Dash of culture as Sangai Fest kicks off
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 21 2011: The Manipur Sangai Festival was opened today at Hapta Kangjeibung amidst splendid and colourful cultural shows, dance and music.

Business delegates and cultural troupes from Myanmar, Thailand and Kenya are also participating in the 10-day festival of extravaganza.

The much anticipated festival was formally declared open by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT).

The main attraction of the opening ceremony was the cultural show choreographed by W Lokendrajit which depicted the creation of universe.

The show was superb and unique for the ensemble comprised of different ethnic communities and their traditional musical rhythms which were blended so perfectly reflecting the time-tested fraternal bond among different communities of Manipur.

Impressed by the show and the ensemble, Chief Minister announced a cash prize of Rs one lakh for the choreographer.

More than 300 stalls offering different varieties of delicacies and dishes, handloom and handicraft products of different ethnic groups of Manipur have been opened to tickle the palates of visitors.

In addition to the local stalls, Myanmar and Thailand food stalls are also taking part in the festival.

A cultural dance underway on the opening day of the festival

Moreover, classical dance performance by Thai cultural troupe would add to the grandeur of the festival.

Speaking at the opening function, O Ibobi claimed that Manipur's natural beauty is not less any other part of the world.

He stated Imphal has been fast emerging as a popular destination for medical tourism.

Protect Area Permit (PAP) System which posed the single most biggest hurdle to development of tourism in Manipur has been revoked for one year and the same system would be kept away in the future too, Ibobi stated.

Tourism Minister TN Haokip who presided the opening function appealed to the people to welcome all tourists with open arms and treat them with love and hospitality.

U Tun Shwe, Managing Director of Myanmar based Magini Industries Company Limited said that ten business delegates from his country are taking part in the festival in addition to his own stall of agricultural products.

U Tun Shwe further disclosed that he is an offspring of those Manipuri ancestors who were taken to Myanmar as prisoners during the Seven Years Devastation.

Conveying gratitude to the Government of Manipur for inviting him to the festival, he stated that he would a large cultural troupe from Myanmar next year.

Thouradol Thungruang, Border Trade in-charge of the Ministry of Commerce Thailand, pointed the similarities in the food habits and customs between Thailand and Manipur.

He said that he felt quite at home in Manipur.

Informing that Thailand classical dance would be performed at the festival for the first time, Thouradol Thungruang remarked that Manipur would certainly witness some changes in its tourism sector in the coming years as PAP system has been lifted.