IMPHAL, April 23: A three day Thang-ta festival organised by the Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society, KIMACS was today inaugurated at the Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Gate.
Joint secretary BOSEM Ph Nandakumar said that the day is an auspicious day to remember the martyrs of the land who sacrificed their lives for the land fighting against the British.
Starting such a festival concerning the indigenous martial art on such an auspicious day is appropriate, he said and added the martyrs of the Khongjom War were all Thangta experts.
Ph Nandakumar also observed that conducting such festivals will help to spread the awareness amongst the people and for the art to gain more popularity and respect.
The inclusion of the Thang-ta in the syllabus by BOSEM will be beneficial for the students who are willing to learn the art but find it difficult due to their school work, he continued.
KIMACS president M Surjaboro said the day is observed on Khongjom Day to remember the martyrs.
Thang-ta helps in boosting the courage, health, self-respect and protection abilities of an individual, which in term would help in building up a healthy society, he observed.
The art form is presently taught at 15 government and private schools under the BOSEM to Class IX students and will be soon extended till Class X.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/04/thangta-festival-inaugurated/