Manipur University of Culture students give stellar performance at International folk festival
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2025: Representing India, students of Manipur University of Culture (MUC) mesmerized audiences at 10th Nyirseg International Folk Dance Festival 2025 held at Hungary's Nyiregyhaza from August 16 to 21 with their captivating Manipuri folk dance performance.

Addressing the media about the festival and their experience at the Palace Compound, Assistant Professor Dr Nganbi Chanu of MUCs Lai Haraoba department said that a total of 14 MUC students of Music, Dance, Thang-ta and Sankirtan department, accompanied by coordinator of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Aditya participated in the six-day festival.

She said that AIU, which is a collective body of over 1,100 cultural universities, selected MUC to represent India at the International Folk Dance Festival as part of an exposure tour.

The students gained new experiences, and the audience was captivated by the Manipuri folk dance, said Dr Nganbi, highlighting the success of MUCs participation in the festival.

She said that artists from Hungary, Bosnia, Poland and Kenya also took part in the festival.

She also mentioned that MUC had participated in previous editions of the International Folk Dance Festival and was selected again based on their impressive performances in earlier years.

She proudly stated that her students gave their best as representatives of India, and their performance left the au dience enthralled.

While the MUC students initially prepared to perform Thougal Jagoi, Maibi Jagoi, and Thang Leiteng, they were asked to perform a dance related to harvest.

Consequently, they adapted and performed Khulang Eshei and Sintha Jagoi, incorporating various elements of Lai Haraoba, she said.

Dr Nganbi added that the MUC students' performance closely aligned with the theme, earning praise from both the organisers and the audience.

She further mentioned that a Maibi Jagoi was performed at the festival, captivating the crowd, who were thrilled to witness the spiritual essence of the dance form.

Dr Nganbi shared that Anna, one of the organisers, was visibly moved to tears by the Thougal Jagoi performance at Hungary's Cultural Complex.

In addition to Thang Leiteng, the students performed Sintha Jagoi, which was so well-received that it was performed twice, she said.

The festival also included a cultural exchange programme where Manipur folk dance was shared with international artistes, and they reciprocated by teaching their own dance forms, she said.

She further mentioned that the MUC students visited some of Hungary's village museums, where they taught the traditional art of Thabal Chongba.

Dr Nganbi also shared that Kajal Mutum, an MUC student, represented India in the costume competition, donning traditional Meitei attire, and won first place.

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