Bodies rue disrespect to culture in Lai Haraoba
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 02 2022:
Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) and All Zeliangrong Art and Culture Organisation (AZACO) have called for stopping any activities which tantamount to disrespecting or misrepresenting culture of any community in Lai Haraoba festival.
Addressing a joint press meet at KIMACS office here on Thursday, AZACO secretary Golmei Irabot Kabui said that they have come across several incidents of disrespecting culture of different communities during Lai Haraoba festivals in different parts of the state.
While reminding all concerned that Manipur is a land of diversity where different indigenous communities live and each community has their own custom, culture and art, which contributes to the rich cultural heritage of the state, secretary Golmei said Meetei and Kabui have inseparable bond of brotherhood since times immemorial.
Kabui folk dance has been part of extra cultural activities during Lai Haraoba festivals and there is no objection in doing so.
It will rather bring cultural and emotional integration among the indigenous communities.
However, a trend of modifying the traditional dresses and disrespecting the culture is being witnessed in different parts of the state lately, he said.
The secretary referred to incidents of using Kabui traditional attire with Tangkhul headgear and Mao 'Khaohol' while performing Kabui folk dance and termed such display in the public platform as an act of disrespecting culture and tradition.
Many are even using music of other culture including films' music, Golmei said.
Opining that such false representation is outcome of the instructor not having proper knowledge of the culture and tradition of the indigenous communities of the state, he remarked that such acts hurt the sentiments of the particular community, whose art and culture are being misrepresented.
While calling for stopping such practices with immediate effect, he also said that AZACO will start taking up appropriate actions against such misrepresentation of culture.
Joining the media briefing, KIMACS secretary (art and culture) L Sanjit alsb said that such disrespect of culture is a serious issue and KIMACS strongly condemns it.
It has the potential to create chasm and sow distrust among the indigenous communities of the state, he said, while adding that a joint team of KIMACS and AZACO will start taking up actions against such acts.