The book is written by L Somi Roy and published by Penguin Random House India under the Puffin imprint.
TFM Desk
Rajya Sabha member Leisemba Sanajaoba released a book titled “And That is Why… Manipuri Myths Retold” an illustrated collection of retellings from Manipuri mythology, at the Palace in Imphal.
The book is written by L Somi Roy and published by Penguin Random House India under the Puffin imprint. The mythological stories in And That is Why are derived from text both manuscripts and modern publications – and oral sources. They are gathered chiefly from writer and producer Thokchom Thouyangba Meitei, pena balladeer and folklorist M. Mangangsana, archivist Chanam Hemchandra, and with additional historical research by Wangam Somorjit.
The twelve tales in And That Is Why are illustrated by modern Manipuri artist Sapha Yumnam based on the traditional art of illustrated Manipuri manuscripts such as the subika and khutlou.
L Somi Roy is a cultural conservationist, and the translator of the works of his mother, the Manipuri writer MK Binodini Devi. His published translations of Binodini include her historical novel Boro Saheb Ongi Sanatombi (published by Penguin Random House India in 2020 as a Penguin Modern Classic titled The Princess and the Political Agent); memoir essays Churachand Maharajgi Imung (The Maharaja’s Household: A Daughter’s Memories of Her Father, 2015); her play Asangba Nongjabi (Crimson Rainclouds, 2012); and screenplay Imagi Ningthem (My Son, My Precious, 1981).
Roy is the founder trustee of Imasi: The Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi Foundation (www.imasi.org). The book is now available at Ukiyo Bookstore, Imphal.