A book with an illustrated collection of retellings from Manipuri mythology, titled as ‘And That is Why...Manipuri Myths Retold’, was released by the titular king of Manipur and MP of the Rajya Sabha Leishemba Sanajaoba at the Palace in Imphal on Wednesday.
The book is written by L Somi Roy and published by Penguin Random House India under the Puffin imprint. The mythological stories in the book are derived from the text - both manuscripts and modern publications - and oral sources. They are gathered chiefly from writer and producer, Thokchom Thouyangba Meitei; pena balladeer and folklorist, M Mangangsana; archivist Chanam Hemchandra, and with additional historical research by Wangam Somorjit.
The 12 tales in the book are illustrated by modern Manipuri artist Sapha Yumnam, based on the traditional art of illustrated Manipuri manuscripts such as the ‘subika’ and ‘khutlou’.
Somi Roy is a cultural conservationist, and translator of the works of his mother, the Manipuri writer MK Binodini Devi. His published translations of Binodini included the historical novel, Boro Saheb Ongi Sanatombi.
Somi Roy is the founder trustee of Imasi, the Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi foundation and the website of the trustee is www.imasi.org. The book can be purchased from Ukiyo Bookstore, Imphal.
