To

E-pao Team
Dated: 1st June, 2006

Sir,

We, at the European Manipuri association find the recent insensitive and uncultured comments made by one of India,s cultural ambassador, Zakir Hussain in an interview with Houston chronicle ,concerning his fellow Manipuri pung cholom artist and people of Manipur, as barely civilized, knife wielding natives , subdued by Zakir's into making music, as extremely offensive, derogatory, and discriminatory

It is very unfortunate that such a distorted reflection of the very civilization that we belong was shared on an international tour of the US and appeared in various worldwide web portals. The European Manipuri Association cannot but consider such stereotyped attitude deem as uncultured and cannot accept such uncivilized attitude towards our own people.

Many Manipuris, might have remain indifferent to such comments contending that it must be because of 'ignorance' of such people in particular or the rest of the people in India in general. It might have been due to such indifferent attitude that many 'ignorant' people have opined in the past and continued into the present, and unfortunately can result in more twisted uncultured statement towards Manipuris and people of north-east India as a whole.

We believe the 'barely civilized' reflection of the people of north-east India, would persists as long as we accept it is their moral rights to be 'ignorant of us' and simultaneously developing an attitude of obligation on ourselves to accept such statements as right 'from their point of view'.

We are of the firm belief that it would amounts to being irresponsible citizens of Manipur, in continuing to accept the concept of 'their point of view' for it tantamount to promotion of discriminatory remark based on preconceived notions which has rather becoming manifested in the form of 'arrogance' rather than what we previously thought as 'ignorance'.

The complex performing arts like Thang-Ta or Pung Cholom which require acute both physical and mental synchronization are a product of centuries of hard work. We would not further emphasize or endorse to the fact that the effort to perform such presentations is no match with those of Tabla or others as such but it would have been quite appreciated if Zakir Hussain could at least view these performances just another equally appreciable as his 'Tabla Wadan'.

We hope that much traveled India's cultural ambassador was misquoted or misunderstood and there was no racism disguised in humor. Otherwise Zakir Hussain has done more damage with his words than all of the good he has done in bringing an appreciation of Indian music to world audiences.

The European Manipuri Association urges Mr. Hussain and Ms. McClelland, Houston chronicle who had published the interview, to understand and respect the people of north-east India, its rich culture, the diversity and its unique heritages.

We would appreciate from these people in responsible position, an apology to the people of Manipur and northeast India because we consider that the statement made, were not just to a particular group of people or a community, but also to the very aesthetic values of our rich cultured civilization.

Regards,

Dr. Elangbam Bishwajeet
General Secretary
EMA