Imphal, October 22 2008: To carry the legacy of Thang-Ta tradition and to popularise this ancient martial art form among the generations to come with Government patronage, the Huyel Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung, a pioneering body in promotion of the art form has called upon the State Government for setting up a State Policy on Thang-Ta.

Addressing a press conference at its Irilbung complex in Imphal East today in connection with the year-long golden jubilee celebration of the Association due to begin from October 25, Director of the Association G Gourakishore Sharma pointed out that in order to preserve the values of Thang-Ta and pass them on to the coming generations, the Government should formulate a special policy.

Over the last 50 years, a few handful of dedicated persons have been trying to promote this ancient art form.

However, after the demise of the dedicated few, the future of Thang-Ta would be lost too.

Because in the absence of any definite and special policy, those who are practising Thang-Ta today cannot pay their serious attention to the promotion of the art form.

So there is the urgent need to set up a policy, form a separate Directorate, establish college and include Thang-Ta in the school/college syllabus and encourage young students to learn this ancient martial art form, Gourakishore noted.

While recalling that at one time, Government authorities used to misjudge those practising Thang-Ta and arrest and lodge in the jail, Gourakishore said that now with the efforts of some private associations the popularity of Thang-Ta has been bought up to the International level.

For this, the Government should be thankful, he added.

Member of Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee of Huyel Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association Naba Wareppa, who was also present during the press conference, informed that workshop and seminar on Thang-Ta, interaction programme, painting exhibition and cultural exchange between one country and another would be among the main highlights of the itinerary of the year-long celebration which would begin from October 25 .

The inaugural function would span over five day and would witness presentation of awards to four selected cultural activists of Manipur and cultural dances of various communities.

Three cultural troupes, one each from Dehradun, Uttaranchal and Sonapur are also expected to participate in the event.

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