Khamba-Thoibi and Wari Leeba

About Khamba-Thoibi

• Khamba-Thoibi is a classical 11th–12th century romantic epic from the Moirang Shayon cycle, set around Loktak Lake and the Moirang hills in Manipur.
• The story is associated with Meitei community of Manipur (and parts of Tripura).
  • It follows the trials of Khamba (an orphaned poor youth from the Khuman clan raised by his sister Khamnu) and Thoibi (a princess of ancient Moirang).
  • They endure court conspiracies, political opposition, taming a wild bull, and tiger hunts before marrying, ending in a tragic twist where Thoibi accidentally slays a disguised Khamba and dies by suicide. 
• It has been called Manipur’s “national romantic legend” by Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee.
• Khamba and Thoibi has given rise to Moirang sai, a singing traditions that are primarily performed by females. 

About Wari Leeba

• Wari Leeba is a traditional narrative, performance-based oral storytelling art of the Meitei community in Manipur.
• How it is performned: It is usually a formal public performance devoted to the Hindu epics, the Mahabharata or the Ramayana and other religious tales in parts or the entire texts as may be desired by the audience.
  • It contains important and practical knowledge, and age-old wisdom, philosophical and religious ideas from the classical Hindu scriptures, and secular epic poems.
  • Generally, Wari Leeba involves a single performer who integrates character dialogue, rhythmic narration, various dramatic techniques, humour, and exaggeration to bring to life stories and characters in a form of popular entertainment.
  • The performer extends his repertoire by using a pillow that is placed by the side of the performer, left or right, which for the sake of emphasis he will beat many times while narrating his story.
  • Attire: The performer traditionally wears a white pheijom (dhoti) and sacred thread, and sits on a white-clothed seat called Vyasa Asana, symbolising purity and devotion.
• Where it is performed: The performance is usually carried out in a mandap or hall which is built for performing cultural as well as religious activities weddings, Shumang-Lila, Nata-Sankirtan and so on.
• Storytelling Technique: The narrator uses expressive facial movements, hand gestures, body language and voice modulation to bring the stories alive and evoke emotions such as joy, sorrow and devotion among listeners.
  • The success of Wari-Leeba lies in the performer’s ability to evoke Rasa (aesthetic emotions) and deeply engage the audience.