Mail News Service
Imphal, Nov 16 : A new exhibit that chronicles the contributions of the people and ponies of Manipur has been unveiled at Kentucky Horse Park, USA on Thursday by the International Museum of the Horse, said a statement issued by R.K Nimai, secretary to the Governor .
Governor Gurbachand Jagat, who made presented the items said, “Over the last century and a half, the sport of polo has become synonymous with British horsemanship”. He lamented, “However the story of how the British learned of the game, and of the people and ponies that first introduced it to them has remained shrouded in history.”
The exhibit features a traditional Manipuri polo saddle, braided bridle, braided leather whip, a full set of traditional polo player’s attire, two traditional polo mallets, a ball made of bamboo root, and a set of traditional equestrian darts. The items were designed and constructed by Meisnam Khelen of Imphal who was the former captain of the Manipur Polo team, the press communique stated.
Ed Armstrong, Director of Tournament at the United States’ Polo Association while referring to the exhibit and it history said, “We are very interested in the fascinating antecedents of our game and are pleased to have been a part of this new exhibit”. This exhibit offers scope for comparison of the previous used equipments and the present polo gear provided by the US Polo Association, the press note further stated.
The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm or theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the park is an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet.
The Manipuri pony is still used for polo in Manipur with 7 players on each side. Many villages have polo fields too. It is unfortunate that Manipur pony is now dwindling and an endangered breed with an estimated population of fewer than 500, noted the governor’s statement. The gift and the creation of the exhibit represent both the international and local efforts to protect the ponies.
The Museum Director Bill Cooke remarked that they were extremely grateful to the Governor and the people of Manipur not only for their ‘significant donation of ethnographic material related to the Manipuri pony’, but also for ‘allowing us (US Polo Association) to do our small part to raise awareness of these historically significant animals and the current threat of their extinction’. The museum also expressed gratitude to Dr RK Nimai Singh, Secretary to Governor and Commissioner of Arts & Culture, and L Somi, curator of media arts and film in New York for arranging the gifts.
The museum will remain open on every Wednesdays from March 15 to Oct 31 and every Sunday from Nov 1 to March 14.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-polo-exhibit-at-kentucky-horse-park/
