NSD urged to remove 'Lai Haraoba' from banner
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 23 2025: The Cultural Committee of Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) has submitted a written request to National School of Drama (NSD) to remove 'Lai Haraoba' inscribed on the banner for a dance programme organised under the School.

As per the letter by DMCC Cultural & Public Affairs secretary Dr N Subhash Meetei, the organising body of the programme disregarded the importance of religious and customary practice of Lai Haraoba, and portraying it as a dance form.

Specifying that Lai Haraoba is a sacred, spiritual and religious practice of the Meetei community, the letter explained that it contains religious cohesion, cultural reflection, social cohesion, heritage preservation and ecological connection.

"Producing it without adhering to its traditional components is sidelining its spiritual integrity and hurting the religious sentiments of the community," maintained the letter, adding that usage of the words spoken in Lai Haraoba during a performance without maintaining its religious and cultural standards is demeaning to the scared tradition and is akin to portraying the spiritual practices, culture and traditions of the Meetei community in wrong light.

The organising body failed to adhere to the 'suggestive preventive measures' as recommended by scholars and practitioners, it said, urging the NSD administrative department to remove the 'Lai Haraoba' title or replace it something else.

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