Resource Type

Degree Department

Retelling of the Epic of Rgyalam Gesar, part 1

The Epic of Gesar (also spelled Kesar) is one of the world's longest epics and is widely sung and narrated across the Tibetan Plateau and in parts of Central Asia. This grand narrative chronicles the life and adventures of the heroic figure, Gesar of Ling. The saga unfolds through numerous episodes, with one of its earliest segments detailing the miraculous birth of Gesar. Before this event, the kingdom of Ling found itself in dire need of a leader. In the inaugural episode, Tashi Zangmo from Sani village—one of the last remaining bards in Zangskar—narrates how Agu Gani, Gesar’s uncle and an elder in the kingdom, persuades the warrior God, Tshangspa Karpo, to bestow the kingdom of Ling with a king. This divine intervention culminates in the miraculous birth of Gesar. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Dolma, Yangchan
System: The UNT Digital Library
Discussion about Zangskari traditions and the winds of change captions transcript

Discussion about Zangskari traditions and the winds of change

In this enlightening discussion, Prof. Tadeusz Slupski of Poland, a visitor to Zangskar since November 1977, discusses the cultural shifts over the decades with a couple from Sani village. Slupski narrates the socio-cultural transformations he witnessed since his initial visit and invites the couple to expand on these changes from their firsthand experiences. They discuss the nuances of the architectural evolution of Zangskari houses, delving into traditional heating and lighting methods, recalling cherished olden poems, songs, and dances—emphasizing the "chham" (Chham) dance and costumes, and reminisce about traditional weddings marked by horseback marriage processions. Dr. Jamphel Sheyan, Assistant Professor of English at GMDC, skillfully interprets the conversation, bridging Zangskari and English. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Dolma, Yangchan
System: The UNT Digital Library

Discussion about language and cultural changes in Zangskar

Stanzin Choszin and her parents discuss the transformation Zangskar has witnessed in recent decades with Tshering Namgyal. Stanzin Choszin is a student at the Government Model Degree College (GMDC), Zangskar. Tshering Namgyal is a GMDC BA student. They discuss shifts in language, changing tastes in food and liquor, evolving work cultures, and matrimonial traditions. this discussion captures the essence of a rapidly transforming Zangskari society. Recorded at Choszin's residence in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Dolma, Yangchan
System: The UNT Digital Library
Discussion about Zangskari royal legacy and societal shifts captions transcript

Discussion about Zangskari royal legacy and societal shifts

In this insightful discussion, Gyafo (King) Phuntsok Dawa, the King of Padum, answers the questions raised on Zangskar and its history by Dr. Tadeusz Slupski, a regular visitor to Zangskar since 1977. Gyafo Dawa delves into the rich heritage of his lineage and the Zangskari royal family. He recounts the pivotal moment in June 1948 when Zangskar faced invasion from Pakistani forces, prompting his father and the entire family, accompanied by Kushok Bakula Rimpoche, to seek refuge in Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Slupski further inquires about the demographics of Zangskar, leading the discussion towards the significant societal and cultural changes Zangskar has experienced over the past four and a half decades, since he first visited. Recorded in Old Padum village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 9, 2022
Creator: Shaikh, Maaz
System: The UNT Digital Library

Discussion about changes in Zangskari culture and agricultural practices

In this recording, Kunzang Chhuskit, an elder from Sani village, discusses the changes in Zangskar's agricultural practices. Prompted by questions from Dr. Jamphel Sheyan and students of GMDC, Zangskar, Chhuskit contrasts the recent adoption of machine harvesting and flour grinding with the traditional practices of hand-harvesting and water-mill grinding. Additionally, she recounts a tale about a prince named Kargyen Chocho. Concluding her discourse, she touches upon transformations in the dowry system and the broader changes Zangskar has undergone in its journey towards development. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Namgyal, Tshering
System: The UNT Digital Library

Discussion about changes in language, culture, and lifestyle in Zangskar

This is a discussion with Norbu Tashi, an elder from the Sani village, about the shifts in language, culture, and lifestyle that Zangskar has witnessed over the recent years. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Dolma, Tshering
System: The UNT Digital Library

Discussion about changes in language, culture, and environment in Zangskar

This is a discussion with Tshering Tashi, a Lama (monk) at the Bardan Monastery, who hails from the Sani village. Lama Tashi delves into the shifts that have taken place in Zangskar in terms of language, culture, lifestyle, and the environment over recent years. He explains how these alterations have affected the local Zangskari populace. In addition, Lama Tashi addresses questions from the students of GMDC, Zangskar, about the observed transformations within Zangskar's monasteries. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.
Date: August 7, 2022
Creator: Dolma, Tshering
System: The UNT Digital Library
Raapa story  told by Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching captions transcript

Raapa story told by Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching

The story of Raapa as told by Bunghon Suungnem. A tiger, angry at being duped by Koreng, eats him. Koreng's sisters vow to marry whoever kills the tiger, and the only one able to do it is Raapa. Jealous, the other men conspire to kill Raapa, but he survives two attempts and tricks them so that they drown. In the end Koreng's sisters kill Raapa.
Date: August 26, 2009
Creator: Khullar, Rengpu Rex
System: The UNT Digital Library
Traditional story about the Creation of Villages narrated by  Bunghon Suungnem captions transcript

Traditional story about the Creation of Villages narrated by Bunghon Suungnem

Creation of Villages as told by Bunghon Suungnem. Recorded at Storytelling Event organized by Rengpu Rex Khullar and Harimohon Thounaojam at Phaaidam village.
Date: August 26, 2009
Creator: Khullar, Rengpu Rex
System: The UNT Digital Library
Traditional story about the Seven Sons captions transcript

Traditional story about the Seven Sons

The Story of Seven Sons as told by Angtoi Sankhil. A man is killed by a tiger, and as his six sons go to avenge him, he kills them too one by one. The mother is pregnant with a seventh son, who is able to foretell events while still in the womb. After the child learns how his father died, he goes to confront the tiger and his wife. He avoids the tiger's attempt to kill him, takes back his father's head from the tiger's possession, and vanquishes the tiger.
Date: August 26, 2009
Creator: Khullar, Rengpu Rex
System: The UNT Digital Library
Conversation about a workshop captions transcript

Conversation about a workshop

Recording of Shobhana Chelliah and Sumshot Khular discussing verb paradigms in Imphal at the Classic Grande before presentation at the Manipuri Language Cell workshop for language pedagogy.
Date: August 3, 2018
Creator: Basumatary, Prafulla
System: The UNT Digital Library
Analytical discussion on inflection with Daniel Tholung captions transcript

Analytical discussion on inflection with Daniel Tholung

Recording of Daniel Tholung and Shobhana Chelliah discussing inflection in Lamkang at Thamlakhuren in Tony Khular' s house.
Date: August 10, 2018
Creator: Chelliah, Shobhana Lakshmi
System: The UNT Digital Library
Analytical discussion of minimal pairs contrasting [tl] and [thl] captions transcript

Analytical discussion of minimal pairs contrasting [tl] and [thl]

Swamy Tholung (Ksen) reviews a carefully constructed list of minimal pairs contrasting [tl] and [tlh].
Date: August 9, 2018
Creator: Chelliah, Shobhana Lakshmi
System: The UNT Digital Library

Monologue about a master and his helper

This is a monologue by Muhammad Aslam (a 38-year old male teacher) about a master and his domestic help. The master asks his helper to bring a sharpening tool and the helper brings sand instead. He could not differentiate between the two words because they were homophonous. The other native speaker present during this recording is Gohar-Ur Rehman (a 39-year old male shopkeeper).
Date: August 18, 2020
Creator: Aurangzeb
System: The UNT Digital Library

Personal narrative about the early life of Muhammad Younas

This is a personal narrative by Muhammad Younas (a 60-year old male and retired factory worker) about a time when he was working in Karachi. Muhammad Younas talks about his life in Karachi, other community members who lived there, and some incidents that happened during that time. The other speaker present during this recording is Abdul Qayoum (a 60-year old male).
Date: August 26, 2020
Creator: Aurangzeb
System: The UNT Digital Library

Retelling of the story of the thirsty crow

This is a retelling of the story of the thirsty crow by Akbar Khan (a 46-year old male teacher). Once upon a time, a crow was very thirsty. He flew in search of water and saw a pitcher. He sat on the pitcher to drink water, but the surface of the water was low and he could not reach it. He then gathered some small pebbles and put them in the pitcher one by one. The water level raised. He drank water and flew away. The other speaker present during this recording is Gohar-Ur Rehman (a 40-year old male shopkeeper).
Date: August 18, 2020
Creator: Aurangzeb
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of the traditional song 'Salu la'

Group performance of a traditional song called 'Salu la,' animal-head-song. This song was composed and sung during a successful trip hunting of large animals.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Description of Saihriem village administration

Chungpu Chongloi describes Saihriem village administration practices for handling conflict and crime within the village. He is a native speaker of Saihriem from Noxa Tila, Cachar District, Assam.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of the traditional song 'Thoilhing leh Ngambom'

Thangjanei Aimol sings another version of a song composed in memory of the great lovers Thoilhing and Ngambom. She is a native speaker of Saihriem and a resident of Noxa Tila, Cachar District, Assam, around 65 years old at the time of recording.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of the traditional song 'Thoilhing leh Ngambom'

Thangjanei Aimol sings one version of a song composed in memory of the great lovers Thoilhing and Ngambom. She is a native speaker of Saihriem and a resident of Noxa Tila, Cachar District, Assam, around 65 years old at the time of recording.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of a traditional Saihriem song

Group performance of a traditional Saihriem song.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Performance of a traditional Saihriem song

Group performance of a traditional Saihriem song.
Date: August 17, 2012
Creator: Haokip, Pauthang
System: The UNT Digital Library

Pena Phaibok of Laihui

Video of a performance by the Laihui ensemble of pena players at Marjing Mayanglambam's weaning ceremony where the baby eats solid food for the first time. Ballads includes a portion from Moirang Kangleirol. The event was organized in Keishamthong by Mayanglambam Mangangsana.
Date: August 13, 2000
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Discussion on the Lamkang verb system in Imphal Manipur. captions transcript

Discussion on the Lamkang verb system in Imphal Manipur.

A lecture on verb system of Lamkang to the Lamkang and Manipuri speakers at the Manipur Language Department, Imphal. Attended by Prof. Yashwanta Singh, HoD Linguistics Department, Manipur University and various other professors from different colleges.
Date: August 8, 2018
Creator: Basumatary, Prafulla
System: The UNT Digital Library