UKAL holds Mera Meepham, adopts resolutions on Lai Haraoba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 07 2026: Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) organised Mera Meepham, the annual conference on Umanglai Haraoba, at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, on Saturday.

The conference adopted four resolutions - to work under UKAL's leadership to include Lai Haraoba in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list by uniting laibung, amaiba-amaibi, pena players and others; to discuss and decide on 'Nupa Maibi' participating in Lai Haraoba; to hold a joint meeting of loishangs to fix uniform rates for maiba-maibi, pena and other services; and to stop women from performing Pena and other musical instruments.

Speaking on the occasion, former MP Leishemba Sanajaoba said Lai Haraoba belongs to all and contains the culture, governance and economy of the people.

He said protecting it is the duty of every Kangleicha, and warned that treating it merely as entertainment will destroy it.

He said Lai Haraoba is Manipur's unique identity and must be taken to the UNESCO platform.

He said the UNESCO list will be announced next March, and urged people to pressure MLAs, Ministers, Cabinet and the PMO in the remaining five to six months.

Eminent cultural personality Aribam Shyam Sharma was felicitated at the programme.

Two books - "Umanglai Haraoba da Amaiba" written by Ningombam Vidyashwar, and "Lai Haraobagi Kanglon" published by UKAL were also released.

UKAL president Chanam Nabachandra Meitei and many experts, lai committee members, amaiba-amaibi and Pena players took part in the deliberations.

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