View source for Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi

{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Infobox folk tale
|Folk_Tale_Name = The story of ''Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi'' <br /> ({{lang-mni|Kadeng-Tonu}})
|Image_Name     = Meitei and Latin transliterations of "Kadeng Thangjahanba" and "Tonu Laijinglembi".jpg
|Image_Caption  = [[Meitei script|Meitei]] and [[Latin transliteration]]s of "Kadeng Thangjahanba" and "Tonu Laijinglembi"
|Aarne-Thompson Grouping       = no
|AKA            =
* Kadeng Thangja Hanba & Tonu Laijing Lembi 
* Kateng Thangchahanpa & Tonu Laichinglempi 
* Kateng Thangcha Hanpa & Tonu Laiching Lempi
|Mythology      = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]]) 
|Country        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Manipur (stripes variant).svg}} [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (historical) <br /> {{IND}} (present)
|Region         = [[Moirang]], [[Manipur]]
|Origin_Date    = During the reign of [[Moilang]] king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD)
|Published_In   = 
|Related        = [[Meitei folklore]] ([[Manipuri folklore]]), <br /> [[Meitei literature]] ([[Manipuri literature]])
}}
{{Meitei mythology}}
The ancient legend of '''Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi''' ({{lang-mni|Kadeng-Tonu}}) is one of the [[epic cycles of incarnations]] of [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]], that is originated from [[Moirang]] kingdom{{efn|[[Moirang]] was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called [[Manipur Kingdom]].}} of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]). It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba ({{lang-omp|Kateng Thangchahanpa}}), a skilled [[blacksmith]], for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi ({{lang-omp|Tonu Laichinglempi}}).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Oinam |first1=Bhagat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X31aDwAAQBAJ&q=seven+cycles+Kadeng+Thangjahanba+%28hero%29+and+Tonu+Laijinglembi+%28heroine%29&pg=PT236 |title=Northeast India: A Reader |last2=Sadokpam |first2=Dhiren A. |date=2018-05-11 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-429-95320-0 |pages=236 |language=en |quote=Apart from several other works based on the theme of love, mention may be made of the literature coming from the Moirang region of Manipur. A civilization situated on the magnificent Loktak Lake, the culture of the Moirang clan has been noted. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or ages. The seven cycles are Akongjamba (hero) and Phouoibi (heroine); Henjunaha (hero) and Leima Lairuklembi (heroine); Khuyol Haoba (hero) and Yaithing Konu (heroine); Kadeng Thangjahanba (hero) and Tonu Laijinglembi (heroine); Ura Naha ...}}</ref> 
Kadeng Thangjahanba was a highly talented and skilful royal chief [[metalsmith]] appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba ({{lang-omp|Laiching Ningthou Punsipa}}) of [[Moirang]]. Tonu Laijinglembi was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa ({{lang-omp|Laiching Lakpa}}), a favourite [[nobleman]] of the King of [[Moirang]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bormani |first=Sarangthem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465120/page/n549/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Moirang Shaion |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=2003 |publisher=Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2003 |location=India |pages=550–590 |language=mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Love_Story_of_Tonu_Laijing_Lembi_A_Scientific_Perspective_By_Raghu_Ningthoujam |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66, 67 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Boamani Singh |first=Sarangthem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.310082/page/n1/mode/2up |title=Tonu Laijinglembi |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=1994 |publisher=Sarangthem Bormani Singh; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1994 |location=India |pages=2 |language=mni }}</ref>

== History ==
Tonu Laijing Lembi & Kadeng Thangja Hanba are real historical figures who lived in the 12th century during the reign of [[Moilang]] king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD) of [[Moirang]] kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Love_Story_of_Tonu_Laijing_Lembi_A_Scientific_Perspective_By_Raghu_Ningthoujam |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Event and Achievement Part 3 Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 12 |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Event_and_Achievement_Part_3_Moirang_and_Ebuthou_Thangjing_Part_12 |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net |quote=PURIKLAI LAIJING PUNSIBA (1138-1210) He was the 33rd King of Moirang and during his long period of 70 years rule, two remarkable love stories of Salwon and Langwon of Moirang Kangleirol series, were witnessed one was the 8th and tragedy story of 'Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijinglembi'- and the other was the 9th in the series, Khongjomba-Pidongnu - of Moirang Sheisaklon series.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=manipur channel >>Moirang Kangleirol ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur |url=http://e-pao.net/epPrinter.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Salwons_And_Langwons_Moirang_and_Ebuthou_Thangjing_Part_9 |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net |quote=Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (AD 1138-1210) Kadeng Thangja Hanba - Tonu Laijinglembi}}</ref>
== Mythology ==
God [[Thangching]] ([[Thangjing]]) blessed [[Henjunaha and Lairoulembi]] to be reborn as Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijing Lembi. Writers and ballad singers of olden times wove the two stories of different lovers, thereby creating a classic tale of love and longing in [[Meitei literature]] ([[Manipuri literature]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Henjunaha masculinity redefined By Rubani Yumkhaibam |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Spotlight_On_Women.Henjunaha_masculinity_redefined_By_Rubani_Yumkhaibam |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net |quote=Lord Thangjing and his consort bless Henjunaha/Lairoulembi to be reincarnated into another lore of romance in the figure of Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijing Lembi, a classic tale of love and longing in the Manipuri literature. Henjunaha and Lairoulembi are the cycle of regeneration and rebirth.}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Kadeng Thangjahanba had no match for the art of [[blacksmithing]], due to which he earned the favour of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba of [[Moirang]] kingdom. He was appointed as the royal chief blacksmith by the ruler.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Love_Story_of_Tonu_Laijing_Lembi_A_Scientific_Perspective_By_Raghu_Ningthoujam |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bormani |first=Sarangthem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465120/page/n549/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Moirang Shaion |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=2003 |publisher=Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2003 |location=India |pages=550–590 |language=mni}}</ref>
At the same time, Kadeng Thangjahanba was having a [[romantic affair]] with lady Tonu Laijinglembi.
As per the ancient traditional customs of [[Moirang]], Kadeng Thangjahanba was given the duty to go to a hunting expedition to get a number of wild animals from the woods for the annual festival in Moirang. And so, Kadeng Thangjahanba left for the expedition to the woods for many months. 
On the other hand, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, having no son to succeed him, was very upset. And so, the king consulted the royal high priest. The priest suggested that the male heir could be achieved only if the king married a lady of the King's [[namesake]]. 
Immediately, the king sent his men to find out the ladies in his kingdom, who had similar name to his. 
The king's men found only one lady in the [[Moirang]] kingdom, and she was Tonu Laijinglembi. Lady Tonu Laijinglembi's name has the word "Laijing" which is similar to King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba's "Laijing". 
And so, during the absence of Kadeng Thangjahanba, Tonu Laijinglembi and King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba got married. During that time, Tonu Laijinglembi was reluctant but could not deny the royal proposal for the wedding. 
As time passed, Kadeng Thangjahanba returned from his months long hunting expedition. He was shocked to hear the news of his lover getting married. He could do nothing but to weep his heart out silently. 
Kadeng Thangjahanba crafted two beautiful swords. On the side of one sword, the images of Tonu and himself were engraved. On the other side of the sword, the images of Tonu as the young queen and King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba were engraved. Kadeng Thangjahanba presented the swords to the king as gifts. 
Initially, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba could not understand the meaning of the code images. 
On the other side, Kadeng Thangjahanba got extremely careless of his health, thereby falling seriously ill. He could no longer attend the royal works in the palace. 
The King, being a well wisher and an admirer of Kadeng Thangjahanba, felt deeply concerned about the latter's deteriorating health conditions. Among everyone, Tonu Laijinglembi's grief knew no bounds. Seeing all these, the king realised the meaning of the code images engraved in those swords. Without any hesitation, King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba generously sent Tonu Laijinglembi to the house of Kadeng Thangjahanba.
However, Tonu Laijinglembi was already carrying a child of the king in her womb for some months, when she came to Kadeng Thangjahanba's house.
Defying all the odds, the two lovers finally united and live happily ever after.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=67 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Story of Tonu Laijing Lembi A Scientific Perspective By Raghu Ningthoujam |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Love_Story_of_Tonu_Laijing_Lembi_A_Scientific_Perspective_By_Raghu_Ningthoujam |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bormani |first=Sarangthem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465120/page/n549/mode/2up?view=theater |title=Moirang Shaion |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=2003 |publisher=Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2003 |location=India |pages=550–590 |language=mni}}</ref>

== Accounts for Sangai deer ==
{{See|Sangai}}
[[File:Cervus eldii4.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[Sangai]] ({{langnf|2=Meitei|3=[[Cervus eldi eldi]]}}) deer]]
During his hunting expedition, Kadeng Thangjahanba captured and brought a lovely [[Sangai]] deer from a place called "Torbung Lamjao" to be presented as a token of love to his lover, Lady Tonu Laijinglembi. 
However, when he found out that his beloved lady was already married to King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba, all his hopes of their happy union were shattered away. And so, with the sorrowful feelings for the pangs of separation, he released the deer in the wild of the Keibul Lamjao (present day [[Keibul Lamjao National Park]] area). Since then, Sangai species started living in the Keibul Lamjao region according to folklore.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-01 |title=State Animal Sangai |url=http://environmentmanipur.com/State%20Animal%20Sangai.html |access-date=2022-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232639/http://environmentmanipur.com/State%20Animal%20Sangai.html |archive-date=2014-02-01 |quote=Sangai is a glittering gem in the rich cultural heritage of Kangleipak (Manipur). It is said that a legendary hero Kadeng Thangjahanba of Moirang once captured a gravid Sangai from Torbung Lamjao for a loving gift to his beloved Tonu Laijinglembi. But as ill luck would have it, he found his beloved to be at the palace of the king as his spouse and, as such, all his hopes were shattered. In desperation, the hero released the deer free in the wild of Keibul Lamjao and from that time onwards the place became the home of Sangai.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Khaute |first=Lallian Mang |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e3X9zkP5jKUC&dq=Tonu+Laijinglembi&pg=PA55 |title=The Sangai: The Pride of Manipur |date=2010 |publisher= |isbn=978-81-7835-772-0 |pages=55 |language=en}}</ref>

== In contemporary art and culture ==
; Tonu Laijinglembi (2014) : It is a drama written by Sarangthem Bormani and directed by B Jugolchandra, shown on 22 March 2014, organised by the Manipur Dramatic Union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Imphal Free |title=MDU drama festival from March 21 – KanglaOnline |url=http://kanglaonline.com/2014/03/mdu-drama-festival-from-march-21/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>
; Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol (2018) : The [[Meitei Mayek]] edition of the book "Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol" written by Hijam Guno, was released on 28 April 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Literary books in Meitei Mayek released : 29th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=19..290418.apr18 |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Literary books in Meitei Mayek released – Manipur News |url=http://www.manipur.org/news/2018/04/28/literary-books-in-meitei-mayek-released/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>
; Tonu Laijinglembi (2018) : A drama based on the character of the same name, directed by L Bikram of the "Aryan Theatre, Imphal", was released on 30th March 2018 during the 6th All Manipur Folk Drama Festival in [[Imphal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NE NOW |date=2018-03-26 |title=Manipur Folk Drama Festival kicks off in Imphal |url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-folk-drama-festival-kicks-off-imphal.html |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=NORTHEAST NOW |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Akongjamba]] and [[Phouoibi]]
* [[Henjunaha and Lairoulembi]]
* [[Khamba Thoibi|Khamba and Thoibi]]
* [[Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu]]

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Nabadipchandra Singh |first=Hawaibam |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467151 |title=Tonu Laijing Lembi Kavya |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=1983 |work=Works of Manipuri Naharol Sahitya Sabha |publisher=Manipuri Naharol Sahitya Sabha, [[Imphal]]; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1983 |location=India |language=mni}}
* {{Cite book |last=Meitei |first=Mayanglambam Mangangsana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7E2EAAAQBAJ&dq=Tonu+Laijinglembi&pg=PA85 |title=The Sound of Pena in Manipur |date=2021-06-06 |publisher=Marjing Mayanglambam |isbn=978-93-5473-655-1 |pages=85 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&dq=Tonu+Laijinglembi&pg=PA243 |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo |date=1987 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |isbn=978-81-260-1803-1 |location=India |pages=243 |language=en |author-link=Amaresh Datta}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bormani Singh |first=Saranghtem |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.267387 |title=Tonu Laijinglembi |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |date=2003 |publisher=Shr. Shri. Gouranga Press, Kha Imphal Keisham Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2003 |location=India |language=mni}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lisam |first=Khomdan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6d-IyINtk4C&dq=Tonu+Laijinglembi&pg=PA588 |title=Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.) |date=2011 |publisher= |isbn=978-81-7835-864-2 |pages=588 |language=en}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Kadeng+Thangjahanba&sa.x=29&sa.y=14 Kadeng Thangjahanba (Kadeng Thangja Hanba)] at {{URL|e-pao.net}}
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Kadeng%20Thangjahanba&sin=TXT Kadeng Thangjahanba] at [[Internet Archive]] (text contents search) 
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Tonu+Laijinglembi&sa.x=0&sa.y=0&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fe-pao.net%2F%3Ffrom%3Dmobile Tonu Laijinglembi (Tonu Laijing Lembi)] at {{URL|e-pao.net}}
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Tonu+Laijinglembi Tonu Laijinglembi] at [[Internet Archive]] (metadata search) 
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Tonu%20Laijinglembi&sin=TXT Tonu Laijinglembi] at [[Internet Archive]] (text contents search) 
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Tonu%20Laijing%20Lembi&sin=TXT Tonu Laijing Lembi] at [[Internet Archive]] (text contents search)

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[[Category:Epic cycles of incarnations]]
[[Category:Love stories]]
[[Category:Marriage and religion]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Temporary marriages]]