Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 13 2008:
Resounding to the beating of the traditional drums and Ho-Hoing interspersed by folk dances and songs, the 6th Zeliangrong Folk Festival was celebrated under the theme of 'Peace and solidarity' at Zeihkuluang Mukten ground, Loktak Project today.
Organised by Society for Promotion of Community Task (SPCT), the inaugural function of the festival was attended by MLA and president of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Gaikhangam as chief guest, MLA Govindas Konthoujam as president and former Minister AS Arthur as guest of honour.
In the key note address, SPCT secretary Samuel Dangmei said the day of the festival is the most important day not only for the SPCT but also for all the Zeliangrong community living in different parts of the State.
It is on this day that SPCT founder S Pao laid the path for attainment of rightful identity of Zeliangrong people through cultural harmony and striding for peace and solidarity from the residual of methodological customs.
In his presidential address, Govindas observed that it was the religion that separated the cordial relationship between the hill and the valley people.
In the past, our forefathers used to work unitedly on many occasions and celebrated together sharing everything.
But after the introduction of different religious in our State, the gap has widened between the hill and the valley people.
Exhorting Zeliangrong community to be a role model in bringing unity among the hill and the valley people, he also donated a sum of Rs 20,000 to organisers of the festival.
On the same note, Gaikhangam said Zeliangrong community should take up the responsibility of maintaining peace and harmony among all the communities in the State.
He also said that this annual festival should serve as a platform for promotion, preservation and revival of the true identity and customs and tradition of Zeliangrong people.
In his address, Arthur noted that among the hill people, Kabuis have been able to integrate and settle in the valley without compromising with their customs and tradition.
So Kabuis deserve to be praised.
Demonstration of traditional drum beatings, Ho-Hoing, folk dances and songs, traditional attire show, jokes, choreography and modern songs were among the main attractions of the festival.