Details of Thang-Ta Game :: Part 1
- Indian Martial Arts -
Recognised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

* H. Premkumar Singh

Thang-Ta is an indigenous martial arts of Manipur, a tiny state in the north-eastern part of India. It is also traditionally known as Huyen Langlon, Huyen means War Langlon means Knowledge of Art. It imparts physical, moral and spiritual education besides giving bodily exercise and training in the form of martial arts that aims at implanting habits which will be beneficial through life and useful both individual as well as the Nation.

Thang-Ta covers the integral arts of Thang (sword), Ta (spear), Sharit-Sharak (defensive and offensive techniques of fighting with or without weapons), Sajen Kanglon (physical exercise), Thengouron (spiritual arts), Ningsha kanglon (breathing exercise), Layeng kanglon (natural medical education ), Hirikonba ( meditation ), and other vital arts of warfare. It was a compulsory subject in the military training while Manipur was a princely state.

Thang-Ta competitions and games were conducted before the king of Manipur. In short, each and every Manipuri had to learn Thang-Ta. Now, the Thang-Ta martial arts has become so popular that it has been demonstrated not only in many states of India but in many countries also. Number of workshops cum demonstrations have also been conducted equally.

This has been so due to tireless efforts and energy put in by the eminent Gurus and devotion of the students. It is also fit to mention that the Govt, of Manipur as well as the Govt, of India are trying their best to promote this indigenous martial arts of Manipur.

Their enthusiasm and encouragement are evident in their awarding National Fellow, National Award, Padamashree Award to the prominent Gurus of Thang-Ta and Scholarships to the young learners of Thang-Ta every year.

The long and incessant power struggle among her clans and frequent wars with other neighboring Kingdoms brought Manipur almost to the brink of devastation. But the cherished desire of the people to remain independent in the face of all odds gave the Manipuris a thrust in the development of their glorious martial tradition.

The Manipuri Thang-Ta, replete with unique forms of defensive and offensive fights, naturally evolved against this warlike background of the ancient kingdom. The Meiteis not only attained higher skills in Thang-Ta but also developed their games and sports like Sagol Kangjei (Polo), Mukna (Manipuri wrestling), Khong Kangjei (Manipuri style of hockey ) and Yubilakpi (Rugby) etc. These were also organized in a warlike manner to keep every male person fit for any eventuality.

If we have to know the background to the culture of Thang-Ta, we have to be aware of the geography of the land, the ecological environment and the ancient history of settlers of the land. The state of Manipur was affirmed by a beautiful, oblong, fertiled valley surrounded on all sides by the hills. The hills were settled by many different tribal groups.

The valley was settle by seven different clans known as Angom, Luwang, Ningthouja, Khuman, Khaba-Nganba, Moirang, and Sarang Leishangthem. Each group or clan was known as "Salai" or "Yek" (Sibs/Clans), having an independent principality of each clan. These clans, though related, were always in constant warfare amongst each other before the integration of the clans into one nationhood, now known as the "Meitei".

The Manipuris were not only adepts in using swords and spears, but they were also skillful in using different forms of weapons like "Long" a multipronged type of spear, "Sairong", a peculiar bow for shooting mud pellets, Ten, bow and arrow and "Arambai" a peculiar type of dart made of peacock quills fitted with pointed and poisoned iron heads", and flying with great force inflicted a fatal wound wherever it struck".

T.C. Hudson in his book "The Meitheis" wrote "The cavalry of Manipur, better known as the Cassary Horse, fought both for and against us in the first Burmese War. Their weapon was the arambai or dart". Quoting Brown , he further writes, "In pursuing, the arambai was thrown in front, and in retreating was useful in throwing behind and impeding the enemy".

Martial Arts of the Manipuris were not simply the ability to wield weapons, to fight with physical strength and skill alone. The art included much deeper spiritual exercise which enabled the martial man to cope with other forces beyond human knowledge and comprehension. Metal and psychic powers were also commanded by him. Half of his orientation was on physical strength, flexibility and skills in weaponry and other practices, and the other half included deep spiritual control and exercise which were of the internal nature.

Ritual before proceeding to war and hunt were part of the system inculcated in the life of the warrior. They believed in sacrificial offerings etc. so that they may be endowed with victory. For example, King Kiyamba sacrificed a mithun at the foot of Khari hill before his venture to conquer "Kabo Kiyang" (1470 AD) Cheitharol Kumbaba. The vailent warriors observed strict code of conduct even in the killing of enemies and animals. Ritual performances such as "Sachak Lanchak Thakpa" were organised to exonerate from an undesirable killing and to please the spirits.

TECHNICAL TERMS OF THANG-TA TRAINING :

KHUTLON (HAND ART) :

For flexible wrist which is most important in sword play Khujeng Leibi exercise. The possessor of the flexible wrist (Khujeng Nouba) often gets on top in combat practices. A flexible wrist is the best exemplified in decorative sword play as well as in the execution of strokes. For wrist circling a special technique is required.

The two hands, with one hyperextended and the other flexed in opposite direction, begin circling along the line with the position of the heart. While the right palm is downward facing, the left palm is upward facing, and two wrists are nearly joined together. The upward facing palm turns to come on top while the other goes down. The reverse action of this pattern is used in Thang alone, not in dances.

The Thang wrist play reverse action is termed Khujeng Leibi Hanba. The Khujeng Leibi exercise gradually expands to engulf to defend the whole parts of the body and also while organising strikes on the enemy.

TA (SPEAR) :

For getting proficiency in handling Ta, the Manipuri still practice a kind of systematic exercise by holding Chung and Ta, popularly known as "Ta Khousaba" (Spear Lesson). This special form of exercise aims at attaining the utmost dexterity of hands and legs and study physique through mainly muscular movements involving all parts of the body.

There are slight variation in handling Ta with swordsmanship in posture and stances etc. There are many thematic stages in the very system of Ta-Khousaba. They are Leitai-Nongdai Khurumba, Leinik Hanba, Shou Kaiba, Sou Netpa, Khong Shetpa, Leikhotpa, Lan Yengba, Lan Koiba, Sa-Thatpa, Sa-Thinba etc.

The Khousarol are of nine principal varieties with a special name for each

1. Maram Nungsetpa,
2. Maram Achouba,
3. Maram Macha,
4. Kabui,
5. Athou,
6. Tangkhul
7. Khunjao Leichao,
8. Khuntak Leitak and
9. Meitei etc.

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