Song from a Relief Camp
Today, the May 3rd, 2024, marked the one-year long ongoing ethnic conflict, resulting in over 200 casualties and the displacement of approximately 60,000 individuals from the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, a northeastern state of India
Today, the May 3rd, 2024, marked the one-year long ongoing ethnic conflict, resulting in over 200 casualties and the displacement of approximately 60,000 individuals from the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, a northeastern state of India
Akhu Chingangbam, the frontman of Imphal Talkies, said, "To remember and commemorate our collective experience, we released the song 'Chingya gee Khangpokshang' (My Little Hut by the Hillside) on this day." The song, part of the children's music project "A Native Tongue Called Peace," initiated in 2015, was written and recorded in collaboration with children from a Relief camp in Phayeng, Imphal West district. These young voices were captured in a makeshift studio at the relief camp. In addition to 'Chingya gee Khangpokshang,' more than six songs have been produced under 'A Native Tongue Called Peace,' featuring children from diverse ethnic backgrounds across Manipur," Chingangbam added.
Chingya-gee-Khangpokshang I My little hut by the hillside
(Song from a Relief Camp)
My black tabby cat,
Where have you gone?
My winged bird parrot,
Where have you flown to?
Often visited in my dreams,
My little hut by the hillside.
Although burnt down to ashes,
My cherished village by the hillside.
I’ve been away for so long,
So long.
I am coming home,
I am flying home.
Lush green paddy fields
Are waiting for me.
All my friends in hills
Are waiting for me.
I’ve been away for so long,
So long.
We can forget the scars
When the children can play
and run like the wind across hills and valleys.
No one is going to win this war,
Except the men in power.
Breakdown the walls across
Hills and valleys.
