Imphal, March 11: The month long third Sarei-Sara workshop organised by the Kanglei Inat Thang-Ta Shindam Shanglen under the sponsorship of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi concluded today at GM Hall.

The closing function was graced by Sangeet Natak Ratna awardee Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra, Thang-Ta maestro Saikhom Nodia Mangang, retired Principal of DM College of Commerce Sairem Nilbir and musicologist Laishram Birendrakumar as chief guest, president and guests of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Sairem Nilbir conveyed fear that Thang-Ta, the oldest martial art form of Manipur may disappear if the art form is not properly preserved and promoted before it is too late.

As such, it is the responsibility of the people of Manipur to promoted Thang-Ta.

For a Manipuri, neglecting this ancient art form which is closely linked with the culture of Manipur would amount to negating one's identity, remarked Nilbir while asserting that the efforts to preserve the culture and tradition of Manipur can never be complete without incorporating the Thang-Ta in the overall scheme of things.

Lamenting that the ideal etiquette and discipline of yesteryears has disappeared from the Manipuri society, Nilbir observed that such deterioration in social discipline is a result of neglecting important art forms like the Thang-Ta.

"It is crucial to promote ancient art forms like ThangTa if we want to revive the ideal discipline and etiquette followed by our forefathers", Nilbir noted.

Sangeet Ratna awardee N Khelchandra also spoke about Thang-Ta.

The workshop culminated with Sarei-Sara demonstration by Thang-Ta maestro and instructor of the Kanglei Inat Thang-Ta Sindam Shanglen L Heramot together with his students.

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