Three-day Thang-ta festival sets into motion
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2015:
A three-days festival of Thang-ta was set into motion at Huiyen Lalong Thang-ta Cultural Association, Irilbung today.
The festival is being organised jointly by Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal and Huiyen Lalong Thang-ta Association as a part of JNMDA, Imphal's diamond jubilee celebration.
Former Art and Culture commissioner P Bharat and former JNMDA director L Joychandra attended the opening ceremony as functional chief guest and president respectively.
Delivering the keynote address, JNMDA director L Upendra said Thang-ta was considered an important element of Manipuri tradition in ancient times.
This tradition however, has lost its importance among the new generations, he observed.
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The director stressed the need for putting collective efforts of all concerned towards the preservation of Thang-ta.
Speaking at the occasion, P Bharat opined that a festival specially meant to promote Thang-ta should be organised and that the people should extend full support to it.
One of the most unique elements of Manipuri tradition, the Thang-ta, if given the required attention by the State, could promote Manipur at the international level.
He further expressed his wish to establish Thang-ta (presently a unit of JNMDA) as a separate institution.
During his speech, functional president Joychandra said it is wrong on the part of the Manipuris to consider Thang-ta as mere entertainment item.
Adding that the art had once been an important element in the Manipuri tradition, Joychandra called for mass support in keeping the tradition alive.
The opening ceremony was attended by 14 Thang-ta groups.
A discussion session would also be held on the closing day of the three-day long festival.