this is a poem in two parts.
but let me first explain about khongjam day. the british had established suzerainty over manipur but the people were not reconciled to them. in 1891, there was an attempt to throw out the yoke. it did not succeed but one incident stands out. the manipuri general paona brijbasi, with a handful of soldiers and less of ammunition sought to stop the english from marching on to the capital from the south. the day of his sacrifice is remembered as khongjam day. the first part is a tribute to his courage.
the second part is on different line. after the elections in year 1995, congress cam to power, never mind how, but there were two claimants kieshing ex CM who was a naga and a meitei (meitei - the palin people of manipur are in majority forming almost 70 % of the population). how the situation was resolved is described. the idiom chosen is the same as for the first part to show the contrast..
this period poem might have been enjoyed at that particular time by those who followed the game but still i am putting it here in the hope that it captures some of the state of affairs then.
so here are the poems.
Khongjom day
It was eighteen ninety one, honour of meitei is provoked
The people are mocked, a puppet wears the crown
Honour of kingdom is threatened, fools are promoted
The hero is shunned, ignominies are for the devoted
Never can this challenge be let go without resistance
No chance to call on friends and get any assistance
The British came as helpers, they are now the masters
Ambitions are thwarted, what can be greater disasters
The banner of revolt is raised, on with the fight
The Maharaja runs away to residency in fright
Yuvaraja becomes the raja, senapati the yuvraj
All is once again hunky dory in the meitei raj
The good times lasted a while, British got fright
How could they tolerate a challenge to their might
Chief Commissioner came to bring things under control
Arrest by deceit was considered to be the best way out
But the lion would not walk into the trap, being warned
They came to the palace to seize him with force of arms
Adventure, however, turns into defeat and disaster
The officers are murdered, the soldiers are scattered
No doubt it is a shameful blow to the British rule
Some thing has to be done to avenge the ridicule
Columns march onto the capital from three sides
The heroes consider moves on how best to fight
While they are thinking, alien armies are on march
They are at the door, meitei could not send the arms
But still the flame of freedom burns tall and bright
Outnumbered, without arms, they keep up the fight
At Khongjom, Paona Brijbasi defends position with his life
He is cut down as are others in this one sided strife
The capital falls, raja and yuvraj are captured
They are hanged and Manipur is conquered
But Paona Brijbasi and his heroes live on for ever
No force could subdue them or their fervour
Every year we meet to remember their deeds and lives
Pay our homage at this sacred place of sacrifice.
Khongjam, April 23, 1995
Meitei honour
Another time, another battle, meitei honour is again provoked
An outsider has come and has laid claim to the throne,
Our right to rule is challenged, our number is mocked
Our existence is threatened, we are totally shocked
Never can this challenge be let go without resistance
There are no friends to call and get their assistance
Those who were the helpers now seek to be the masters
Ambitions are thwarted, what can be greater disasters
The banner of revolt is raised, on with the fight
Resignation is sent, daring them to accept it if they might
We shall not rest till we get what is our rightful right
Howsoever long we may have to continue the fight
The revolt lasted for a while, every one was afraid
Opponents will surely benefit if the situation escalates
Pilot, the trouble-shooter, came to control the game
In this wile game his was reputed to be the wilest name
Quickly he assuaged the feelings, doused the flames
And in meitei land things were once again the same
Honour was restored, defeated was the plot sinister
Food was added to finance as became Deputy Chief Minister
Once again full marks for the meitei honour
Long live the glory of this modern valour.
Imphal, April 30,1995
(This poem has to be read with the earlier on 'Khongjam Day'. In fact some of the lines are repeated, deliberately, to bring out the contast.