PXylem

Kailashahar, Tripura ,INDIA

Language, culture and literature - these three are the essence to mankind. The co-coordinated developments of these three characteristics are the determinants of progress for any community. It is a truth a community which has lost its culture and civilization exists like a dying or withering entity. Hence, culture and literature both together is like a soul to a community.

Language is the carrier of culture and civilization of the men. Language is an inborn acquisition to the men. Language is so natural which seems as autonomous faculty like the movement or respiration. The social temperament sprouted in the primitive men through the language, this temperament or trend expanded in different way in different direction and restored the primitive men rational and reflective.

There is a Bishnupriya Manipuri language in India which belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of language. Its structure and grammar follows the system of Sanskrit and Hindi. The initial form of this language, according to Dr. K.P.Sinha is found in a rain invoking song of 1515 A.D. But a comprehensive grammar of the language is yet to be composed.
About the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, it is a language talked by a community called Bishnupriya Manipuri.

The beautiful and delicate form that emerges on the refinement of physical life is called culture. Thought, idea, art and literature, religion, entertainment etc. of the human being are manifestation of the culture. The social life is one of the means to make man's spiritual nature towards betterment. It is closely related with the social system. The culture of Bishnupriya Manipuri community is based on spiritualism.

The Bishnupriya Manipuri embraced Chaitanyaite Baishnavism in the 18th century. Since, the initiation to Baishnavism the Bishnupriya Manipuri was influenced enormously by the Baishnavic philosophy and thought. This community has considered the Baishnavic scriptures as a means for liberation and accepted it as stair for attainment of devotion to Hari.

Probably for this reason Rasa Lila (sports of Lord Krishna with gopies, samkirtan, rakhal dance etc.) has got pivot role as a form of classical dance. There are certain very valuable and praiseworthy customs and traditions in the Bishnupriya Manipuri society. We may mention about the absence of any caste system. There are only one or two Brahmin families in a village who act as the priest in the village and perform all rituals and pujas, remaining all others are Kshatriyas.

Secondly, the Bishnupriya Manipuri does not practice dowry system which is a very significant aspect in India. Thirdly, there exists a bond of unity and fellow-feeling. For instance, when death occurs in any family of the village, it is expected that at least one male member from each household shall attend the funeral. Each family also shall have to contribute a fixed amount for performance of the rituals. Such community assistance is very helpful for the poor families in distress.

Fourthly, the aged and the superiors are always respected and given preferences in social receptions and gatherings irrespective of their economic, educational or administrative position.

Besides these, below are some of the notable common cultural features of the Bishnupriya Manipuri –

1. Avoidance of non-veg food i.e fish and flesh in rituals.

2. Wearing of garlands made of tulsi (basil) beads / wooden apple.

3. Use of tilaka is an auspicious occasion is applied at ajna chakra- the space between the two eye brows at the space of third eye.

4. To lie down in bed with head either towards the east or south.

5. Compulsory initiation irrespective of male and female.

6. Ban on shradha on the day of eleventh moon or ekadasi.

7. Planting and worship of tulsi (basil).

No human society exists without believing in super natural entities like God. The BPM community is also not an exception. The religious believes and practices which find place in the socio-religio-cultural life of the Bishnupriya Manipuri is undoubtedly derived from the Gaudiya Baishnavism which essentially saturated with the tenets of Srimadbhagavatam and other Goswami works.

Bishnupriya Manipuri which is a minority community having no home land is known to the multi cultural people in India alone for its culture

By- Remuna Sinha.( Rini )

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