Luipa - Nomenclature and Etymology

Nomenclature and Etymology

Although the Tibetan translation for Lui is the fish gut eater (Nya Ito zhabs), the root of the word is probably Old Bengali lohita (rohita), a type of fish (Labeo rohita) and the names like Luidhar, Luichandra and Luiya mentioned in Dharmamangalkavyas of late medieval period originated from the same root.

Ayyappapanicker & Akademi (1997: p. 599) amplify the view of prior scholarship in that the nomenclature "Luipa" is related to the poet's earlier time spent on the riverbank of the Brahmaputra, the "Luit" and that his vocabulary and diction are old Assamese:

"Several scholars, such as K. L. Barua and Dimbeswar Neog, hold the view that his poetic name is reminiscent of his earlier days spent on the bank of the Luit, i.e. the Brahmaputra. His vocabulary and diction are clearly old Assamese."