Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday held talks with representatives of Thang-ta Association in the state and said that the meeting deliberated on ways to further promote and preserve the state’s indigenous form of martial art—Thang-ta.
“It was a pleasure to meet the representatives of Thang-ta Association for an interactive session today. We have deliberated on ways to further promote and preserve our indigenous martial arts, Thang-Ta,” the chief minister said in a Twitter post.
Recently, a group of Thang-ta leaders in Manipur demanded the state government to give recognition to Thang-ta certifications like recognising other martial arts and include the indigenous martial art in the syllabus of primary schools in Manipur.
The demand was made in a resolution passed during a one-day discourse on Thang-ta held on December 11, 2021 at the auditorium of JNMDA in Imphal West. It was organised by the Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society.
The Thang-ta leaders also resolved to urged the state government to strengthen the Manipur Thang-ta Common Syllabus Committee by appointing more experts and prominent Thang-ta teacher in the committee. They also decided to form a public Thang-ta common syllabus committee, which will be a parallel to the state level committee.
Thang-ta is considered one of the main components of the ancient Manipuri martial art form called Huyen langlon. Thang means sword and ta spear in Meitei. Thang-ta is said to be practiced in three ways - ritual, demonstration, and combat form.
Meanwhile, Huyel Langlon Thang-Tta Association, Manipur on Monday announced that it will be organizing the 32nd State Thang-Ta Championship 2022 at Thang-Ta Shanglen, Yumnam Huidrom from February 20-25.
The Championship will be held in Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior category for both and girls in the event of Phunaba Ama, Phunaba Anisuba and Thang-Haibi, Thanglon and Khonglon-Khutlon.
