Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanm ...

has a wide collection of notable art and cultural displays.

Performing Arts

Thang Ta

Thang Ta Huyen langlon is an Indian martial art from Manipur. In the Meitei language, means war while or can mean net, knowledge or art. consists of two main components: thang-ta (armed combat) and sarit sarak (unarmed fighting). The primary weapons ...

is a martial art form of Manipur, existing since time immemorial. The art is associated with swords and spears. For defence, a shield is mostly used.

Manipuri Raas Leela

Manipuri Raas Leela , image = , alt = , caption = An illustration of the ''Manipuri Raas Leela'' dance, being depicted in a stamp from Armenia; transliterations of "Jagoi Raas" and "Manipuri Raas Leela", the terms in Meitei language (offi ...

is the classical dance of

Indian state India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, with a total of 36 entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts and smaller administrative divisions. History Pre-indepen ...

, with its main theme being devotion to god

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

. It depicts the

Raslila The rasalila (), also rendered the raslila or the ras dance, is part of the traditional story of Krishna described in Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana and literature such as the Gita Govinda, where he dances with Radha and the gopis ...

pastime of Krishna with

Radha Radha ( sa, राधा, ), also called Radhika, is a Hindu goddess and the chief consort of the god Krishna. She is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion. She is the avatar of goddess Lakshmi and is also de ...

and gopis.

Lai Haraoba

Lai Haraoba Lai Haraoba is a festival associated with the Meitei people celebrated to please the Umang Lai, the traditional deities of Sanamahism. Translated, Lai Haraoba means ''merry making of the Gods'' in Meiteilon. In this festival, the people worship ...

is the traditional religious festival, celebrated in regards to the holy sacred groves Umang Lai of the state.

Shumang Kumhei

Shumang Kumhei is a traditional form of

theater Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actor, actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The p ...

, originated in the state. four open air form, with a 13×13 sq. ft. of area.

Literature

Meitei literature has its earliest roots of existence dating back to around 11th century AD. The ancient Manipuri literary works are done in

Puya (Meitei texts) The Puyas ( mni, ꯄꯨꯌꯥ) are archaic Meitei language manuscripts. They encompass a wide spectrum of themes including genealogy, literature, history, royalties, administration, creation and cosmology, philosophy, poetry, religious beliefs ...

written in Meitei script. Some of the prominent writers of

Meitei literature , image = Numit Kappa.jpg , imagesize = , caption = The Numit Kappa, a Classical Meitei epic text written during the 1st century, based on ancient Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) , alt ...

are: *

M. K. Binodini Devi Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi (6 February 1922 - 17 January 2011) was an Indian novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist and member of the royal family of Manipur. She published books under the name ''Binodini''. She was best known for h ...

Khwairakpam Chaoba Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh ( mni, ꯈ꯭ꯋꯥꯢꯔꯥꯛꯄꯝ ꯆꯥꯎꯕ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ) (1895 in Uripok Sorbon Thingen leikai, Imphal – 1950) was a poet, essayist, prose-writer and novelist. He was influenced by Sanskrit tradition and is re ...

Indigenous Religion

Manipur is the home to the ancient

indigenous religion Indigenous religions is a category used in the study of religion to demarcate the religious belief systems of communities described as being "indigenous". This category is often juxtaposed against others such as the "world religions" and "new re ...

of Sanamahism, a

Polytheism Polytheism is the belief in multiple deities, which are usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own religious sects and rituals. Polytheism is a type of theism. Within theism, it contrasts with monotheism, the ...

of thousands of deities.
Pakhangba

Folklore

Folk dances

* Khamba-Thoibi Dance *

Thabal chongba Thabal chongba is a Manipuri folk dance traditionally performed during the festival of Yaoshang in India. In the dance, participants join hands in a circle, hop on one foot and swing their free legs across, slowly advancing. Description In e ...

* Pung cholom * Manipuri Sankirtana

Festivals

Several ethnic groups in the state, celebrates various festivals throughout the year. A few of them are: *

* Cheiraoba *

Yaosang Yaosang is a festival celebrated in Manipur for five days in spring, starting on the full moon day of the month of Lamda (February–March). Yaosang is indigenous traditions of the Meitei people. It is considered the most important festival ...

Ningol Chakouba Ningol Chakouba or Chakouba or Hiyangei Nini Paanba is a festival, celebrated by the Meitei people in the second lunar day of Hiyangei (''October–November'') month of Manipuri calendar. The festival is celebrated in the theme of strengthening o ...

Panthoibi Iratpa Panthoibi Iratpa or Panthoibi Iraat Thouni or Panthoibi Puja is a religious festival of the Manipuri people dedicated to goddess Panthoibi, the goddess of courage, war, bravery and wisdom of Sanamahism (Manipuri religion). The festival falls o ...

* Imoinu Iratpa *

Mera Hou Chongba Mera Hou Chongba or Mera Waayungba or Mera Thaomei Thaanba is the cultural festival of solidarity of Manipur, celebrated by every indigenous ethnic groups, including the Meitei people and the rest of hilly tribes. The day falls on the 15th lunar ...

* Mera Chaorel Houba *

Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba or Sanamahi Cheng Hongba or Kang Chingba is the religious festival of Meitei people, associated mainly with the public procession with the grand chariot, housing the ancient Meitei deity Lainingthou Sanamahi. The Im ...

Kwaak Taanba Kwaak Taanba or Kwaak Jatra or Loidam Kumsaba or Crow freeing festival is an indigenous festival of Manipur, in which the King of Manipur sets free of a crow, from his custody. The day falls on the 10th lunar day of Mera month of the Meitei calen ...

Heikru Hidongba "Heikru Hidongba" (Manipuri boat racing festival) is a socio-religious ceremony performed every year at the moat of the Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Leikai, Imphal on the 11th day of the Meitei calendar month Langban (coinciding with September) with e ...

Gaan-Ngai ''Gaan-Ngai'' also known as "''Chakaan Gaan-Ngai''" is a festival of the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states of India. It is the biggest festival out of many festivals observed throughout the indigenous calendar of Rongmei ...

Sports

Forms of indigenous sports are: *

Yubi Lakpi Yubi lakpi is a seven-a-side traditional football game played in Manipur, India, using a coconut, which has some notable similarities to rugby. Despite these similarities, the name is ''not'' related to the game of rugby or Rugby School in Engla ...

* Mukna * Khong kangjei

References

{{Reflist

External links

Manipur Government Website
Culture of Manipur