Martial art festival with a purpose
Festival of Maram Achouba Khoushaba

Rajmani Ayekpam *

Maram Nungsetpa Khousa (Spear Dance of Manipuri Martial Art) at MDU, Imphal in April 2014 :: Pix - Shanker Kh

Many people consider that there’s no relevance for martial art in this present day context. The present day warfare is not for traditional weapons ie Thang-Ta (swords and spears, bows etc.).

However, the practice of martial art is not only to preserve the precious cultural heritage of a community but can able to continue the life style of the community for future generation. So, many communities preserve their precious martial art tradition as a rich cultural heritage and valued performing art as well.

Due to promotion and encouragement, the martial art of few countries have become the major sporting events of the world eg. Olympic Games. Judo for Japan, Taekwondo for Korea are medal events in Olympic Games while Wushu is in Asian Games. Now, learning and teaching martial art is akin to spreading the culture and pride of a Nation. Now-a-days, Thang-Ta is gaining popularity and has become a major sporting event.

Scholars of present day consider that it includes all the ingredients of life in the martial life style of the community. If any community abandon their long preserved tradition of martial life style, it will lose an important thread of the life. The tradition of martial life style makes a healthy and strong Nation even as there’s no relevant martial art in the present day warfare.

A healthy and strong Nation can become prosperous and can achieve many things in many ways. For example, Japan and China have a long rich tradition of martial art & martial life style and these countries can be proud of their martial art tradition. Their martial art tradition inspire them to become a strong and prosperous Nation in the world.

To preserve martial art as a performing art is becoming one of the most popular traditions of many countries in the present day. Besides, the fight scene of martial art in films of Hollywood and many east and south-east Asian countries are most sought after in the film world. Understanding the value of martial art, many universities of the world encourage opening of martial arts courses.

Govt and authorities have also taken the responsibility of preserving martial art. Many die hard enthusiasts from non-Governmental organizations have also taken responsibility to preserve martial art as a performing art.

Kanglei Shaktam Langba Kanglup, Haobam Marak, Irom Leikai, Imphal is one among few non-Governmental organizations of Manipur which has taken up the responsibility of preserving Manipuri Thang-Ta by organizing seminars, workshops and training courses other than its normal duty of teaching Thang-Ta to the youths and children of the State.

Chingtham Ranjit Khuman, SNA awardee and director of Kanglei Shaktam Langba Kanglup, is a lone warrior and maestro of Manipuri martial art. He has toured many countries for teaching Manipuri martial art other than teaching young boys and girls at KSLK.

His philosophy is to practice Manipuri martial art ie Thang-Ta as not a mere practice of martial art but also as a responsibility of preserving Manipuri rich cultural heritage. Manipuri martial art is present directly or indirectly in all performing arts of Manipur. Without Manipuri martial art, all art performances of Manipur may not be beautiful as it is today. To practice Manipuri martial art will make Manipur a healthy and strong State.

Now, in the modern day the performers–theatre, ballet, dance, dance-drama, pure dance and mime have discovered an inexhaustible treasure trove in them for artistic purpose like the lyrical movements of the pliant body, pacing of feet, jerks along with breath control and deep concentration. Mimes for different purposes–joy and physical con- frontation can be drawn from the traditional art form.

Kanglei Shaktam Langba Kanglup organized a one day festival of Maram Achouba Khousha on Sunday, the 23rd March, 2025 in the auditorium of Manipur Dramatic Union, Imphal which was participated by four Thang-Ta groups of Manipur including KSLC under the sponsorship of Cultural Function & Production Grants, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

The groups of Thang-Ta ie
1) The Living Arts Academy Manipuri Thang-Ta (LAAMAN THANG-TA),
ii) Achipa Thang-Ta Shindam Sang-len,
iii) Performing Orga- nization of Arts and Culture, Manipur and
iv) Kanglei Shaktam Langba Kanglup
participated in this one day Festival of Maram Achouba Khousha.

As shown the somatic exercise by holding Ta (spear) and Chung (shield) that aims at attaining the utmost dexterity of hands, legs and sturdy physique through manly muscular movements involving all parts of the body is called Ta-Khoushaba. There were nine kinds of Ta-Khoushaba while Maram Achouba Khoushaba was one of them.

Another kind ie Thengou Chongba is also there but it is used in another context say to perform Thengou Chongba for the welfare of State eg during the festival of Kwak Tanba. There are four Panas in ancient Manipur and there are four different Khoushaba for four Panas.

Khoushaba like any other folk art form has different performances according to differences in different Gharana (school). To conduct a festival is very much needed to check whereabouts of Khoushaba in this day. A slight different in performance according to different Gharanas is good for any performing art and it will enhance the ongoing performance art.

When we witness the four Khoushaba performances in the last festival ie Festival of Maram Achouba Khoushaba there is slight difference in performances due to difference in Gharana without touching the main characteristic of Khoushaba. The said Khoushaba performance is a three minute performance but it takes lot of hard work and needs a longer period for perfection.

You will be surprised how a 3 minute performance of Khoushaba consumes huge volume of energy and physical strength.