Thadou cultural festival Hun ends in style
Miss Universe adds touch of glamour
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, April 20 2023: The biggest cultural festival of the Thadou tribe, Hun 2023 culminated in style with former Miss Universe, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu as the showstopper for designer Robert Naorem at the Brig M Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi yesterday.

Donning Thadou traditional attire with a touch of Manipuri handloom, former Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu walked the ramp as the showstopper for well-acclaimed designer Robert Naorem with a host of models displaying different well-designed handloom products.

The former Miss Universe while interacting with the media at El-Shaddai, before her show, said that the respect among the women of Manipur, the pure hearts of the people, the handloom and its weavers, and the heritage of Manipur impressed her.

Thadou cultural festival Hun ends in style

"I am truly impressed by the Ima Market as it is purely run by the women (mothers) of the State.

This shows how women are respected in the State of Manipur," said the former Miss Universe.

Harnaaz Kaur also said she was very impressed that the people of Manipur are so kind, loving, and pure of heart.

She also thanked Robert Naorem, the international designer for giving her the opportunity to perform at the Hun festival as a showstopper to support the Thadou community and promote the State's handloom and its weavers.

She further said that she also got the opportunity to learn so many beautiful things about Manipur which she could take back to her home.

Significantly, the 5th State-Level Hun 2023 was the first celebration of Thadou's biggest cultural festival after it was declared a restricted holiday by the incumbent BJP Government.

Significantly, the two-day-long event at Kangpokpi district headquarters was graced by Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Governor Ansuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and many other Ministers and MLAs.

Various Thadou folk dances, songs, and music, handloom and handicrafts, indigenous games and sports, tastes of Thadou cuisines, traditional attire, Thadou modern songs, Mister and Miss Thadou contests were the highlights of the two-day event with the presence of former Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu adding sparkles.

The closing ceremony was attended by MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand as chief guest while PHE Minister L Susindro Meitei and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen attended as the guest of honour and functional president respectively.

Textiles Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha, who is the Chairman of Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, MLA Sagolsem Kebi, who is also the Chairperson of Manipur State Women Development Corporation Limited, Chandel AC MLA SS Olish and Saikul AC MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing attended the event as special guests.

PHE Minister L Susindro stole the hearts of thousands with his rocking stage performance.

He sang a famous Manipuri song "Leplone Nangna" with renowned singer Uttam on the stage.

The Minister was later joined by Nemcha Kipgen, MLA Olish, and others on the stage.

Paomonsang Khongsai and Daisy Kimdeihoi Doungel, both from Vengthah Ward No 3, Kangpokpi won the Mister and Miss Thadou titles respectively, bagging a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each. Lenminthang and Seigunthang Misao bagged the first and second runner up title of Mister Thadou, Nengthenkim and Nengchamkim bagged the first and second runner of Miss Thadou.

The subtitle award of Best Physique, Best Costume, Mr Active, Mr Congeniality, and Mr Photogenic in the Mister Thadou contest were bagged by Dominic Paolallom, Haominlun, Letkhoson, Paolenhao, and Haolunthang Misao respectively.

In the Miss Thadou contest, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Miss Active, Best Catwalk, and Best Costume were bagged by Melody Tinngaineng, Lhaineilhing, Jennifer, Chonghoikim and Lhingneihoi respectively.