Manipuri diaspora celebrates heritage at London's Nehru Centre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 14 2026: An evening celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Manipur unfolded at The Nehru Centre as the Manipuri diaspora in the United Kingdom presented "Kanglei Spandan - The Living Traditions of Manipur" on February 20, 2026.The programme brought together members of the community and audiences from diverse backgrounds to experience the vibrant traditions of Manipur through dance, music, and traditional attire.

The event was gracefully compered by Priyadarshini Leichombam, who guided the audience through the various segments of the programme.

Delivering the opening address, Rakesh Kumar, Deputy Director of The Nehru Centre, highlighted the importance of promoting India's diverse cultural traditions on global platforms and acknowledged the role played by the diaspora in preserving and sharing cultural heritage far from home.

Significantly, this was the first time that die High Commission of India in London, through its cultural wing - The Nehru Centre - hosted a dedicated programme showcasing the cultural traditions of Manipur in its prestigious hall.

The event was therefore seen as a landmark occasion for the Manipuri community in the United Kingdom.

One of the major highlights of the evening was the Manipuri Traditional Attire Walk (Children), which captivated the audience with a colourful display of traditional costumes representing the cultural diversity of Manipur.

Young participants showcased attire such as Pena Khongba, Khamba, Thang-Ta martial attire, Mao and Tangkhul tribal costumes, Potloi, and Meitei Leima dress.

The presentation reflected the intricate craftsmanship, symbolism, and cultural pride embedded in the traditional garments of the State.

The dance segment formed the heart of the evening, presenting a variety of classical and folk traditions of Manipur.

Thougal Jagoi, a ritual dance performed during the sacred festival of Lai Haraoba, was presented by eight Manipuri diaspora women - Rojita Luwang, Bijyenti Okram, Sanjukta Raj Kumari, Diana Sarungbam, Linda Mangsatabam, Bijeta Bachaspati, Rita Soibam, and Binashwori Laishram.

Traditionally performed as an offering to ancestral Gods and Goddesses, the dance conveyed spiritual devotion and cultural continuity.

A classical Manipuri dance performance by Purnima Devi added to the elegance of the evening.

The Sangai Dance, choreographed to highlight the fragile existence of the Sangai - the rare and graceful floating deer found only in the wetlands of Manipur's Loktak Lake - was performed by Debanjali Biswas, Bijyenti Okram, and Swarna Okram.

The expressive choreography and storytelling behind the dance drew appreciative responses from the audience.

The programme also featured Ras Leela, regarded as the epitome of Manipuri classical dance.

Depicting the divine and playful interaction between Lord Krishna and Radha, the performance by Debanjali Biswas and Purnima Devi was met with warm applause, reflecting the audience's admiration for the grace and spiritual depth of the dance form.

Traditional dances representing indigenous communities were also showcased.

The Mao Dance, performed by children, highlighted the cultural vibrancy of the Mao community, while Maibi Jagoi, performed by Bijyenti Okram, Purnima Devi, Sanjukta Raj Kumari, and Hiya Deb, reflected the ritualistic traditions of the priestesses known as Maibis.

These performances collectively illustrated the indigenous cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of Manipur.

The musical segment of the programme featured a Modern Manipuri Song performed by Bishwajit Okram and a patriotic Manipuri song by Nabakumar Luwang.

The evening concluded with a collective rendition of the Manipuri State Song, performed by Santosh Sougrakpam, Nabakumar Luwang, Dinesh Mayengbam, Tiken Laishram, Bishwajit Okram, Victor Leichombam, Priyadarshini Leichombam, Rojita Luwang, Sanjukta Raj Kumari, Bijyenti Okram, Miranda Raj Kumari, and Bijaya Hijam.

The finale created a sense of unity and pride among the performers and the audience alike.

Audiences from different walks of life attended the event and thoroughly enjoyed the cultural presentations.

Many in the audience expressed admiration for the richness of the performances, noting that the colourful traditional costumes and graceful dance forms offered a rare glimpse into the cultural heritage of Manipur.

The vibrant performances left the audience mesmerised and deeply appreciative of the traditions showcased on stage.

Speaking to the writer after the event, a member of the Manipuri diaspora expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organisers and to The Nehru Centre for providing such an opportunity.

The individual remarked that the programme helped introduce the wider public to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Manipur, while also strengthening the sense of identity among the diaspora community.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Bishwajit Okram, who expressed appreciation to The Nehru Centre, the performers, volunteers, and members of the audience for their support in making the event a success.

The event was documented by Chitaranjan Khuman, a UK-based Manipuri visual artist and filmmaker who holds a Master's degree in filmmaking from University for the Creative Arts.

Through his photography, he captured the discipline, unity, and expressive depth of the performances.

His careful use of stage lighting, framing, and attention to gesture translated the dynamic movements of the performances into compelling still imagery, preserving the cultural essence of the event.

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