Syllabus for Manipuri Literature Optional

 UPSC offers Manipuri as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. Included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, Manipuri is a Tibeto-Burman language used in the state of Manipur in North East India. The syllabus for this subject includes the importance of the Manipuri language, its history, and development as well as its linguistic features. It also includes important works from ancient, medieval, and modern literature. UPSC IAS Mains optional includes two optional papers of 250 marks each.

Section A

Language:

• General characteristics of Manipuri Language and history of its development; its importance and status among the Tibeto-Burman Languages of North-East India; recent development in the study of Manipuri language; evolution and study of old Manipuri script.
• Significant features of Manipuri language:
  • Phonology-Phoneme-vowels, consonants juncture, tone, consonant cluster, and its occurrence, syllable-its structure, pattern, and types.
  • Morphology: Word-class, root and its types; affix and its types; grammatical categories-gender, number, person, case, tense and aspects, process of compounding (samas and sandhi).
  • Syntax: Word order: types of sentences, phrases, and clause structures.

Section B

• Literary History of Manipuri :
  • Early period (up to 17th century)-Social and cultural background; Themes, diction, and style of the works.
  • Medieval period (18th and 19th century)- Social, religious, and political background; Themes, diction, and style of the works.
  • Modern period-Growth of major literary forms; change of Themes, diction, and style.
• Manipuri Folk Literature :
  • Legend, Folktale, Folksong, Ballad, Proverb, and Riddle.
• Aspects of Manipuri Culture :
  • Pre-Hindu Manipuri Faith; Advent of Hinduism and the process of syncretism.
  • Performing arts-Lai Haraoba, Maha Ras; Indigenous games-Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, Kang.

Section A: Old and Medieval Manipuri Literature

• Old Manipuri Literature
  • O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.): Numit Kappa
  • M. Gourachandra Singh (Ed.): Thawanthaba Hiran
  • N. Khelchandra Singh (Ed.): Naothingkhong Phambal Kaba
  • M. Chandra Singh (Ed.): Panthoibi Khonggul
• Medieval Manipuri Literature:
  • M. Chandra Singh (Ed.): Samsok Ngamba
  • R.K.Snahal Singh (Ed.): Ramayana Adi Kanda
  • N. Khelchandra SIngh (Ed.): Dhananjoy Laibu Ningba
  • O. Bhogeswar Singh (Ed.): Chandrakirti Jila Changba

Section B: Modern Manipuri Literature 

• Poetry and Epic :
  • Poetry
    • Manipuri Sheireng (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1988 (ed.)
    • Kh. Chaoba Singh : Pi Thadoi, Lamgi Chekla Amada, Loktak
    • Dr. L. Kamal Singh : Nirjanata, Nirab Rajani
    • Minaketan Singh : Kamalda, Nonggumlakkhoda
    • Samarendra Singh : Ingagi Nong, Mamang Leikai Thambal Satle
    • Nilakanta Singh : Manipur, Lamangnaba
    • Shri Biren : Tangkhul Hui
    • Th. Ibopishak: Anouba Thunglaba Jiba
  • Kanchi Sheireng. (Pub) Manipur University 1998 (ed.)
    • Dr. L. Kamal Singh: Biswa-Prem
    • Shri Biren: Chaphadraba Luigi Yen
    • Th. Ibopishak: Norok Patal Prithivi
• Epic:
  • A. Dorendrajit Singh: Kansa Bodha
  • H. Anganghal Singh: Khamba-Thoibi Sheireng (San-Senba, Lei Langba, Shamu Khonggi Bichar)
• Drama :
  • S. Lalit Singh : Areppa Marup
  • G.C. Tongbra : Matric Pass
  • A. Samarendra: Judge Sahebki Imung
• Novel, Short-story, and Prose :
• Novel :
  • Dr. L. Kamal Singh: Madhabi
  • H. Anganghal Singh : Jahera
  • H. Guno Singh: Laman
  • Pacha Meetei: Imphal Amasung, Magi Ishing, Nungsitki Phibam
• Short-story :
• Kanchi Warimacha (Pub) Manipur University 1997 (ed.)
  • R.K. Shitaljit Singh : Kamala Kamala
  • M.K. Binodini : Eigi Thahoudraba Heitup Lalu
  • Kh. Prakash : Wanom Shareng
• Parishadki Khangatlaba Warimacha (Pub) Manipuri Sahitya Parishad 1994 (ed.)
  • Nilbir Shastri : Loukhatpa
  • R.K. Elangba : Karinunggi
• Anouba Manipuri Warimacha (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (ed.)
  • Kunjamohon Singh : Ijat Tanba
  • Dinamani : Nongthak Khongnang
• “
• Warenggi Saklon [Due Part (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1992 (ed.)
  • Kh. Chaoba Singh : Khamba-Thoibigi Wari Amasung Mahakavya
• Kanchi Wareng (Pub) Manipur University 1998 (ed.)
  • Manisana Shastri : Phajaba
  • Ch. Manohar Singh: Lai-Haraoba
• Apunba Wareng. (Pub) Manipur University, 1986 (ed.)
  • Ch. Pishak Singh : Samaj Amasung, Sanskriti
  • M.K. Binodini : Thoibidu Warouhouida
  • Eric Newton: Kalagi Mahousa (translated by I.R. Babu)
• Manipuri Wareng (Pub) The Cultural Forum Manipur 1999 (ed.)
  • Krishnamohan Singh: Lan