The Bishnupriya or Bishnupriya Manipuri (বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by many in Barak Valley, Tripura, and Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Bishnupriya Manipuri language uses the Bengali alphabet as its writing system. The language is known to its speakers as Imar Thar (ইমার ঠার), meaning "Language of my Mother."
The term "Bishnupriya" is most probably derived from "Bishnupur" along with the suffix "-iya", meaning "people of 'Bishnupur', the old capital of Manipur. Orthodox Bishnupriyas hold that the language was carried over to Manipur by some immigrants from Dvārakā and Hastinapura just after the Mahabharata war. It is further said that these immigrants were led by Babhruvahana, the son of Chitrangada and Arjuna, the third Pandava. They fled en masse from Manipur and took refuge in Cachar, Tripura, and Sylhet during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries allegedly due to internal conflicts among the princes of Manipur.
In the post 60’s – a brave and dynamic leader, a devoted community worker and a great writer was revealed in Bishnupriya Manipuri Community. His Name was Jagat Mohan Sinha, former secretary of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, popularly known as ‘Jagatda’. He played a huge role in the language movement demanding recognition of Bishnupriya Manipuri Language in post 60’s and 70’s.
Another remarkable community worker and a dedicated leader is Late Sri Dinanath Singha of Tilakpur, Bangladesh. He worked throughout his entire life for the betterment of Bishnupriya Manipuri community living in Bangladesh. He worked as the president of Bangladesh Manipuri Samajkalyan Samitee which was joint platform of Bangladeshi Bishnupriyas, Meiteis and Pangans. In 1973 and 1975 a deputation leaded by him met the that time Prime-Minister and that time President of Bangladesh arguing to provide faculties for Manipuri students, patronizing Manipuri culture, construction of Manipuri Mandhavs and broadcasting Manipuri programs in the national media. As a result of his efforts, in 1976 the Govt of Bangladesh started telecast of regular programs from Radio Bangladesh, Sylhet station in Bishnupriya and Meitei language under a common Manipuri line.
The Bishnupriya’s have played a major role in adding to the beauty of Barak Valley’s multi-cultural identity. Barak Gana Parishad pays homage to the Martyrs Rajbabu Sinha and Sudeshna Sinha of the Bishnupriya Manipuri Language Movement. We shall remember them as they belonged to us.
BARAK GANA PARISHAD for SEPARATE BARAKLAND STATE
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