Manipur youngsters impart training in Thang-ta and folk dances

Manipur has a rich heritage of art forms. To promote and preserve them, a Thang-ta, a weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Meitei of Manipur, and folk dance training program, with the aim of imparting self defense techniques to young girls of the state.

These young girls are getting training in Thang-ta and Manipuri folk dances at Keirao Bitra in Imphal East district.

The one-month long workshop-cum-training program was organized by the Performing Organization of Arts and Culture, Manipur under the aegis of Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi with Guru Thaba as the project director.

During the course of the training program, special emphasis was given on teaching the girl trainees how to use the traditional martial art forms for self defense.

A total of 30 girls as well as 8 boys were a part of the programme.

" These days many youngsters indulge in bad habits like taking drugs and they simply waste their life .So I want to teach them this kind of activity and good discipline so that they can preserve our old age culture and they can also teach the coming generations," said Guru Thaba, Thang-ta teacher

" Before I was a student of Guru Thaba and I thought by joining this Thang-Ta workshop will help me more to get better experience that's why I am joining," said Puthem Jinika Devi, a participant

In the past few years, Guru Thaba has regularly been training youths and promoting Thangta and folk dances.

She also runs an academy, the "Performing Organization of Arts and Culture" to groom young artists in these traditional art forms.

Thang-ta is the most popular Meitei Martial arts in Manipur, which traditionally makes use of sword and spears. It has been gaining popularity outside the state as well.

" I want to learn our old-age culture and want to learn discipline that's why I am joining this workshop," said Nanao Devi, a participant.

Such programmes help in popularisng and preserving the state's rich traditions and culture.