On August 20th, 2025, the Manipuri Language Day was celebrated with an intensity and cultural vibrancy that went far beyond the confines of a single community festival. It became a landmark occasion not just for the Manipuri-speaking population, but for all those who understand the importance of linguistic identity, cultural preservation, and the need for recognition of India’s diverse linguistic heritage. The celebration, which combined the 34th Manipuri Language Day with a National Conference on Population Education and the distribution of the prestigious Prof. Dr. R. Subbakrishna Memorial Lifetime Journalist Award 2025, was hosted at the Chill @ Chang Exotic Multi-Cuisine Café and Restaurant in Boragaon, Jalukbari, Guwahati, Assam.
The program unfolded as a multi-layered event, blending scholarly dialogue with cultural performances, awards distribution, and fervent calls for recognition of Manipuri as both an Eighth Schedule language and a classical language of India. At its core, the celebration highlighted a growing movement that seeks not only to safeguard Manipuri’s historical dignity but also to propel it into the future as a living, thriving, and globally respected language.
The Spirit of Manipuri Language Day
Every year, Manipuri Language Day is observed on August 20th to commemorate the inclusion of Manipuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 1992. This year’s celebration marked the 34th edition, and the occasion carried added weight, as 2025 is seen as a decisive moment in the struggle for classical language status. For decades, Manipuri intellectuals, linguists, activists, and cultural leaders have been tirelessly working to highlight the language’s antiquity, originality, and distinct literary traditions.
The atmosphere at Guwahati was charged with a sense of pride, urgency, and unity. Scholars, writers, activists, journalists, students, and community leaders gathered under one roof to pay tribute to Manipuri’s resilience and to strategize for its future. Unlike many other commemorative events, this was not simply a cultural showpiece; it was a declaration of identity, a reaffirmation of heritage, and a collective promise to carry Manipuri forward into the coming centuries.
Dr. Thokchom Chandramani Singh, a distinguished linguist from Guwahati and Dean of the Directorate of Regional Indian Languages and Research (DRILR) at Manipur International University, set the tone for the event. In his keynote address, he emphasized how the recognition of Manipuri as a classical language would not just serve academic interests but also restore the cultural dignity of the Manipuri people. According to him, the Manipuri language stands firmly on the pillars of high antiquity, originality, and a distinct literary corpus, all of which make it eligible for classical status. The preservation of the language, he reminded the gathering, was a sacred responsibility of every Manipuri speaker.
The Academic Dialogue and Population Education Conference
The simultaneous hosting of the National Conference on Population Education added a scholarly depth to the occasion. Discussions at the conference revolved around the intersections between language, culture, and social awareness. The focus on population education might appear, at first glance, distant from the theme of language recognition, but the organizers had a broader vision. They sought to show how language is not an isolated cultural artifact but a tool of communication, empowerment, and education that touches upon every sphere of life, including demographic awareness and social policy.
Sessions featured prominent speakers who highlighted the importance of integrating indigenous languages like Manipuri into educational discourse on critical issues such as health, population growth, gender awareness, and sustainable development. Scholars argued that when communities are educated in their mother tongue, the impact of learning is deeper and more long-lasting. Thus, the celebration of Manipuri Language Day extended into a practical dialogue on how language and education together can empower people to face societal challenges.
The Call for Classical Status
One of the strongest demands raised during the event was the urgent call for Manipuri to be recognized as a classical language of India. The criteria for classical status, as laid down by the Government of India, include antiquity of early texts and recorded history, originality and a body of ancient literature, and a rich heritage considered valuable by generations of speakers. Manipuri, or Meiteilon, fulfills these requirements convincingly.
The language has an ancient script, Meetei Mayek, which has been revived in recent decades and reintroduced into schools and universities. Its literary tradition extends back centuries, encompassing religious texts, chronicles such as the Cheitharol Kumbaba (the royal chronicle of Manipur), poetry, folklore, and classical dance-theatre literature. Unlike many other Indian languages that share a large body of Sanskrit or Prakrit-derived vocabulary, Manipuri developed as a Tibeto-Burman language with its own unique phonetics, grammar, and lexicon. This distinctiveness strengthens the claim for classical status.
If recognized as classical, Manipuri would gain significant benefits. Special university departments dedicated to its study could be established, new research grants could support archival and linguistic documentation, and global scholarly exchange programs would elevate the language’s international profile. Importantly, the status would symbolize a validation of the Manipuri people’s cultural dignity. For a community that has often faced marginalization, this recognition would serve as an affirmation of their contribution to India’s pluralistic identity.
Performances and Awards: Honoring Excellence
No celebration of Manipuri Language Day would be complete without performances that showcased the community’s creative spirit. At Guwahati, the cultural program was enriched by the participation of talented individuals who brought music, dance, and spoken word to the stage. Their performances reminded the audience that Manipuri is not only a language of the past but also of the present, alive in every rhythm, melody, and performance of its speakers.
The event also witnessed the honoring of various performers and contributors to cultural and intellectual life. Among those recognized were:
Aarna Das, Hibak Pjoti Taldokar, Nibas Kumar Kashyap, Prince Haque, Dheemant Das, Manaha Das, Himanshu Das, Sagar Kalita, Debasish Nath, Abhinash Das, Uddit Barnal Kalita, Sharif Bulbul Hassan, Jay Prakash Gogoi, Sohel Tanbir, Jay Aditya Das, Kiranit Singha Hazari, Krishang Gowwami, Himanshu Das (honored twice for his contributions), Prasanta Das, Anaanya Kumari Kalita, Shivangi Boruah, Vanaji Saikia, Ayushi Sarma, Anshika Sharma, Poonam State, Arina Khan, Bobysmita Das, Pahi Choudhury, Bandita Deka, Anamika Das, Radhia Mazum, Neev Kr Kashyap, Deepiyoti Kashyap, and Aarna Gogoi.
The recognition of these individuals symbolized how the movement for Manipuri’s recognition has become a pan-community cause, transcending geographical and professional boundaries. Each awardee contributed in their own way to the celebration of culture and knowledge, thus reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.
Khoirom LOYALAKPA, Editor Naharolgi Thoudang received the Prof Dr R Subbakrishna memorial life time journalist Award for the year 2025 on the occasion of 34th Manipuri language day. Dr Yumnamcha Rajen honored with honorary Doctorate Award by Sahara Charitable trust. He also received Bharat pratibha Samman award 2025 for outstanding works on chiropractic and traditional healing
Leadership and Dignitaries
The celebration was further elevated by the presence of distinguished guests and dignitaries. Prof. Dr. Chanam Manglem Singh, former Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at RIMS and founder of Imphal Hospital and Research Center, presided over the function with grace and wisdom. His long-standing contributions to healthcare and social service resonated with the theme of education and empowerment.
The Functional President of the event was Longjam Thonglen Meitei, President of Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpanglup (AIMS), who delivered an inspiring address that reflected the aspirations of Manipuri youth. He stressed that language is not merely a tool of communication but the soul of a community. Recognizing Manipuri, he argued, would be tantamount to recognizing the resilience and contribution of its speakers.
Rajesh Jha, Hon’ble Founder and National President of Salute Tiranga and Vice Chairman of MOEFCCPC of India, was honored as a Guest of Honour. His presence symbolized the connection between national consciousness and regional pride, reinforcing the idea that Manipuri’s recognition is not just a local demand but a cause of national significance.
Other Guests of Honour included Th. Mahindra Singh, retired Subedar of the Indian Army, Ministry of Home Affairs; Sanjib Samar Deka, President of BJP Kishan Morcha, Guwahati City; and Jagbinder Singh, social worker and entrepreneur. Their presence underscored the wide-ranging support that the Manipuri cause enjoys beyond its immediate community.
The Larger Movement for Recognition
The Manipuri Language Day 2025 celebration was not an isolated event but part of a larger and sustained movement. Across India and abroad, Manipuri organizations, cultural groups, and individuals have been working for decades to push for recognition. The revival of the Manipuri script in schools and colleges is one such milestone that has reconnected younger generations with their roots. Archival projects that preserve oral traditions, manuscripts, and historical documents further strengthen the language’s claim to antiquity. Cultural programs staged across the diaspora have turned Manipuri into a global identity marker, allowing the community to retain its cohesion even in distant lands.
The demand for recognition has, therefore, grown into a pan-Manipuri cause, uniting people across regions, professions, and generations. At its heart lies a shared understanding: that the survival of a language ensures the survival of a worldview, a culture, and a people’s sense of self.
A Call to Action for Every Manipuri Speaker
One of the strongest messages that emerged from the 2025 celebration was that every Manipuri speaker has a role to play in this journey. Language movements succeed not merely because of the efforts of scholars and activists but because ordinary speakers use, cherish, and transmit the language in their daily lives. Parents are encouraged to speak Manipuri at home, teachers to incorporate it into classrooms, writers and artists to continue producing in their mother tongue, and youth to take pride in learning the script and literature.
Documentation projects also require community participation. Collecting oral histories, folk songs, proverbs, and local narratives ensures that Manipuri’s intangible heritage is not lost. Similarly, constructive advocacy—through petitions, academic conferences, cultural festivals, and media campaigns—can keep the demand for recognition alive in the national consciousness.
The Celebration as a Reminder of Diversity
Ultimately, the Manipuri Language Day 2025 celebration in Guwahati served as a poignant reminder of India’s extraordinary linguistic diversity. Each language in India represents not just a mode of communication but a worldview, a cultural treasure, and a historical journey. To lose a language is to lose a part of humanity’s collective heritage. By celebrating Manipuri, participants also reaffirmed their commitment to the broader cause of linguistic diversity and cultural pluralism in India.
The event’s combination of scholarship, cultural pride, and civic responsibility offered a model of how language movements can be both celebratory and strategic. It reminded everyone present that while recognition from the state is important, the real strength of a language lies in the love and loyalty of its speakers.
Looking Ahead
As the Manipuri community continues its advocacy, the celebration of 2025 may well be remembered as a turning point. The momentum generated by this event is expected to fuel further campaigns, research initiatives, and cultural projects aimed at securing classical status. For Manipuri speakers, the day was not only about honoring their heritage but also about envisioning a future where their language thrives globally, supported by academic institutions, recognized by the state, and cherished by generations to come.
The celebration at Guwahati closed with a collective sense of pride and determination. The Manipuri Language Day 2025 was not merely a commemoration of past achievements but a forward-looking affirmation that the Manipuri language, with its deep roots and vibrant present, deserves its rightful place among the classical languages of the world. It was a call for unity, a plea for recognition, and above all, a celebration of identity that will resonate for years to come.
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