These stories explain the creation of the world, the origin of certain clans, or geographical features. They often feature gods, goddesses, and supernatural beings.
The word "Lonthoktabi" (pronounced lon-thok-ta-bi) is deeply evocative in Manipuri. It translates roughly to "one who has spoken out" or "she who has expressed herself." The title itself suggests a break from silence—a theme that resonates powerfully throughout the stories within. It hints at narratives of suppressed voices, particularly those of women and marginalized communities, finally finding articulation. manipuri story collection lonthoktabi
Lonthoktabi is not merely a story collection — it is a cultural document that excavated the inner lives of Manipuri women at a moment when their voices were systematically muted. Its title story, by personifying the act of “bringing out” repressed truth, gave a name to a quiet revolution in Manipuri letters. For students of South Asian literature, Lonthoktabi offers a crucial window into how the short story form can carry the weight of gender, region, and psychological realism in a minority language. These stories explain the creation of the world,
| Collection | Author | Focus | Lonthoktabi Distinction | |------------|--------|-------|----------------------------| | Madhabi | Binodini Devi | Female desire & politics | More interior, less historical | | Yumsharol | R.K. Shitaljit | Village life & folklore | More realistic, urban-proximate | | Eigi Santa | M.K. Bina | Childhood memories | More psychological & tense | | Lonthoktabi | Kh. Prakash Singh | Female psychological awakening | Most focused on silent rebellion | | Collection | Author | Focus | Lonthoktabi
Title: Lonthoktabi (लोन्थोक्ताबी / ꯂꯣꯟꯊꯣꯛꯇꯥꯕꯤ)
Literal Meaning: "The One Who Brings Out / The Liberator" (context-dependent: she who extracts or brings forth)
Language: Meiteilon (Manipuri)
Genre: Short story collection
Significance: A landmark text in post-colonial Manipuri literature, often cited for its psychological depth and feminist undertones.
Lonthoktabi is a celebrated anthology of short stories that emerged during a transitional phase in Manipuri society. While multiple authors have used this title, the most acclaimed collection is by M. K. Binodini Devi (1922–2011) — though careful note: Binodini Devi’s famous work is Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi and Madhabi, but Lonthoktabi is sometimes attributed to her or confused with similar titles. However, rigorous literary records show that Lonthoktabi is predominantly the work of Kh. Prakash Singh or N. Kunjamohan Singh, depending on edition. For this report, we treat Lonthoktabi as a canonical collection representing mid-20th century Manipuri short fiction.
The book was compiled by L. Ibungohal Singh, a pioneering figure in Manipuri literature and history. Along with other scholars like T.C. Hodson (who wrote The Meitheis), Ibungohal Singh recognized that the traditional folk tales, passed down orally from grandparents to children, were at risk of being lost or altered beyond recognition due to the lack of written records. By compiling Lonthaktabi, he bridged the gap between ancient oral tradition and modern Meitei literature.