Pena instructor Kh Mangi passes away
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 15 2022: Renowned Pena artiste and instructor Khangembam Mangi has passed away at his Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai home, here on Wednesday.

He was 102 years old.

The Pena instructor was honoured with Padma Shri award in 2011 in recognition of his contribution in the held of art and culture.

He was also the first Pena artiste to get the fourth highest civilian award of the country.

Apart from this, he was decorated with several prestigious awards including Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2006, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Sanman in 2010, LEIKOL's Basanta-Bimla Award in 2008, Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in 2005, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad's Sangeet Bhusan and Manipur Pandit Loishang's Sana Leikham Pena Shanglakpa in 2004.Born in 1920, Mangi started learning Pena from his father Khangembam Tomei from a young age.

He also learned Pena under several instructors namely Moirangthem Modhu, Phamdom Sanajao, Thangjam Toyai, Tokpam Papu, Khumukcham Kanhai, Yumnam Kanhai and Thokchom Tolmu.

He joined Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy as Pena instructor in 1975 and retired as Pradhan Guru of Lai Haraoba in 1996 .

He was a founder member of Laihui, a leading institute of the state which is conducting research on Pena and other art forms.

He had given several performances abroad including in Mexico, Washington DC, London, Berlin, France and several Asian countries.

He had also presented papers on Lai Haraoba and Pena at different national and state level workshops and seminars held in different states.

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