JNMDA's festival of Thang-Ta

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Thang-Ta - by JN Dance Academy Students on 1 April 2012 :: Pix - Phurailatpam Banti

Manipur is a small state in size but a strong nation in comparison with other big states. It lived more than two thousand years as an independent state because of its strong martial life tradition. Martial life and martial art have been a part of Manipuri's life style. Thang-Ta is the name of Manipuri martial art. So, in early period, the learning of Thang-ta was compulsory for every youths of the state. Thang-ta actively safeguarded its independence for a long time against enemies.

Manipur is also famous for its rich tradition of performing arts. Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art has influenced various forms of Manipuri performing arts. Famous Nat Sankirtana and Manipuri classical dance have been benefited from Thang-ta or Manipuri martial arts. During British's colonial period, learning of Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art banned because of its strong patriotic inspiration on mind of youths of this state.

Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art reduced to an outdated art form or found no place in this fast coming modern education system or western education system. And among this day's sophisticated weapon system Thang-ta has no place as a weapon. Now, every Manipuris considered learning of Thang-ta or Manipuri martial has maintained martial life tradition in Manipuri life style.

Moreover, many considered though Manipur is a small state but power house in sports because of its long tradition of martial life. By knowing the importance of Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art by progressive thinker of modern India in general and Manipur in particular nourishes Thang-ta or Manipuri martial arts by establishing various institutions like Jawaharal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA), Imphal.

Earlier, learning of Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art was scattered and loose form at various parts of the state. There's no formal institution for learning of Thang-ta. So, growth of Thang-ta was slow. After coming JNMDA to this state, learning of Thang-ta became into the core of formal education system. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has opened a diploma course in Thang-ta as a distance education system. Even, at University level many scholars got Ph.D. degree for studying Thang-ta or Manipuri martial arts.

Even such atmosphere, Thang-ta has little place in academic circle. No modern authentic books were found and its presence was only in Guru-Shishya parampara. Modern system of seminar, conference and workshop were done at minimum level. There's no authentic body or institution to connect all these organizations or bodies.

Though it is late but it is necessary to organize Festival of Thang-ta to promote Thang-ta or Manipuri martial art in this pitiful circumstances. The Jawaharalal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) organized Festival of Thang-ta from January 11 - 13, 2015 in collaboration with Huyen Lalong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung on the premises of the former as part of JNMDA's yearlong Diamond Jubilee Celebration (2014-14). In this three day festival of Thang-ta, the first two day were occupied with performances given by altogether fifteen different martial groups of the state. The last day was the Discussion on Thang-ta by participating three different resource persons, three observers, martial artist and few enthusiasts.

While Prof. (Retd.) N. Tombi Singh was the moderator of the Discussion, three paper readers viz - Shri Sanathoi Sharma on "Manipuri Culture da Thang-ta", Shri E. Ibomcha Meitei on "Thang-Tagee Hourakpham" and Shri A. Ojendro Meitei on "Sajen Kanglonda Manipuri Thang-ta" participated as resource persons. Shri B.C. Khuman, Rajmani Ayekpam participated as observers.

During the discussion, lot of observations has come out. In order to climb Manipuri Thang-ta at a higher level, lot of academic work and discussions have necessitated for proper shaping of Manipuri Thang-ta. Our fundamentalist outlook may not help its journey to a higher academic platform. Due to tourism culture, Manipuri martial art has been stage oriented art form due to demand from outside audience. Some observed that the ritualistic side of Manipuri art should maintain to some extent. Tourism culture affected the true nature of Manipuri martial art.

To know when Manipuri society start to use iron ore and the history of Thang-ta were coming up as parallel since general people believed that Thang-ta were made up by iron. It's important to know what the status of Manipuri weapon system was before Thang-ta arrived at Manipuri society. Though Thang-ta is the most important weapon system of Manipur but it has lot of ritualistic look. Chainarol was the sacred code of conduct for Manipuri sparing. Every fighters in Manipuri society tried to follow the sacred code of conduct of Chainarol.

Though Thang-ta has no special place in this modern day education system but it used as a catalyst in many performing art forms of the state like theatre, dance, film and even in Nat Sankirtana etc. To preserve the tradition of Thang-ta is the preservation of one of our rarest cultural heritage. Since Thang-ta is on the verge of extinction in this modern day life style but JNMDA's valued programme like Festival of Thang-ta will inspire many youths of the state to face challenges before them. Thang-ta is not only a simple martial art but it reflects the tradition of Manipuri life style.