The Last Kangjei of Kanglei Sagol

Nishikanta Sagolsem
In 33 AD, an epochal year of great renown,
Nongda ascended the throne, and Kanglei’s civilization shone.
Ougree’s melodies resonated, and his people yearned,
For the beauty of Leishna, elegance and serenity that she shone,
Nongda introduced her to adorn Kanglei’s throne,
Deities to Goddess, was consecrated 'Kangla', and made known.
For grand festivities, Kangjei was played,
Marjing, Thangjing, Koubru, and Loya, in joyous shades.

The Deities played Sagol Kangjei, on the back of Kanglei Meitei Sagol,
Ipudhou! Kanglei pray thy till today, for the legacy to unfold.
Majestic steed, on your back, Kanglei and its civilization flourished,
It’s  territory expanded, and its people nourished.

Formidable and sovereign, rival kingdoms acquiesced,
Hail to thee, Nobel Kanglei Meitei Sagol!
Because of thee, the Kanglei kingdom prospered, and its culture thrived,

A legacy now fades, and a new chronology unfolds, with a story to survive.
A haunting vision I behold now, of Meitei Sagols remaining scarce,
No habitats nor grassland, I ponder where shall they roam?
2033 – A milestone year, or so it’s proclaimed?
Do Kanglei know its significance now, or has the knowledge been tamed?



2000 years of our civilization’s legacy unfold,
This land, this language, this civilization to be retold.
To fulfil ancestral legacy, His Majesty mounts the steed,
Kangla graced by souls of forgone,
The Umang Laiswitnessed the ritual with speed.

Lainingthou to Leimarel, gracing Kangla’s seats,
Pakhngba, showers blessing to his children, and their future feats.
Now his Majesty with players seek to play Kangjei here,
Marking completion of a milestone year, on this lunar year, with hope and cheer.

But alas, not a single Kanglei Meitei Sagol in sight,
His Majesty rode a majestic steed from afar, with a distant, fading light.
I ask, where were the Kanglei Sagols?
Answered the king, “They are nowhere to be seen”.

Then whose equine does Majesty ride?
“An exotic breed from France, I ride,” - with a hint of pride.
Gazing at the sight that I saw, a murmuring tone appears too low,
“Langoibadilamboire, Kanglei Langoi , Yaibiloi”