'Thammoi Tahoure' a Manipuri Muslims' musical feature
- 28th Feb 2017 | 7th North East Cultural Festival -

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Manipuri Muslims Cultural Troupe featuring "Thammoi Tahoure"at the open air theatre at Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi

"THAMMOI TAHOURE" COULD ROLL DOWN HEARTS AT JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA

"Thammoi Tahoure" a Manipuri Muslims' musical feature remixed with Sufi modern quwwali could draw the attention of crowd during the 7th North East Cultural Festival entitled "Rhythms of the North East" which was held on 28th Feb 2017 at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. The Cultural Show organised under the aegis of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research at Jamia Millia Islamia was participated by various Cultural Troupes from the North East including Laxanka, eminent Manipuri musical performer Mangka, Manipuri Muslims Cultural Troupe led by eminent Manipuri Muslim Singer Mohd Rahim and Santoli Lathibari Dal of Assam.

As a part of the Cultural Show, the Manipuri Muslims Cultural Troupe also presented a Manipuri Religious Quwwali, a traditional Folk Song "Pangal Khunung Eshei" from the collections by the eminent writer Abdur Rahman and a Folk Dance based on the ancient Manipuri Muslims Marriage Ceremony. The Folk Dance was performed by Reshma Shahni, Henna Shahani and Ibemsana exactly in the form of the traditional Pangal Luhongba Jagoi which was performed by our womenfolk during the wedding ceremonies in the ancient Manipuri Muslims culture.

The musical feature Thammoi Tahoure written & directed by Dr Raheijuddin Sheikh and composed by Md Rahim was presented in the form of the so called Sheiwai – Sheikhum Eshei which was traditionally sung on the eve of the Wedding Ceremonies in the ancient Pangal culture. The feature depicts the much critical situation of a young boy who attended the wedding procession for the first time in life as Daman's (Groom) party.

Traditionally, two or three girls from among the bride's party kept on waiting for the reception of the Daman's party just at the entrance of the bride's residence; offer a glass of milk to the arriving Daman to signify warm welcome as well as wishing for a prosperous married life. The young boy who accompanied the Daman for the first time suddenly caught the eyes of the beautiful young girl who offered the glass of milk. The two felt in love with each other at the very first sight without telling anything, forgot everything and drowned in dreams of their own ways till the end of the Nikah.

The wedding was over, the Groom's party left the place but the boy turned around rolling his eyes in 360 degrees till it caught those of the young girl who was also peeping through the window from the girls' room waving out slowly her tendered hands saying good bye to him. Everybody followed the Groom, but the boy kept on looking back, even he could not move forward as if his hearts have already been rolled down just at the bride's gate; just in front of the girl who silently picked his fallen hearts up.

People enjoying Manipuri Muslims Cultural Show at Jamia Millia Open Air Theatre

The Cultural Festival was organised under the aegis of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research with an objective to introduce the unique culture and traditions of the Manipuri Muslims in the syllabus at Jamia Millia Islamia. The trip of the Cultural Troupe to Delhi was supported by All Manipur Muslims Organisations Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) and many other who are enthusiasts in protecting and fostering the dying Manipuri Pangal Culture.

* This news story/article is developed and contributed by the B Voc. Digital Multimedia Students of Dhanamanjuri Community College, Imphal as part of fulfilment of the Qualification Pack: "News Reporting and Anchoring" under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).