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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox book
| italic title = And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold 
| name = And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold
| image = And That Is Why Manipuri Myths Retold.jpeg
| image_size =
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| alt =
| caption =
| author = L. Somi Roy
| audio_read_by =
| title_orig = And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold
| orig_lang_code = en
| title_working =
| translator =
| illustrator = Sapha Yumnam
| cover_artist = Sapha Yumnam
| country = India
| language = English
| series =
| release_number =
| subject =
| genre = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]])
| set_in = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]])
| publisher = [[Penguin Random House]]
| publisher2 =
| pub_date = 21 June 2021
| english_pub_date = 21 June 2021
| published = 21 June 2021
| media_type = [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]] and [[Paperback]]
| pages = 93
| awards =
| isbn = 9780143452393
| isbn_note =
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| followed_by = 
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| website =
}}
'''And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold''' is a children's book based on 12 stories from the [[Meitei mythology]] of [[Manipur]], written by L. Somi Roy and published by [[Penguin Random House]] India. It was launched by Member of Parliament [[Rajya Sabha]] and titular King of Manipur [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]] at the palace compound, [[Imphal]] on 21 June 2021. The stories are adaptations of tales found in the [[Puya (Meitei texts)|puya]]s ([[Meitei language]] manuscripts).<ref name=twelve>{{Cite web|last=Nameirakpam|first=Lakshmi J.|date=2021-07-24|title=Twelve Incredible Manipuri Myths Retold and Packed in a Children's Book » Imphal Review of Arts and Politics|url=https://imphalreviews.in/twelve-incredible-manipuri-myths-retold-and-packed-in-a-childrens-book/|access-date=2022-07-06|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Book titled 'And That is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold' released|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/6/22/IMPHAL-Jun-22A-book-titled-And-That-is-Why-Manipuri-Myths-Retold-an-illustrated-collection.html|access-date=2022-07-06|website=www.thesangaiexpress.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='And That is Why...Manipuri Myths Retold' by L Somi Roy released|url=https://www.ifp.co.in/8075/and-that-is-whymanipuri-myths-retold-by-l-somi-roy-released|access-date=2022-07-06|website=Imphal Free Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=And That is Why Manipuri Myths Retold Book released 20210623|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=announcements.Ann_2021.And_That_is_Why_Manipuri_Myths_Retold_Book_released_20210623|access-date=2022-07-06|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-16|title=Endearing, vibrant tales from Manipuri mythology|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/books-education/endearing-vibrant-tales-manipuri-mythology-1502973393.html|access-date=2022-07-06|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-06-26|title=A unique manuscript tradition records the civilisation of the Meiteis of Manipur|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/the-world-according-to-the-meiteis-manipur-has-a-little-known-but-highly-evolved-manuscript-tradition-called-puya/article34945997.ece|access-date=2022-07-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Background ==
[[L. Somi Roy]] was introduced to the ancient Meitei manuscripts by the late scholar [[Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra]]. Roy was assisted by Thokchom Thouyangba Meitei, a scholar of ancient manuscripts, illustrator Sapha Yumnam, and Manipuri historian Wangam Somorjit. The author revisited the ancient mythological tales of the [[Meitei people]], from a [[Ancient Kangleipak|time before the arrival of Hinduism in Manipur]]. Sapha Yumnam created the illustrations using a similar red- and brown- based colour palette with little blue or black, similar to that found in the manuscripts.<ref name=twelve/><ref>{{Cite web|title='And That is Why': Manipuri mythological tales from a forgotten corner|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2021/jul/18/and-that-is-why-manipuri-mythological-tales-from-a-forgotten-corner-2330815.html|access-date=2022-07-06|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

According to the author, first time Manipuri mythology being presented to the outside world and so he took extra care researching manuscripts, later writing, and oral traditions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Don't talk down to children was the best advice I got: { studio }L. Somi Roy on writing children's book on Manipuri myths - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/interviews/dont-talk-down-to-children-was-the-best-advice-i-got-l-somi-roy-on-writing-childrens-book-on-manipuri-myths/articleshow/84266004.cms|access-date=2022-07-06|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> In an interview with "[[The Indian Express]]", he said:
<blockquote>"We have high culture in dance and music, and even sports, but not much of a visual tradition. It is these rare manuscripts that make up the heritage of the Meitei community — and hence, need to be preserved as far as possible."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-26|title=Manipur's ancient manuscript tradition comes alive in a new children's book|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/manipur/manipurs-ancient-manuscript-tradition-childrens-book-l-somi-roy-7377128/|access-date=2022-07-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>

== Works ==
The book contains 12 stories about mythical creatures, heroes, gods and goddesses from Meitei mythology.<ref name=twelve/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XxovEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT4|title=And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold|last=Roy|first=L. Somi|date=2021-06-21|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=978-93-91149-65-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-09|title=Animals that talk and other Manipuri legends|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/animals-that-talk-and-other-manipuri-legends-111625763406551.html|access-date=2022-07-06|website=Mintlounge|language=en}}</ref>

* And that is why '''Man is Creative and can Think''': the story of the creation of woman before man.
* And that is why '''Man Gets Wrinkles and a Stoop in his Old Age''': a story about the lifespan of man being one hundred years.
* And that is why '''the Deer Does not Eat Rice''': the story of goddess [[Phouoibi]], daughter of the sky God Soraren.
* And that Is why '''the Cat Buries its Poop''': the story of a tiger and his aunt, a cat.
* And that is why '''the Duck does not Brood her own Eggs''': a story about kindness.
* And that is why '''the Weavers of Khurkhul Make Silk''': the story of [[Khurkhul]] silk making an imprint on Manipur.
* And that is why '''a Magic Bamboo Grows on Karang Island''': the story of the slaying of the dragon [[Poubi Lai]] of [[Loktak Lake]].
* And that is why '''the Pied Cuckoo Drinks Only Rainwater''': a story of community inclusiveness and also of a stubborn foreign pied cuckoo.
* And that is why '''the Manipuri Pony is Sacred''': the story of [[Samaton|Samadon]], a mythical flying horse.
* And that is why '''a Doll is Worshipped in Kakching Village''': a story of a little girl and her beloved doll.
* And that is why '''the Fire in the Village of Andro Never Goes Out''': the story of the connection between Manipur and foreign kingdoms like [[Shan State|Shan]].
* And that is why '''Manipur is the Birthplace of Polo''': the story of the birth of [[polo]], and stories about the Goddess [[Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi]] and the adventures of her son, [[Khoriphaba]].

== See also ==
* [[The Tales of Kanglei Throne]]
* [[Boro Saheb Ongbi Sanatombi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2021 children's books]]
[[Category:Children's books based on Asian myths and legends]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore in popular culture]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology in popular culture]]
[[Category:Mythology books]]

And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold - Revision history

imported>Uuuuuwex at 08:15, 3 April 2024