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{{Short description|Eyes in Meitei civilization}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

'''Eyes ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Latn|Mamit{{small|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "mamit") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A4%EA%AF%A0&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=140 |language=mni, en |quote=mamit ꯃꯃꯤꯠ /mə́.mit/ n. one's eye; eye of an animal or any other thing. Morph: ma‑mit [3pp‑eye].}}</ref>}}/Mit{{small|<ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "mit") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A4%EA%AF%A0&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=148 |language=mni, en}}</ref>}}|}}|}})''' play crucial roles in different elements of [[Meitei culture]], including but not limited to [[Meitei dances]] ([[Jagoi]]s), [[Meitei festivals]], [[Meitei folklore]], [[Meitei folktales]], [[history of Manipur|Meitei history]], [[Meitei language]], [[Meitei literature]], [[Meitei mythology]], [[Meitei proverbs]], [[traditional Meitei religion]] ([[Sanamahism]]), [[Meitei writing system]], etc.

[[File:Ancient Meitei letter "MIT" (M) - meaning as well as representing "eye".jpg|thumb|Ancient Meitei letter "MIT" (M) - meaning as well as representing "eye"]]

== Terms in Meitei language ==
{| class="wikitable"
! [[Meitei language]] words
! [[Romanisation]]
! English translations
! [[Morphology (linguistics)|Morphology]]
! Note(s)
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ}}|}}
| /mit/
| eye
|
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "mit") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A4%EA%AF%A0&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=148 |language=mni, en}}</ref>
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯀꯨꯠ}}|}}
| /mit ~ kut/
| to have sunken eyes
| ~ kut- [~ to be sunken]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯉꯞ}}|}}
| mit ~ ngap- (/mit ~ ŋəp/)
| to feel uncomfortable in the eyes
| ~ ngap- [~ to feel uneasy]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯇꯥꯡ}}|}}
| mit ~ tāng (/mit ~ táŋ/)
| to be blind
| ~ tāng- [~ to be scarce]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯊꯛ}}|}}
| mit ~ thak- (/mit ~ tʰək/)
| to be dazzled
| ~ thak- [~ to be dazzled]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯊꯧ}}|}}
| mit ~ thou- (/mit ~ tʰəu/)
| to be quick to see
| ~ thou- [~ to be sharp]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯀꯔꯥꯝ}}|}}
| mitna karām- (/mit.nə kə.rám/)
| to take (food, etc.) on one's own plate more than (s)he can eat
| mit‑na ka [eye‑Nominative; room‑to be hungry]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯀꯨꯞꯄꯗ}}|}}
| mitna kuppada (/mit.nə kup.pə.də/)
| in a moment
| mit‑na kup‑pa‑da [eye‑Nominative; to cover‑Nom‑Locative]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯅꯥ}}|}}
| mit ~ nā- (/mit ~ na/)
| to suffer from conjunctivitis; to be unpleasant to look at
| ~ nā- [~ to suffer]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯄꯦꯟ}}|}}
| mit ~ pen- (/mit~ pén/)
| to be pleasing to watch
| ~ pen- [~ to satisfy]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯌꯥꯝ}}|}}
| mit ~ yām- (/mit ~ yam/)
| to manage a relationship with more than one partner in love affair, etc.
| ~ yām- [~ to be many]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯌꯨ}}|}}
| mit ~ yu-
| to fail to see
| ~ yu- [~ to leak]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯁꯤꯡ}}|}}
| mit ~ sing- (/mit ~ siŋ/)
| to be alert
| ~ sing- [~ to be wise]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯁꯨꯛ}}|}}
| mit ~ suk-
| to frown
| ~ suk- [~ to be dense]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| {{lang|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯠ ꯁꯦꯞ}}|}}
| mit ~ sep-
| to be cross-eyed
| ~ sep- [~ to remain unbalanced]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯀꯨꯞ
| mitkup (/mit.kup/)
| moment
| mit‑kup [eye‑to cover]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?page=149 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=149 |language=mni, en}}</ref>
|-
|
| mitkup nāhum sing- (/mit.kup na.hum siŋ/)
| to be alert
| mit‑kup nā‑hum sing- [eye‑to cover; ear‑to blow; to be wise]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
|
| mitkupta (/mit.kup.tə/)
| in a moment
| mit‑kup‑ta [eye‑to cover‑Locative]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯆꯥꯅ-
| mitcāna- (/mit.cá.nə/)
| to lock one’s eyes with those of another person
| mit‑cā‑na [eye‑to suit‑Reciprocal]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯆꯤ
| mitci (/mit.ci/)
| corner of the eye
| mit‑ci [eye‑corner]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯇꯥꯡꯕ
| mittāngba (/mit.táŋ.bə/)
| a blind person
| mit‑tāng‑ba [eye‑to be scarce‑Nom]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯊꯨꯞ
| mitthup (/mit.tʰup/)
| a fine groove on the upper eyelid
| mit‑thup [eye‑to fold]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯊꯧ
| mitthou (/mit.tʰəu/)
| stye
| mit‑thou [eye‑to be sharp]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯅꯍꯥ
| mitnahā (/mit.nə.ha/)
| pupil (of eye)
| mit‑nahā [eye‑youth]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠ ꯅꯥ
| mit nā (/mit na/)
| facial organs
| mit nā [eye ear]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
|
| mit nā singna lei- (/mit na siŋ.nə ləi/)
| to stay alert
| mit nā sing‑na lei [eye‑ear; to be wise‑Adverb; to stay]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯄꯥꯟ
| mitpān (/mit.pan/)
| rim of eyelid
| mit‑pān [eye‑edge]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯌꯦꯡ
| mityeng (/mit.yeŋ/)
| view; glance
| mit‑yeng [eye‑to look at]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
|
| mit ~ tā- (/mit ~ ta/)
| to look at
| ~ tā- [~ to fall]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯂꯝ ꯅꯥꯔꯝ
| mitlam nāram (/mit.lə́m na.rə́m/)
| sensation perceived by eyes, ears, etc.
| mit‑lam nā‑ram [eye‑path; ear‑path]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
|
| mit ~ khang- (/mit ~ kʰə́ŋ/)
| to be dexterous, skilful
| ~ khang- [~ to know]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯂꯨ
| mitlu (/mit.lu/)
| inward corner of the eye
| mit‑lu [eye‑to be deep]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|-
| ꯃꯤꯠꯁꯥꯡ
| mitsāng (/mit.saŋ/)
| rheum: a whitish sticky discharge from the mucous membranes of the eyes
| mit‑sāng [eye‑id.]
| <ref name=":eyes_dsal.uchicago.edu_149" />
|}

== In Meitei writing system ==
{|
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Ancient Meitei character "MIT" (ꯃ) represents as well as means "eye".jpg|thumb|Ancient Meitei character "MIT" (ꯃ) represents as well as means "[[eye]]"]]
|[[File:Meetei Mayek letter MIT LONSUM (M).svg|thumb|90px|{{small|Smaller "MIT", known as "MIT LONSUM"}}]]
|}
{|
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Ancient Meitei character "PAA" (ꯄ) represents as well as means "eyelash".jpg|thumb|Ancient Meitei character "PAA" (ꯄ) represents as well as means "[[eyelash]]"]]
|[[File:Meetei Mayek letter PA LONSUM (P).svg|thumb|90px|{{small|Smaller "PAA", known as "PAA LONSUM"}}]]
|}

The traditional [[Meitei writing system]] has four letters, related to eye. The letter "ꯃ" ("Mit") symbolises the human eye, and its letter name "Mit" itself means "eye" in [[Meitei language]]. It has an additional form of letter, known as "Mit Lonsum" ("ꯝ"). The letter "ꯄ" ("Paa") symbolises the human eyelash, and its letter name "Paa" itself means "eyelash" in Meitei. It has an additional form of letter, known as "Pa Lonsum" ("ꯞ").<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ghai |first1=Deepika |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lvScEAAAQBAJ&dq=meitei+script+eye+eyelash&pg=PA130 |title=Machine Learning Algorithms for Signal and Image Processing |last2=Tripathi |first2=Suman Lata |last3=Saxena |first3=Sobhit |last4=Chanda |first4=Manash |last5=Alazab |first5=Mamoun |date=2022-11-18 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-119-86184-3 |pages=130 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Meetei Mayek or Meetei script chart |date=2009 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/court-chronicle-of-the-kings-of-manipur/meetei-mayek-or-meetei-script-chart/788010CFE8284F1940148DAFFAC6F262 |work=The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur |pages=145–148 |editor-last=Arambarn Parratt |editor-first=Saroj Nalini |access-date=2023-10-16 |publisher=Foundation Books |doi=10.1017/UPO9788175968547.006 |isbn=978-81-7596-854-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meetei Mayek: The Script |url=http://tabish.freeshell.org/eeyek/script/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=tabish.freeshell.org}}</ref>

== Divine eyes {{anchor|All-seeing eye|Eye of Providence}} ==
{{Main|Eye of Providence}}
In [[Meitei mythology]] and [[traditional Meitei religion]], god Salailen (alias Soraren) and his wife [[Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi]] are well noted for their ''"divine eyes"'', or ''"all-seeing eyes"''.

=== All-seeing eyes of Salailen ===

When goddess [[Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi]] descended from heaven down to earth and visited her native human parents, she consumed earthly foods and drinks, despite being warned in advance, by her husband Salailen, not to do so, even if her own parents insisted her. To avoid being seen by Salailen from heaven, Tampha's parents arranged {{langnf|mni|Phijang Taret|seven layers of [[Canopy (architecture)|canopies]]}}, installed in the place where Tampha was relishing her foods and drinks. However, Salailen was [[omniscient]] and thus have the all-seeing eyes. So, he witnessed the scene, thereby resulting to ban his wife from entering heaven ever again.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three millennia mythology still resonates at Konthoujam Lairembi By Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.Three_millennia_mythology_still_resonates_at_Konthoujam_Lairembi_By_Phanjoubam_Chingkheinganba|access-date=2022-03-01|website=www.e-pao.net|archive-date=2022-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218053756/http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.Three_millennia_mythology_still_resonates_at_Konthoujam_Lairembi_By_Phanjoubam_Chingkheinganba|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharyya |first=Rituparna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DEZ1EAAAQBAJ&dq=Sorarel&pg=PT188 |title=Northeast India Through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History |date=2022-07-29 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |isbn=978-1-000-62390-1 |pages=188 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raatan |first=T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-tv9WOAVh5AC&dq=soraren&pg=PA183 |title=Encyclopaedia of North-east India |date=2004 |publisher= Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-274-9 |pages=183 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1000 eyes of Tampha Lairembi {{anchor|All-seeing eyes of Tampha Lairembi}} ===
After their marriage, God Salailen granted 1000 eyes and 1000 ears to his wife, [[Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi]], to please her. Thus, she attained [[omniscience]].
It was through these powers that once Tampha, besides living in heaven, could sense the smokes of a funeral and the mourning sounds of people coming from the earth.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lisam |first=Khomdan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6d-IyINtk4C&dq=salailen&pg=PA680 |title=Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.) |date=2011 |publisher= Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-864-2 |pages=680 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharyya |first=Rituparna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DEZ1EAAAQBAJ&dq=Sorarel&pg=PT188 |title=Northeast India Through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History |date=2022-07-29 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |isbn=978-1-000-62390-1 |pages=188 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Raatan |first=T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-tv9WOAVh5AC&dq=soraren&pg=PA183 |title=Encyclopaedia of North-east India |date=2004 |publisher= Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-274-9 |pages=183 |language=en}}</ref>

== Evil eyes ==
{{See|Evil eye}}
In [[Meitei mythology]], [[Meitei folklore|folklore]] and [[Meitei religion|religion]], there is a belief of {{langnf|mni|Hingchabi Changba|evil eyes}} of the {{langnf|mni|[[Hingchabi]]|evil spirits/possessors}}.
It is a supernatural phenomenon of the full control of a victim's body by a spirit, mentally and physically. Its common causes are the desires of the very spirit for eating or having something it desires. Usually, the victims of such incidence are women. Symptoms include abnormal behaviours like shivering, crying, laughing, frothing, difficulty in breathing, etc. Its treatments or [[exorcism]] are usually done by a [[Maiba]] by performing rites and rituals for warding off the evil spirit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnomedical Practice in Manipur: A Case of Evil Eye |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321218281}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Magic Art of Witchcraft and Black Magic |url=https://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0615/ijsrp-p4203.pdf |quote=“Evil-Eye” is also a Black art used in Manipur. Certain people possess this power that causes severe stomach- ache, falling of teeth and even destruction of ...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES IN KAKCHING DISTRICT OF MANIPUR |url=http://mzuir.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/819/1/MAYANGLAMBAM%20ALISHA%20DEVI,%20History.pdf |quote=a man who performed the rituals of healing Hingchabi Changba (Evil Eye); ...}}</ref>

In [[Meitei language]], evil eyes are also known as “minu” ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯅꯨ}}|{{Script|Latn|/mí.nú/}}|}}) and “being affected with other's evil eye” is known as “minu changba” ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯅꯨ ꯆꯪꯕ}}|{{Script|Latn|/mí.nú ~ cə́ŋ/}}|}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "minu") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A4%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%A8&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=149 |language=mni, en}}</ref>

== Eye contact ==
In the performances of [[traditional Meitei dances]], there is a strict rule that dancers should not have any forms of eye contact with the spectators or the audiences. If the rules are not followed properly, then it is considered as a [[sacrilege]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baral |first=Kailash C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uE2_EAAAQBAJ&dq=meitei+eye+contact&pg=PA165 |title=Cultural Forms and Practices in Northeast India |date=2023-05-16 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-981-19-9292-6 |pages=165 |language=en}}</ref>

== Pythons' eyes ==
Some [[Meitei people]] used to adore pythons' eyes as [[amulets]] in the protective rings they wore at their fingers.
The preserved pythons' eyes are usually small in size, hard in texture, not quite round in shape, and milky opaque in colour. Real pythons' eyes are very hard to get, thereby leading to the manufacturing of the replicas of the much coveted python eye rings, notably sold at the [[Ima Keithel]], Manipur's largest market.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wouters |first=Jelle J. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HrptEAAAQBAJ&dq=meitei+python+eyes&pg=PA205 |title=Vernacular Politics in Northeast India: Democracy, Ethnicity, and Indigeneity |date=2022-05-16 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-267826-3 |pages=205 |language=en}}</ref>

Some [[Meitei people]] believe in the ''positive attention, good fortune, guard against {{langnf|mni|awa ana|bad happenings}} and the unhindered travelling to desired places.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wouters |first=Jelle J. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HrptEAAAQBAJ&dq=meitei+python+eyes&pg=PA205 |title=Vernacular Politics in Northeast India: Democracy, Ethnicity, and Indigeneity |date=2022-05-16 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-267826-3 |pages=205 |language=en}}</ref>

According to Jelle J. P. Wouters, the charm of pythons' eyes is a three sided charismatic relative materialism of the linkages between (1) [[Pakhangba]] and kingship, (2) pythons and [[Pakhangba]], and (3) kingship and pythons.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wouters |first=Jelle J. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HrptEAAAQBAJ&dq=meitei+python+eyes&pg=PA219 |title=Vernacular Politics in Northeast India: Democracy, Ethnicity, and Indigeneity |date=2022-05-16 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-267826-3 |pages=219 |language=en}}</ref>

== In dolls, idols and sculptures ==
=== Dolls ===
The eye portions of the {{Langnf|mni|laidhibi|traditional Meitei dolls}}{{efn|also known as “Ita Laiphadibee”}} are considered to be the most difficult part of crafting. These eyes are actually sewn on the face, using threads of different colours, usually black.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laiphadibi: The Cloth Dolls that Guard and Guide Manipuri People |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/laiphadibi-cloth-dolls-guard-and-guide-manipuri-people |access-date=2023-10-16 |website= |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Laiphadibi : Cloth Dolls of Manipur – Asia InCH – Encyclopedia of Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://asiainch.org/craft/dolls-toys-of-manipur/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-25 |title=LAIPHADIBI: THE MAKING, EVOLUTION AND PROCESS PART II – MASH India |url=https://www.mashindia.com/laiphadibi-evolution-and-process-part-ii/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Idols ===
In [[Meitei Hindu]] culture, idols of Hindu deities like [[Shree Shree Govindajee Temple|Shri Govindaji]], [[Radha Krishna]], [[Balarama|Baldev]], etc. are crafted having extreme care and attention, specifically to the eye portions. The process of the installation of the eyes to the gods' idols is called “Nayan Chanba” ({{translation|the placing of eyes}}).{{efn|Here, “Nayan” is a Sanskrit term for “eye” and “Chanba” is a [[Meitei language]] term for installation.}}
In this procedure, pieces of conch shells are extracted and sculpted in the forms of eyes. Later, these eyes are attached to the idol applying a mixture of camphor and kerosene as its gluing substance.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Devi |first=Jamini |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wLzDLsEYZGQC&dq=meitei+idol+eyes&pg=PA31 |title=Cultural History of Manipur: Sija Laioibi and the Maharas |date=2010 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-8324-342-1 |pages=31 |language=en}}</ref>

== In Pung Cholom ==

[[File:Meitei and English bilingual description of the different body parts of a Pung Cholom performing artist, a classical Meitei ritualistic musical & dancing performing art form of Manipur (Kangleipak).jpg|thumb|[[Meitei language|Meitei]] and English bilingual description of the different body parts used by an artist while performing [[Pung Cholom]] art]]

In [[Pung Cholom]] performing art form of the [[Meiteis]], eyes play a crucial role since every actions are done through vision.
There are three different kinds of the way of looking, on the basis of the distance between the eyes and the objects to be seen.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Leitanthem Santosh |title=The Motor Skills for Performing Manipuri Pung Cholom |date=2021-12-10 |url=https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/view/49 |journal=ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=151–160 |doi=10.29121/shodhkosh.v2.i2.2021.49 |issn=2582-7472|doi-access=free }}</ref>
The types are (1) {{langnf|mni|anakpa|nearby}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "anakpa") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%91%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%9B%EA%AF%84&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=7 |language=mni, en |quote=1) ꯑꯅꯛꯄ anakpa (p. 7) anakpa ꯑꯅꯛꯄ /ə.nək.pə/ adj. nearby. Morph: a‑nak‑pa [Att‑to be near‑Nom].}}</ref> (about 2.6m of distance between eyes and objects), (2) {{langnf|mni|mayai|middle/center}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "mayai") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%8C%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%8F&matchtype=default |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=140 |language=mni, en |quote=mayāi ꯃꯌꯥꯏ /mə.yái/ n. middle; centre. Morph: ma‑yāi [NM‑middle\centre].}}</ref> (about 4.3m of distance between eyes and objects), and (3) {{langnf|mni|arappa|far/distant}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |others=[[University of Chicago]] |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Definition of "arappa") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%91%EA%AF%94%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%9E%EA%AF%84&searchhws=yes |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[Digital South Asia Library]] |page=11 |language=mni, en |quote=ꯑꯔꯥꯞꯄ arāppa (p. 11) arāppa ꯑꯔꯥꯞꯄ /ə.rap.pə/ adj. far; distant; not near. Morph: a‑rāp‑pa [Att‑to be far‑Nom].}}</ref> (about 6m of distance between eyes and objects).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Leitanthem Santosh |title=The Motor Skills for Performing Manipuri Pung Cholom |date=2021-12-10 |url=https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/view/49 |journal=ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=151–160 |doi=10.29121/shodhkosh.v2.i2.2021.49 |issn=2582-7472|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Animals in Meitei culture]]
* [[Birds in Meitei culture]]
* [[Hills and mountains in Meitei culture]]
* [[Plants in Meitei culture]]
* [[Women in Meitei culture]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==

* {{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Meitei |first1=Sanjenbam Yaiphaba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c276DwAAQBAJ |title=The Cultural Heritage of Manipur |last2=Chaudhuri |first2=Sarit K. |last3=Arunkumar |first3=M. C. |date=2020-11-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-29637-2 |language=en}}

[[Category:Eyes in culture]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]

Eyes in Meitei culture - Revision history