A MANIPURI MARTIAL ART:THANG-TA



A stage performance on Thang-ta



Thang-ta is a weapon based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur. Today Thang-ta is the most popular Meitei martial art form practiced by both men and women. It is most often seen through demonstration in cultural programs. In the Manipuri language,‘Thang’ means sword and ‘ta’ means spear referring to the art’s primary weapons.

Thang-ta is closely related to certain war- dances, often blurring the line between dance and combat forms. The physical side of Thang-ta is eventually supplemented with breathing exercises, meditation and the sacred dances.



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Thang-ta can be practiced in three different ways: ritual, demonstration and combat. The first way is related to the tantric practices and is entirely ritualistic in nature. The second way consists of a spectacular performance involving sword and spear dances. These routines can be converted into actual fighting practices and the third way is the true combat application.

Every year Thang-ta competitions are held at school, district, state and national level. The promotion of Thang-ta as a sport helped in the cause of its promotion and spread from Manipuri to the whole of India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir. Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir are currently the strongest contenders at the national level.

With the aim to preserve and promote this martial art of Manipur, Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) has decided to add it as an optional subject in the syllabus starting from 2014.



  

 Pung Cholom of Manipur

       Manipur presents a mosaic of traditions and cultural patterns. The classical dance of Manipur stands as one of the famous and distinct dance form. The Manipur School of dancing whether folk, classical or modern is devotional in nature. The dances of the people have a high artistic and aesthetics values and are both ritualistic and recreational in nature. Manipuri dance is purely religious and is claimed to be softest, modest, mildest and the most meaningful dances of the world. Among this different classical dance of Manipur,  Pung Cholom  is one of them.

A stage performance on Pung Cholom

The Pung Cholom is a traditional Manipuri hand beaten drum dance. It is a unique classical dance of Manipur and also the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana, music and Classical Manipur dance. This dance may be performed by men or women and is usually prelude to the Ras Lila. In this style, the dancers play the pung and dance at the same time. Dancers need to be acrobatic and graceful at the same time. The Pung cholom is a very characteristics dance of Manipur. It is based upon the drum known as Pung in Manipur. It assumes an important ritual character, an indispensable part of all social and devotional ceremonies in Manipur.  

 

Photo courtesy:- e-pao-net

Pung is a hand drum from the North east Indian state of Manipur. The Pung has made up of wood and both left and right sides are similar in size. It is cylindrical in nature. It was introduced into the area by King Khuyoi Tompok in the year 154 AD.

Pung Cholom borrows elements from the Manipur martial arts Thang- ta and sarit sarak and also from traditional Maibi dance. The dance is followed by simple rhythm, which builds up to a thunderous climax and its aim is a spiritual experience. Nowadays Pung Cholom of Manipur is famous all over the World. 

Kouna products of Manipur

 

 Kouna products of Manipur



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          When we talk about various indigenous art forms of Manipur, we cannot ignore the products of Kouna. Kouna is a water reed plants grows wildly in the marshy land, ponds, along the rivers, lakes etc. In Manipur, not only the cane crafts but also the use of kouna and its crafts is one of the oldest tradition in Manipur society. From kouna, Manipuri people made different items of different designs such as mats, cushion, bag, decorative items etc. Kouna products have been taking part in different trade fairs and handicrafts mela both in national and international level. These products are exported to other states after it’s participations in different trade fairs.

         Nowadays, Kouna craft becomes one of the flourishing industries among other handicrafts in the state. Even womenfolk also indulged in this job as Manipur has lack of employment, they give self employment to themselves and earn their income for their livelihood. Their products have become very popular and likeable by everyone.

 Photo courtesy:- e-pao-net

A trip to Shirui Hill