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History
Tripura,thelandofHistory
Mythology
Ancient
Rajmala
FOLKLORESKERENGKOTHOMA
EnglishPeriod
Theword'folk'(orfoleinoldEnglishandfolkinGerman)meansanationorpeople,usuallycommonpeople.
PostIndependence
Folktalesare,therefore,popularstorieshandeddownbyoraltraditionfromsomeremoteantiquity.
Modern
Heritages
Indiaoccupiesanimportantplaceinthehistoryofthefolkloreworld.Infact,sheisconsideredtobeoneofthe
People fountainheadsoffablesandfiction,fortheRigVedaisregardedastheoldestliteratureinwhichwefindthe
Tripuris earliestspecimensoffolksongsandballads.TheVedicAkhyanasarefulloffolktales.TheAtharvavedaisthe
Indigenous storehouse of folk beliefs, incantations, rites and rituals of man. Side by side with the highest doctrines of
NonTripuris religion, philosophy and ethics and with the subtlest calculations of astronomy and astrology, the Sanskrit
Immigrants languagealsoprovidesrichfolkloreforamusementaswellasforinstruction.IftheRigvedaistheoldestknown
Mythology treatiseintheworld,thePanchatantraandtheHitopadeshaaretheoldestknownbooksoffables.Theseapart,
onefindsaninexhaustiblesourceoffolktalesinthetwogreatepicstheRaniayanaandtheMahabharata.
The14Gods
Goria Folktalesareaninvitationtostudytheancientcustoms,notions,beliefs,traditions,superstitionsandprejudices
Mata ofthecommonpeoplepeoplelivingoutsidethesphereofsophisticatedinfluence.Folktalesalsobroadlysuggest
BoroKwina acertainsociopoliticalorganisationwhich,thepeoplebelieveorwouldliketobelieve,helditsswayinthepast.
Religion Although the tales do not have any scientific grounding and consist apparently of faiths and pseudo beliefs,
UniverseCreation customs and traditions, they do depict a broad area of culture of the people. The progress of science and
LifeinEarth technologyandthescientificexplanationsofhithertoinexplicablephenomenahavenotlessenedthetraditional
Shiva charmandfascinationof the fairy tales. One does not lose interest even by repetitive recitals of thesameold
SubraiKhung story,for,afterall,thefolktalesandfableshaveapeculiarpotencytosatisfyone'scuriosityaboutthesecretof
Tripureswari nature'sworkingthroughthemediumofdelightfulstories.
Goria
Dungur Evenapartfromdealingwithvariousproblemsandaspectsofhumanlife,socialcustomsandtraditions,beliefs
Kharchi (omen and superstition), taboos and sanctions etc, the folk tales (like folk songs) also serve the purpose of
Ker recreationandentertainmenttoprovidethepeoplewithavarietyofknowledge.Theproseversionsofsomefolk
Hojagiri songsalsocarrythemessageoftheveritiesoflifetheysuggesttheneedfortactandwisdomandcertainideals
Hangrai in family and social life. There are some folk tales in Tripura which can easily be elevated to the rank of
Buisu literature, for they convey that unique sense of intraand interfamily love and conflict, feud and romance,
loyalty and betrayal that characterise a classic. The characters in such folk tales include both animate and
Society
inanimate objects. Stones, trees, creepers, angels, gods and goddesses, sages, rivers, river gods, clouds and
BabaGoriaMission lightning,etc.rubshoulderswithoneanotherinthegivenframeworkofamutualityofrelations.Someofthe
ShantiKaliMission folk tales take the form of fairy tales whose origin may be traced to popular ballads depicting adventures or
LampraGoria miracles.
LampraGoirokya
ChokhaniKhorang ThereareoveronehundredfolktalesofTripura,whichshowstherichnessoftheTripuriCulture.Theseare
DelhiTripura still being told by the old and grand parents to their grand children, but it has decreased now. Below are
Cultures summarizedfewfolktalesofTripura:
BuisuSena
Mamita TwoSisters&NuwaiBirds Apieceofpumpkin Furai
Hojagiri OldladyandherIguana LoveandLighting
Lebangbumani
HukHokma TheNuwaibirdsandthetwoSisters:
GoriaMwsamung
Thereliveda'jhum'cultivator.Hisfamilyconsistedofhisoldparents,hiswifeandadaughter.Thegirlwasstill
Topography
averylittleonenotyetlefthermother'slap.Insuchastatethewifeofthecultivatorleftforhernextworldthe
Theland heaven.ShewassurvivedbyherhusbandandthelittledaughterKosomti'.
Weather
Flora&Fauna The cultivator was compelled to marry for the second time. There came another daughter in the cultivators
Tours&Travels familyafteroneyear.Shewasbornwithyellowcomplexionand,so,shewasnamedKormoti.NowKosomtiand
CraftsandCuisines Kormotiweretwoyoungsisters.Theygrewupandsteppedtotheageofmarriage.Thetwohadaheartylove
Crafts foreachother.Theytogetherworkedinthehouseandinthe'jhum'fields.
CakesandBakes
Cooking
Theeldersister,Kosomti,wasdestinedwithblackcomplexion.Hermentalitywasalsonotgood.So,shebeing
Brews&Beverages
unabletostandherselfagainstKormoti,eitherintheworkof'Jhum'cultivationoriiithehouseholdactivities
becameveryjealousofKormoti.
CustomsandRituals
Births GotoTop
Marriages
Deaths Itwasthenharvestingtimeof'Jhum'crops.Thecropsweretobebroughtintohouse.Thetwosisters,oneday
OtherSocials wentouttothe'Jhum'fieldwith'Langa'(akindofbasketmadeofcanetobecarriedonhead)ontheirheads.
 Traditional Theyoungersister,goingtothe'Jhum'field,begantogathervegetablesandfillher'Langa'.Ontheotherhand,
Knowledge theelder sister Kosomti, collected those special vegetables that drew her attention and cutting them with her
Games 'billhook'shebegantoeatthem,andthosewhichshecouldnoteatwereleftscatteredhereandthere.Shedid
Medicines notkeepanyvegetablein her'Langa'.But the 'langa' Kormoti, became filled up in a short time.Nowit was
FolkTales timetoreturnhomewards.Kormotiaskedhereldersister,"Sister"mylangaisfilledup."What'saboutyours?
FolkSongs Letsgohome".Kosomtireplied"Sister"yousee.Iamnotgettinganyvegetableoverhere.HowcanIfillupmy
Langa?YourLanga,Iseeisoverflowing.Doonething,sister,youbettergivemesomeofyourvegetablesfrom
yourLanga.Ifnot,so,whatshallIshowinthehousesisterKormotibecameverydispleasedwiththereplyof
hereldersister,"No,sisterIrunnotgoingtogiveyouevenasinglevegetable,you'veswallowedwhateveryou
havefoundbeforeyourhandeithergreenorripen.Those,whichyoucouldnoteat,leftrejected.Howcanyour
Langabefilledupinthisway.IwanttoeatwithallthemembersofthehousetogetherandsoIhaven'teaten
evenoneofthevegetables.'

Kosomtisaid"Whydoyoubecomeangry?Theloadonyourshoulderwillbelighterifyougivemeaportionof
vegetablesfromyourLangaYouwillpracticallynotfeelyourLangaastroublesomeasyoufeelflow'.Kormoti
said"Letjtbeso,Iamalwaysinthehabitofcarryingsuchload,IwillcarryittodaytooandIwillnotgiveyou
evenabitofvegetable.Youhavenowbeeninthehabitoftakingvegetablefrommycollectionandyoudon'tfill
yourlanga,TrulyIamsaying,Iamnotgivingyouasinglevegetabletoday.

Kosomti became very angry at the words of her younger sister, but restrained herself from talking anymore.
The two sisters proceeded instantly towards their house. There flew a river a littleaheadoftheir jhum land.
They were to cross the river to each their house. Coming to the bank of the river Kosomti said to Kormoti
"Let'sKormoti,havearesthereforawhile".Theirhousewassituatednotsofarofffromtheriver.Theyused
tobatheinthatrivereverydayandcarrieddrinkingwaterfromit.Kormotitoo,agreedtohersister'sproposal.
Keeping their Langas under the shade of a tree, they set down to rest. It was a banyan tree under which
KormotiandKosomtiset.Thetreestoodveryclosetotheriverbankanditsbrancheswerestretchedoverthe
river.SuddenlyKosomti,pointingouttoabranchhungdownovertheriver,said,"Look,Lookatit,Kosomti
how beautifully, the branch swings over the river. It will be pleasant to swing from it. Let's go to fetch a
creeper." Kormoti collected a long creeper from the forest nearby, fastened it down very swiftly from the
swingingbranchandmadeafinecradle.Nowitwastheturnofswinging.Atfirst,Kosomtisatonthecradle
and asked her sister, "Swing me Kormoti, but do it slowly, please. Be careful, otherwise, I may fall down".
Kosomtiwentonswinging.

FrombeneaththetreeKormotioncesaid,"Sister,youhaveswungverymuch.Nowyougetdownandletme
swing.Iwishtoswingforawhile."Kosomticamedown.KormotigotintoitandKosomtibegantoswingher.
Kormoti,beingafraidoffallingdown,saidtohereldersister"sister,sister,swingmeslowly,orelseImayfall
down".Kosomtiwasswingingthecradleandthinkingwithinherself"Iaskedyoutogivemesomevegetables,
butyoudidnotgive.NowIwillteachyouagoodlesson."Kosomtibegantoswingherviolently.Kormoti,being
toomuchafraid,criedout"sister,don'tSwingmesoviolently,Iamabouttofalldown".Kosomtididnotpay
heedtohersister'sappeal,rathershepushedherawayabruptlyandviolently.Kormotihavingjailedtocontrol
herself fell down into the river. A very big Bual fish lay there in the river water. It took her for a food and
caughtherinmouth.Kormotididnothavethetimetotryforanescape.

The river being aglow with the deep yellow complexion of Kormoti, turned into yellow colour. Kosomti, too
couldnotthinkofsuchahappening.Shebecamepuzzledinthefirstinstance.Thenextmomentshemanagedto
controlherselfandthenshefilledupherLangawithallthevegetablesfromthatofKormotiaridcameback
home.Hermother,seeingheralone,asked"you'vereturnedalone,whereisKormoti?"Kosomtirepliedinan
indifferentmood,"She'scomingbehindslowly.I'vecomefastforIamveryhungry"PlacingtheLangainone
cornerofthehouse,Kosomtiquicklysatdowntoeat.

Kosomti'soldgrandmotherwentouttobatheintheriver.Steppingintothewater,shewondered!'Howstrange,
thewaterlooksyellowtodayI'veneverseenitbefore!Perhaps,somebodyhavemixedturmericinthewater?"
Theoldladytookupsomewateronherhand."No,nothingsoyellowisleftonmyhand.Thenwheredoesso
muchcolourinthewatercomefrom?Theoldladydidn'tworryfurtheraboutit.Shetookherbathandbegan
towashherclothes.But,strangeitwaswhenevertheoldwomanbeatherclothesagainstthewharfwood,a
tonelikethatofKormotiwasheardsaying'Oh,grandmother,yourbeatinghitsmeonleg".Thegrandmother
looked around for a while. No one came to her sight. She again began to beatherclothesheavily against the
wharfwood.Somebodywasagainheardsaying,"Oh,grandmother,yourbeatinghurtsmeonmychest."The
grandmotherstoppedinwonder.Nowshemovedatalittledistanceandbegantobeatherclothes.Thistimetoo,
someonewasheardsayinginapitifulvoice."Ohgrandmother,nowyourbeatinghitsmeonthehead."Once
twicethricesomeonewasheardsayingthesameagainandagaininthesamevoice.Thegrandmothermoved
hereyesallaround,butshefoundnone.Yetthegrandmotherdoubted,"ItsnonebuKormoti."Sheaskedina
hurry,Kormoti,whereareyoutalkingfromIcan'tmakeOutanything"."Kormotirepliedinlowvoice,"Here
grandmother, I am here. 1 am talking from inside a sheat fish laying under the wharf." No sooner had the
grandmother heard it then she removed the wood of the wharf and a large Bual came to her sight. The fish
swallowedupKormotibutherheadwasstilloutside.Thefishwasunabletomoveafterswallowingthehuman
body.Theoldwoman,withallhereffortspulledthefishuponthebank.

Now,Kormotimight die soonif shewasnotremoved from the fish's belly. The old woman called out theold
manloudlyfromtheriverbanktocomewithabillhook.Theoldmanhurriedtothespotwiththebillhook,
andtheoldmanwithgreatcaremadeanoperationinthebellyofthefishandtookKormotiout.Kormoti,lying
inthefishbelly,wasabouttodie.Afteralittlewhile,Kormotirecoveredhersenseandtoldhergrandmother
weepingallthathappenedtoher.Thegrandmother'sangerthenshowereduponKosomti."Thisdevilshouldbe
punishedseverely.SheintendedtokillKormotitoday.Luckily,IcameherethistimetobatheorelseKormoti
musthavediedinthebellyofthefish".Thegrandmothercatchingholdofhergranddaughter'shandwalked
slowlytowardsthehouse.

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Steppingintothehouse,theoldwomanstartedcallinghersonandKosomti.Shecalledhersonandsaid,"Ask
your vagabond daughter Kosomti to tell you what she has done today. Fortunately I went to bathe at that
momentotherwiseKormotimighthavediedtoday.Theladynarratedtohersonallthathappened.Everybody
thenbegantoscoldKosomti who being afraid of all the inmates, took shelter in one corner of the house and
begantoweep.

Kosomti'sfatherwasveryangrywithhisdaughterforwhatshehaddone.Atthattimehe,withoutsayingany
wordtoher,promisedwithintopunishherseverely.Heevenforbadeallotherstotellheranything.

Nextday,beforeitwasdawn,Kosomti'sfathercollectedabundleofbamboosandbuiltupabigcage.Thecage
wassostrongandsobigthatapersoncouldstandwithinituprightatease.Whenthecagewasreadytoserve
itspurpose,Kosomti'sfathersentforherandwhenshecame,hesaid"Kosomti,goinsidethecageandseeif
youcanstandupright".Kosomticouldnotmakeouttheplanbehinditandnosoonerdidsheenterthecage
thanherfathershutthecagedoor.Horrifiedatit,Kosomticriedoutandwept.Butthiscouldnotsoftenher
father'smindtotheleast.Thecagedoorwastiedupmoretightlywitharopeandhungfromabranchofthebig
treestandingintheircourtyard.Frominsidethecage,Kosomti,weeping,entreatedherfathertofreeherfrom
it.Thefatherdidnotpayanyheedtoherdaughter'sentreaties.Heratherbegantoscold,"Vagabond,thedevil,
youconspiredtokillKormoti.Now,you'vetogetthepunishment.Ishallletyoudiebitbybitofstarvation.Let
mesee,whocomesforwardtsaveyou"Nobodyrespondedtoherpatheticweeping.

Kosomtiwentonspendingherdaysinthecage.Shewastoendureall,suchas,thesunraysofthedaytimeand
unbearablecoldinthenights.Kormotirequestedhermother,grandmotherandall,onebyonetofreeKosomti.
Butnone,afraidofherfather,cameforwardtofreeherfromthecage,Kosomtiwasdeniedevenadropofwater
inherthirstandfoodinherseverehunger.Asdayspassedon,shebecameweakerandmorehungryandthirsty
thanbefore.Onedayasitdawned,alltheinmatesofthehousesetoutfortheirindividualworkinthejhum
land,onlyKormoti,wasleftalonetolookafterthehouse.KosomtihavingsuchanopportunitycalledKormoti
andsaid"Kormoti,bringmesomewater,sister,Iamgoingtodiewithoutit,Imighthavecommittedanoffence
toyou.Pleasepardonforit.

Kormotilovedhereldersisterveryearnestly.Sheshedtearsforhereldersister.Hidingherselfawayfromher
parents,shedarednotdoanythingforthefearofherlather.Thatday,asshehadanopportunityshefastened
somericeandlittlewaterinapotatthetopofalongbambooandpassedthemtoKosomti.Whilegivingthose
Kormotisaid,"Sister,youmustnottellanybodythatIhavegivenyoufood.ThenIshallbethrowntomyfateas
yoursnow.Kosomtiresponded"Howcanitbesister,Ihadillfateandthatiswhy,IamsufferingsomuchandI
shallbynomeans, lead you to similar fate." After many days Kosomti got her throat wet and sheseemedto
haveregainedherlife.Kormotikepthereldersisteralivegivingherfoodandwateroffandinsuchawaythat
nonecouldsee.Nooneinthehousecouldknowofit.

Atnoon,whenallthemembersof the house left for jhum field, Kosomti then looked forwards to the remote
blue sky. She could hardly turn her sight forward to the sky in the sun rays. Yet, she gazing at the "Nowai
birds,"flyinginonecorneroftheskywouldthinkinherselfifshecouldflyintheblueskylikethosebirds,"My
god,thoubestowestmethewings&strengthtoflyhightipintheskylikethosebirds."

Kosomti was sitting in her cage one day. Accidentally a pitiful tune .f a song came out from her lips in her
ignorance.Shetoldthebirdsflyingintheremoteskyinarhythmictune

i)Oh,mynowaibirds,
Lookatme.
Bringmefeathers,
For,inthebluesky
Iintendtofly.

Theheartsofthenowaibirdsmelt,astheyheardthetragicsongofKosomti.Theycamedowningroupand
eachofthemgaveherasinglefeather.Kosomtithusgotalotoffeathersandkeptthemarrangedinorderin
onecornerofthecage.

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Alasilentnoon,nextday,Kosomtiagainimploredthenowaibirdsinherpitifultune

ii)Ohmynowaibirds,
Pickmeup.
Bringmesomebeaks,
FornowaibirdsIwishtobe.

Thenowaibirdsrespondedtohersongtodayalso.Theycamedownandeachofthemgaveherasinglebeak,
Kosomticollectedthemandkepttheminorder.

NextnoonKosomtiagainimploredthenowaibirds
iii)Ohmydear,mynowaibirds,Pickmeup,
Bringmesomenails,
For,uphighinthebluesky
Iwishtofly.

Thatdayeachofthenowaibirdsgaveherasinglenail.Kosomtiarrangedeventhesenailsinorder.

Nowsomethreadwasneeded.Herfatherbeingabsentinthehouse,Kosomtirequestedherstepmotherfora
needleandsomethread.Thestopmotherdidnotpayanyattentiontoherrequest.Sheratherturnedherfaceto
theotherside.Havingfailedtomovehermothershedemandedthesametoheraunt.Heraunt,toosaid,"Ask
your'pishi'andshewentaway.Allhadleftfortheirrespectiveworksayinghersamething.Inthemeantime
onedayshegothergrandmotheralone,andentreatedherforaneedleandsomethread. The grandmother's
heartgotsoftenedbyKosomti'searnestentreaty.Shefoundoutabrokenneedleandsomethreadandhanded
themovertoKosomti.

Kosomtieventhoughshewasoverwhelmedwithgrief,wasnowpleasedalittle.Nowshegatheredthefeathers,
thenailsandthebeaksgiventoherbythenowaibirdsandmadeafinedressofanowaibirdbyneedlingthem
withthread.Whenthisdresswasmadeuponeday,atnoon,whenallsetouttoworkinthejhumfield,Kosomti
putthisdressonlightlyforatrial.Butwhatawonderitwas.Assoonassheworethedress,shefeltimmense
strengthinherbody,asifshewasreallyanowaibird.

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Nowitwasherturntoflyoutofthecage.OnedayKosomtiputonthatdresstightly,andasshefeltherselfa
nowaibird,shebrokethecageintopiecesbypeckingsplashing,andnailingitwithherbeak,nailsandfeathers.
WhowastheretokeepKosomticaptivenow?She,flyingbymeansofthetwowings,satonatree.Herheart
leapedupwithjoyoffreedom.Shewitsmovinghereandthere,flyingoverherhouse.Andinvitingthenowai
birdsflyingintheremotesky,shesaid

(iv)Waitwaitalittle
Inthissky
Andpickmeup.
Givemestrengthinmywings,
For,inthebluesky
Iwillfly.

Kosomtibrokethecagealreadyandcameoutandshewasflyingintheskylikeabird.Allgatheredintheir
courtyardtoseetheirKosomtiintheformofabird.Kosomti'sparentslookeduptotheskyandrequestedher
againandagaintocomeback.Inresponsetotheirwords,Kosomtisaid,"Youdidnotfeedmeinmyhunger.I
did not have single drop o water from you in my thirst. I have got only scolding and rude words. You have
understooditverywellnowthatyoucannomorekeepmelockedup.Areyounowcallingmetocomebackto
youforthisonly?

The birds flying in the blue sky are dearer to me than you. I like to fly with them. I had no intention to kill
Kormoti.Herfatebeingill,theBualfishhadswallowedherin.Butyoudidnottrytounderstandit.

Now,toKormoti,Kosomtisaid,"Sister,KormotiIwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforme.Itisyouwho
havesavedmefromhungerwithfoodandfromthirstwithwater.Maygodblessyou.Iwishthatyoumayget
yourselfmarriedtoagoodhusband.Youwillbehappy.Youareagirlofturmericcomplexion.Theriverwater
tooturnedintoturmericcolourwhenyouplungedintoit.So,theriverhasbeennamedafteryourbodycolour.

InvokedbyKosomti,thenowaibirdsbegantoflyhereandthereovertheirhouse.NowKosomtiwouldalsofly
with them. Before her departure she called Kormoti and said her the last words, 'Sister, you go back to the
house.Ishallnowriseupintheblueskyandbreatheinahorizonoffreedomandsafety."

Kosomti's parents eagerly requested to her daughter, "Please daughter Kosomti, do not flay away leaving us
behind,weshallneverpunishyouagaincomebackforonce.'

Kosomtirepliedagainfromtherooftop,'Motherandfather,ifyouwanttoseemecomeback,thenkeepthe
cakeandwaterintherooftopofhouseatthetimeof'Hangrai',(thatisSankrati)Ishallcomeflyingandtakea
mealofit.'AmongTripurithisfactissubstantiatedbythevisitingofnowai(pelican)duringwinterseasonin
India.

Kosomti'sparentsandallothersweregazingatthedisappearanceofKosomtii,withtearsintheireyesKosomti
too,whilegoingawayflyingwiththenowaibirds,said,

"O,thenowaibirdsoftheremotesky,
Upintheremoteskyyougo
Passallthefeacesout
Offtheirbodiesbelow."

TheOldLadyandherIguana:
It'sastoryoflongpast.Therewasaprosperousvillage.Almostallthevillagerownedsomelandinthatvillage.
Those who did not own any land, used to work as daily labourers in other's land. They maintained their
livelihoodearningwagesaslabourers.Sononeofthevillagerssufferedfromanycrisis.

Inthisvillageanoldladylivedinasmallhutbuiltonasmalltilla(hillock)inthecornerofthatvillage,Shehad
noneofherown.Everydaysheusedtogooutatbreakofdayforbegging.Buteverydayshewouldbegonlyin
threehouses.

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Therelivedabigiguanainaholebesidethecourtyardofthehouseofthatoldwoman.Theoldwomanloved
that iguana very much. Everyday after her begging she would scatter some rice at the courtyard for that
iguana.Tilltheiguanaatethericetheoldladywouldnotstartcooking.Onedayontheoccasionofamarriage
ofthedaughterofarichmanofthevillage,allthevillagerswereinvited,noonewasomitted.Eventhefatherof
thedaughterhadpersonallyinvitedtheoldlady.Thefatherofthedaughterhadbroughtalltheyouthsofthe
village to work and distributed duties among them accordingly. The day before the wedding all the villagers
assembledattheweddinghouse.

Sittingonthevarandaofthehousetheoldwomanwasthinkingonthepreviousdaythatthenextdaywasthe
weddingday.Buttoattendtheweddingwhatclothesshewouldwear!OnlytwoRignai(garment)weretherein
thehouse.Thesewerealsodirty.Someplacesontherignaiweretornduetodisplacementofthefibers.Wouldit
bewise,shethought,togototheweddingwearingthistypeofcloth?Atthistimetheiguanahadcomeoutto
take his meal. But towards him she had no attention, she did not go to beg that day. She was thinking and
thinking.Atlastshedecidedthatshewouldbringagoodrignaifromaknownhousesituateddownthetillaand
wouldreturntherignaiaftertheweddingday.Shethereforethoughtnottogoouttobegontheday.Theday
wouldsomehowpasswiththeremainingriceatthehouse.ThinkingsoshestoodupfromtheVaranda.Allona
suddenhereyesfellontheiguana.Shesawtheiguanaenteringthehole,onlythetailofitcame to her sight.
Seeing so, the old woman brought some rice from the house and scatteredthemwhile she remained standing
nearby.Buttheiguanadidnotcomeout from the hole to eat. At this her mind was upset. Today she had no
scopetocook,becauseiftheiguanadidnoteatshewasalsotoremainunfed.Afterstandingthereforsometime,
shewentbackhomewithsorrow.Theoldwomanpeepedatfromthehousewhethertheiguanahadtakenits
foodornot.Butshefoundthericescatteredonthesamespot.Theiguanahadnottakenanything.Thatmeant
thatatnightalsoshewastoremainunfed.

Ontheotherhandtheboysofthevillagehadsettledthattheywouldmakethealtarofthemarriageallthrough
thenight.Soatnightallhadbegantoworkforalter.Asnightpassedabit,thefatherhadsentwineandpork
fortoeatattimeofworking.Inthemidstofthese,aboytold"Wewillnottakedrinksonlywithporkasitisa
dayofpleasure.IwilleatameatofthesortthatIhavenottakenforalongtime.Isthereanybodyelseamongst
youwhocanprovideuswiththistypeofmeatmeantfor.Havingheardhiswordallhadstartedthinking.What
typeofmeatwasthisthattheyhadrioteatenforlong!Allweredrownedinthinkinghutnobodycouldfindthe
typeofmeatmeantfor.Suddenlyoneofthemshoutedinpleasure'YesYes!Icanrecall!Manydaysaregone
wehavenoteatenanyiguana'smeat.Letushavesomeiguana'smeattoday"Anotherboytold"butatdeadof
nightfromwherewillwehaveiguana"?Theonewhospokefirst,toldthistime"Ifyouareabletocatchand
kill,thenIcansaythewhereaboutsofthatiguana".Thenallhadcriedoutinchorus.'Alright,Alright,youtell
uswherethatiguanaresides,wewillcatchitandkillitforthepurpose.

Theboytoldthen"Besideourvillagewhereanoldwomanlivesonasmalltilla(hill),therelivesaniguanaina
bigholebesidethecourtyardofherhouse.Thatoneisbiginsizeandifyoudesireyoucankillandhavethat
one.Butbewaretheoldwomanbynomeansshouldgetahintofit.Ifsheconmstoknowthereshallbenoway.
Theoldwoman keeps watch over it like the wealth of yakshas". Then another boy told"Is it wise to kill the
iguanawhentheoldwomantakessomuchcareofitandlovesitsomuch7".

Alltheotherthentold"ltisonlyaniguana.Whatistheharmdonetotheoldwomaniftheiguanaiskilled.Let
uskillandbringthatsilently".Itwasdeadofnight.Atadistancethefoxeswereyelling,Itwaspitchydark.
Onewasgoingaheadshowingthepathwithabamboomadeburningflambeau.Whentheyreachedthehouseof
the old woman then an owl had hooted harshly. They had found out after much searching, the hole of that
iguana.Thereafteroneofthemhadstartedpiercinginthewholewithalongpointedbamboo.Afterawhilethe
iguanacameoutfromtheholefullofcutsandwounds.Andassoonastheiguanacameouttheybeheaded it
withachopper.Alllefttheplacethenwiththeiguana.Thenextmomenttheowlhadhootedagaininarough
tone.Withthathootingtheoldwomanwokeupfromhersleepwithaualarm.Withanunknownfearhermind
crumbled.Aperniciousfearhadoccupiedhermind.Butshedidnotgetasmellofthemisdeedthattookplace
outsideherhouse.Againshefellasleep.

Theboysthencuttheiguanaintopieceandafterroastingitinfirebegantoeatwithwineindelight.Asthey
had become intoxicated with wine, a)) drooped down gradually at their places. They were no longer in a
conditiontowork.Graduallythenightadvancedtowarddaybreak.

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While tie operation, to kill the iguana took place the old lady was in deep sleep. Now the old woman had
suddenlywokeup at a call as if some body was telling her"Old woman, oldwoman, get up quickly and run
awayfromhere".Theoldwomangotupfromsleephorrifiedandlookedallaroundtofindnothingofthekind.
Shewaswonderingastowhocouldbetheretocadherthatway."MaybeIwasdreaming"shethoughtbutshe
could not drive away fear from her mind. Who might have called hc in that fashion. Tossing on her bed in
anxietiesoverthemattershefinallyfellinsleepagain.Butafterawhilethesamethinghappened.Thislimous
iftellingwithhothaste"oholdwomanareyoustillsleeping.(Jotupquickly,Runaway,hurriedlyHalfpart
ofthevillagehasalmostcometoanend

Ifyouliketosurvive'runawaythismoment".Againtheoldwomengotupandasfrightened.Thesamethingin
exactlythesamewaycannothorepeatedshethought."Whataninauspiciousword what does it mean, that
halfpartofthevillagehasalmostcometoanend?No,thislimehewillsituplateatnight.Letitbeobserved.
Whether same thing happened again or not. The same thing again happened. This time she had heard it
distinctlyasifsomebodywastellingher"oldwoman,Oholdwomanareyousittingstill?Don'tyouhaveany
loveforlifeDoyouwanttodier[hoentirevillageisgoingtobedestructed.Yourhousetoowillbewashedaway.
Ifyouliketosaveyourlifethenrunawaythismomentfromhere.Areyounothearingtheroaringsoundwhich
isapproachingfastRunaway,runawayquickly".Theoldwomanthenexclaimedasshewasstartledwithfear
"Whoareyoutofrightenmeinthisway?Areyouman,orghostoragod,Whoareyou?"

Theoldwomanheardthereply"Iamnotaman,noraghostoragod,Imyourthatiguana.Theboysofthe
weddinghousehavekilledmethisnightandtheyhaveeatenmymeatalongwithwinewithpleasure.Forthat
veryreasontheentirevillagewillbesmashedbymy cursewithinthis night. I will immerse the entire village
underwater.Henceforthabiglakewillappearhereinsteadofthevillage.Onlyapostofthishousewillstand
abovethewaterasiftoremindothersoftheexistenceofitonetime.Soyourunawaythisverymoment".

Atthatmomenttheoldwomanheard a big roar. As if the sea was rolling fast towards her. What a big roar.
Hearingthis,theoldwomanbecameverymuchnervous.Instantlywithoutfurtherdelay,theoldwomanbegan
to man through the rear passage of the house. It seemed to her as if a huge cobra was running behind her
raising its hundreds or thousands of heads. Running at a great speed she reached the adjacent village at the
deadofnightandnosoonerhadsheenteredtheverandaofahouseshefelldownunconscious.Atdawnwhen
thehouseholderopenedthedoorhesawthisoldladylyinginunconsciousstate.Hebroughtherinandhadher
nursed with much care. After a while, for intensive care of that householder the old woman recovered her
senses.She,thenstillpanickynarratedtohimiiiafrailvoiceofthehavocthattookover.Thehouseholderthen
alongwilhthevillagerssetoutforthespottoascertainthematterwhichhelearntfromtheoldwoman.The
spotboretheevidencestotestifythereportofthatoldwoman.Theyallbecameastonished,andalarmed.There
wasnoSighofthevillagenorthedwellersonlyunfathomablewaterspreadallaround.Theybecamesurprised.
Nothingwasvisibleexceptthetopofapostwhichremainederectedalittlehigherthanthelevelofthewater.
Thepostwasofthathousewheretheworkwasgoingoninconnectionwiththedaughter'smarriageofarich
person.

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APieceofPumpkin:
There were two sisters married in the neighbouring village. The younger of them was very richpossessing
immense wealth and gold. The elder sister us in the opposite statevery poor and earned her livelihood by
beggingfromdoortodoor.

One day the elder sister visited the younger sister's house with a mind of getting some help from her. The
youngersisterofferedherapieceofpumpkinandsomericeatbesttomakeameal.Sheofferednothingmore
thanthat.Theyoungersisternotwithstandingherwealthypositionwasnevercompassionateorsympatheticto
hersisterandbeingveryselfishandcrookedthoughttogetsomeservicesfromhersisterinreturnofthe'help'
shehadoffered.

Theyoungersisteraskedtheeldersistertositwithherandrequestedtobringoutthelicefromherhead.She
firstlookedintotheeldersister'shead.Theeldersisterbeingverypoorcouldnotoilandcombherhairandthe
youngersisterbroughtoutsomelicefrom them. Now the younger sister bent lowered her head but the elder
sisterfailed to find any house. The younger sister started combing her hair and suddenly discovered lice fall
fromhercount.Onseeingitshethoughtwithinherselfthattheeldersisterhadnomindtofindtheliceandthus
haddeceivedher.Shethoughtthathersisterwasbesideherselfwiththericesufficingamealandinnomoodto
dowhatshehadbeenaskedto.Shethereforemeditatedtorevengethisindifferencetoherrequestandbeing
angrytookawaythepieceofpumpkinfromher.Shedidnotstophere,shehaddrivenawayhersisterbythe
backdooronthepleatifsheleavesbythefrontdoor,itwouldaugurbadforherchildren.Theeldersisterthus
insultedandhumiliatedleftthehouseinsilenceanguishedwithinandwithleansteppedforwardforhome.

Allthewayshewasweepingandthinkingofherstarvingchildrenawaitingeagerlyherreturnwithsomething
tofeedthem.Hastilyshecollectedtheleavesandrootsofsomevegetationfromtheroadsidehedgestoboilthem
forthechildren.Cominghomeshedressedtherootsandleavesundputintoabowelatleastthesewillrelieve
themslightlyfromthepervadingappetite.Shefeltverytiredafterthedayswalkingandfromhungerandcould
nothelpaccusingherfateforallhermiseriesandafterawhilefellintoaslumberbesidetheboilingbowel.In
herslumbershedreamtriwonderfuldream.Godhasappearedtoconsolehersaying,'Omysweetchild,Ihave
beenverymuchpainedinseeingyourwretchedstatefromabove.YougetupandfindIhaveconvertedallyour
vegetablesintogold,whatmoreIcandoforyoumychild."

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"Take the gold and sell them to live happily with your children. She was startled to get up and to her utter
surprisefoundallrootsinthebowelhavereallybecomegoldasperherdream.Sheimmediatelywentoutto
selloutthemandinnotimebecameveryrich.Shehadchangedherwholestateandmadeeverythingrich.
Butshecouldnotforgetthebehaviorhersisterhaddonetoherindrivingoutfromherhouse.Bythegraceof
godtodayshewasnolongerinheroldstateandnowgotachancetoretaliatetheinsult.Shesentaninvitation
toheryoungersistertovisitherhouseandseethemforherselfShehadalreadylearntfrompeopleofherelder
sister'schangedstateandongettingtheinvitationshecametotheeldersister'shousetoseeforherself'whether
shehadbecomewealthierthanherself.Theyoungersisterwasveryhappyanddelightedtoseetheeldersister's
goldandotherwealth.Thetwosistersspentthewholedaytogetherconversingallthroughoutandatetogether.
Comingtoherhousetheyoungersisteralsosentaninvitationtotheeldersistertocometoherhouse.Theelder
sister was awaiting this chance only. She came one day to her sister's house. She came adorned with all her
golden ornaments in a horse cart. As she reached there, the younger sister came running out of her room to
receiveher.Buttheeldersisterenteredthroughthebackdoorbywhichshewasoncedrivenaway.

Whenthelunchtimecame,shewasofferedvarietyofdeliciousfoodstuff.Theeldersisterlookedatthemand
didnotpickupasingleitemtohermouth.Shetouchedtheutensilsseveraltimeswithhercostlyornamentsand
cameoutfromtherebythebackdoor.Seeingherleaveiiithatwaytheyoungersisterentreated,"Whyhaveyou
nottakenanythingsister"Theeldersisterrepliedpromptlyfromthegate"WhenIvisitedyourhouseinmy
wretchedstate,Ihadnogoldornamentandgoodclothes,thattimeyoutookawaythepieceofpumpkinyouhad
offeredasalmsandtoinsultmedrovemeawaythroughthebackdoorsayingthathadIbeenalloweddopass
bythefrontdooritwouldaugurbadforyourchildren.YoudidallthesesinceIwaspoor.Butnow?Youare
showingsomuchcareandlovenottomeasIpossessnowgoldandwealth.Itappearsthatyouareshowinglove
nottomebuttomywealth.AndforthatIhavetakennothingfromthedishandcomebackouttouching the
foodstuffwithmyornaments,"sayingsotheeldersistergotintoconveyanceandcameback.Theyoungersister
wasthuspaybackwiththesamecoin.

Furai
The headman of the village called Wamlang made gala preparations for the marriage of his beautiful young
daughterChhiaree.ThebridegroomwasnamedDiaree,ayoungmanofindomitableenergyandstrength.The
stage was all set, and in a few moments Chhiaree was to embrace Diaree in her wedlock. The friends and
relations were agog with joy and merriment. The gaily decorated giggling Tripuri girls were moving about
glancingattheirlovers.Feasts,dancesandreligiousritesweregoingonasusualasnecessarycomponentsofthe
ceremony. Rejoicing was at its height when suddenly thesoundofFuraiwasheardheraldingthepresenceof
Kukienemyinthevillage.TheyoungbridegroomDiareewhowasinhisrichweddingdressquicklyputitaside,
wipedoffthesandalpastefromhisforeheadandsoongotreadytojointhefight.Furaicallnowseemedtobe
veryclosewardrumswerebeatentoaskforpeople'ssacrificeforsafeguardingthecountry'shonour.Diaree
joinedthe battle and fought valiantly against the Kukis for seven days. The Kukis were eventually humbled,
thanks to Diaree's valour. On his way back after the victory, Diaree yielded to the charms of a village belle,
beingobliviousofhisnewlywedwifeChhiaree,whointhevillagewaspassingherdaysinheartbreakingagony
anddesolationandwaswaitinganxiouslyforherhusband'ssafereturn.MeanwhilethePrinceofthecountry
sought to marry Chhiaree. The young lady turned down the proposal with utter contempt. When the prince
threatenedtotakeherbyforce,shefledfromthevillage,climbedtoahilltopandjumpedfromthere.Araven
caughtholdofherandflewhertoDiaree.Learningaboutitall,theyoungmantookarmsagainstthePrince
andbroughthimlow.ChhiareeandDiareethereafterlivedhappilyinthevillage.

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LoveandLightnings
In a village situated beside a rushing brook on the slope of a hill lived a man named Champarai, his wife
Khulumati and their son Nugurai, a young man of indomitable energy and physical strength. One day
Khulumatihadgoneforabathinthebrook,whilehersonwasbusyonthejhoomfield.Shesawthebodyofa
younggirlfloatinginthestrongcurrentofthehillyriverwhereswimmingwashazardous.Shecalledherson
Nuguraiwhoimmediatelyrushedtothespotinstantlyhejumpedintothestream,swamandrescuedthegirl.
Nuguraithentookhertohishouse,sentforhisuncleChadraiSardarwhowasanojha(aquack).Thelatter
declaredthatthegirlwasstillalive.Medicinewasappliedandthewaterflushedoutofherbody.Shewassaved
Khulumatiwhohadnodaughter,broughtherupbestowingallherloveonthegirl.Nugurai'sparentscouldnot
getanycluetotheparentageofthegirl,andwhentheywerecharmedbythepleasantbehaviourofthegirl,they
didnotshowanycuriosityeither.Asmonthsrolledby,Nuguraifellinlovewiththegirl,Nakhapili.Thevillage
girlsoftenusedtotellheraboutthefinertraitsofNugurai'scharacter,howhehadriskedhislifetosaveher
andhowhetenderlycarriedhertohishut.NakhapilistartedlookingaskanceatNuguraiwhodidnottakelong
togetthemessageofhereyes.ButthevillagegirlssoonbecamejealousofNakha.Theymadenosecretoftheir
attachmenttoNugurai.Nugurai,nowindeeplovewithNakha,wouldrushhomefromthejhoomfieldonone
pretext or another. Sometimes he would ask for drinks. She would hand over the bamboo funnel with home
brewedwineandtheirfingerswouldtouchandremainlockedforawhile.Nugurai'sparentswhowerealready
lookingforabrideagreedtoacceptNakhathoughwithsomeinitialhesitationastheparentageofthegirlwas
notyetcleartothem.Andthatitselfbroughttragedyintothisfolktale.

Ontheweddingday,thewholevillagecametothecelebration.Theweddingplatform(Haya)wasbeautifully
decoratedwithflowers.Thepriest(Achai)wasbusysupervisingtheritualpartoftheceremony.Meatandwine
were served to the guests. Rejoicing was at its peak when a cousin of Champarai with his wife and daughter
arrived. The daughter identified Nakha as her stepsister who was supposed to have committed suicide by
jumpingintotheriver.Whentoldthatthebridewasrelatedtothem,KhulumatiandChamparaicalledoffthe
marriageinobediencetotheageoldcustomwhichdidnotallowanintragotrawedding.
Nakha and Nugurai were shocked and dumbfounded. Nakha began to weep both tore off their marriage
apparelandwipedoffthesandalpastefromtheirforeheads.Toescapefromtheignominiouscatastrophe,they
leftthehouseatdeadofnightandstartedtheirlifeanewinanearbyvillagewiththewarmthandvigourofa
newlymarriedlife.Butalas,thistimetoofatedidnotfavourthem.Afterafewmonths,Champaraicameand
pleadedwithhissontoreturnhomeandgetmarriedasthepresentmarriagewasagainstthesanctionofsocial
custom and law. The words came as a bombshell to the young couple. Nugurai refused to oblige his father.
Khulumati'swrathfelluponthegirlandsheletlooseatorrentofabuse.Nakhasilentlylistenedtotheabuse.
Slowlysheboweddownandtouchedherfeetandsaid,"Youaremymother,nowthatIhavelostmymother's
loveandshewants meto die, die I shall. Do bless me that in my next birth I shall get again your sonasmy
husband."WiththesewordsNakharandownthehillslopes,Nugurairanafterher.Therewasadeepravine,
andasmallstreamranwindingdowntheslope.Nakhajumpedfromtheedgeoftheravine,Nagufollowedher.
But instead of going down Nakha moved upwards and Nugurai followed her up in the sky which was soon
coveredwithdarkclouds.Soontherewasathunderousnoiseinthesky.Everybodyincludingtheparentsofthe
boy witnessed the strange happenings. Even today whenever dark clouds thunder in the sky, the Tripuri
villagersfondlyremembertheirNuguraiandNokhapiliandtheirabidinglove.

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