Two-month long Thang-ta training prog concludes
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, September 07 2023:
A two-month long "Training Cum New Production On Thang-Tagi Yannaba Makhalsing" organised by Association for Paona Memorial Arts and Rural Development Services (APMARDS) under the Department of Art and Culture and Chief Minister gi Artistes singgi Tengbang (CMAT) scheme, culminated on Thursday.
The valedictory function held at APMARDS's auditorium in Wangkhem was attended by HLMTTCA Irilbung director (Padmashri) guru K Shanathoiba Sharma; JNMDA Imphal retired guru and MSKA awardee P Dhanajit Singh, and Bharatya Dalit Sahitya Academy national secretary Y Mahendrakumar Singh as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, guru K Shanathoiba said that Thang-ta is considered as the backbone of the state and the martial art form has been used in defending the state, not to mention of its close connection with the gods.
However, after Manipur was defeated by the British in 1891, the art form was banned for a long time.
Nonetheless, it was revived again and the government has been quite active in promotion of the same.
Later, the gathering observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to all those who died during the on-going conflict while defending the integrity of the state.
Padmashri K Shanathoiba was also honoured with a simple gift on the occasion, while certificates of participation were distributed to the artistes who participated in the training programme.