Thang-ta festival held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2011:
The 6th Festival of Thang-Ta and an event titled Artists' Exposure Through Fusion Arts has been organised by Kangleipak Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Kongba Kshetri Leikai at the Lamboi Khongnang khong premises of Progressive Artists Laboratory today.
The Thang-ta festival was organised under the aegis of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and the latter event, which is said to be an international project, under the sponsorship of Department of Culture, New Delhi.
The inaugural programme was held with Manipur State Kala Akademi Secretary S Vedeswar Sharma, JN Manipur Dance Academy Pradhan Guru Ph Iboton Singh and Deputy Director of Art & Culture, Manipur W Mera Singh as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.
Dignitaries present at the occasion emphasised on the need for concerted effort and contribution by every section of the society to promote and preserve Manipur's cultural heritage.
Describing thang-ta as an ancient martial art form widely practised during the reigns of Meitei kings, they expressed confidence that inclusion of Thang-Ta in the school curriculum would be helpful in not only development of the martial art form but also inculcate a sense of discipline among its pupils.
Apart from presentation of cultural programmes and elaborate speeches on Thang-Ta by resource persons, classical Manipuri dance recital by Soajic Lelan of France was the other highlight of the event.