which is evolved out of the early traditional Meetei language, becomes the lingua franca of the different groups.