PizDoff
4/18/2007 11:51pm,
Thang-Ta’s grim battle for survival
By Sivasish Thakur
GUWAHATI, April 18 – Thang-Ta, the ancient martial art of Manipur, is waging a grim battle for survival, as it finds few takers in its homeland. Thang-Ta, which in old Manipuri means sword and spear respectively, is as old as myth and lore, and has endured stiff challenges including a ban on it by the British.
Chingtham Ranjeet, a renowned exponent of Thang-Ta, however, is optimistic that the traditional Manipuri martial art will survive the threat of extinction, as it had done against heavy odds in the past.
“No doubt, the number of youths practising Thang-Ta is less than the followers of other popular forms of martial arts like karate, taekwondo or kung-fu. But of late there has been a renewed interest in Thang-Ta, which is more evident in the rural areas of Manipur,” Ranjeet told The Assam Tribune.
Ranjeet, who is in the city in connection with a workshop on Thang-Ta, said that the efforts from dedicated individuals apart, the Government of Manipur must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to help the martial art form to tide over the crisis.
“Not many people are taking to Thang-Ta because it does not enjoy official recognition and patronage in the manner other martial art forms do. Therefore, government intervention is a must if Thang-Ta is to overcome the precarious situation it is in,” Ranjeet said.
Ranjeet, who is “deeply pained” by the apathy of the Manipur Government to the State’s own traditional martial art form, said that there should be more demonstrations, competitions and workshops to popularize the unique martial art.
“Thang-Ta is not just a martial art but symbolizes the fiercely independent spirit of the Manipuris as also their vibrant culture and heritage. It is sad that it is not getting any importance in the Government’s scheme of things,” Ranjeet said.
According to Ranjeet, Thang-Ta compares favourably with any of the more “glamorous” forms of martial arts like karate, taekwondo, etc., in terms of both artistic and combative attributes. “It is an all-comprehensive, complete martial art form, which has been handed down from generation to generation in the ancient guru-shishya parampara,” he said.
Thang-Ta stands for the cherished values of valour, sacrifice, chivalry, honour, and respect for life in all its forms. Truth, morality and safeguarding women, children and the weak have been time-tested ethical practices associated with Thang-Ta,” Ranjeet said.
His love for Thang-Ta and an urge to spread it far and wide have taken Ranjeet to many countries where he gives demonstrations and lectures on this pulsating martial art form. “I have been to Germany, Italy, Peru, Mexico, Taiwan, China, etc., and have given demonstrations and lectures,” he said.
Ranjeet also felt that there was a need to standardize and codify the rules governing Thang-Ta, as there had been some controversies over their uniformity. “For holding more competitions on a greater level, we need to have a uniform set of rules,” he said.
The 20-day workshop organized by the North East Zone Culture Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will conclude at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra on April 22. “When it started we had 24 participants but six-seven have left the camp,” Ranjeet said.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=apr1907/at08
Never heard of it. Anyone else with personal experience in this?
By Sivasish Thakur
GUWAHATI, April 18 – Thang-Ta, the ancient martial art of Manipur, is waging a grim battle for survival, as it finds few takers in its homeland. Thang-Ta, which in old Manipuri means sword and spear respectively, is as old as myth and lore, and has endured stiff challenges including a ban on it by the British.
Chingtham Ranjeet, a renowned exponent of Thang-Ta, however, is optimistic that the traditional Manipuri martial art will survive the threat of extinction, as it had done against heavy odds in the past.
“No doubt, the number of youths practising Thang-Ta is less than the followers of other popular forms of martial arts like karate, taekwondo or kung-fu. But of late there has been a renewed interest in Thang-Ta, which is more evident in the rural areas of Manipur,” Ranjeet told The Assam Tribune.
Ranjeet, who is in the city in connection with a workshop on Thang-Ta, said that the efforts from dedicated individuals apart, the Government of Manipur must exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment to help the martial art form to tide over the crisis.
“Not many people are taking to Thang-Ta because it does not enjoy official recognition and patronage in the manner other martial art forms do. Therefore, government intervention is a must if Thang-Ta is to overcome the precarious situation it is in,” Ranjeet said.
Ranjeet, who is “deeply pained” by the apathy of the Manipur Government to the State’s own traditional martial art form, said that there should be more demonstrations, competitions and workshops to popularize the unique martial art.
“Thang-Ta is not just a martial art but symbolizes the fiercely independent spirit of the Manipuris as also their vibrant culture and heritage. It is sad that it is not getting any importance in the Government’s scheme of things,” Ranjeet said.
According to Ranjeet, Thang-Ta compares favourably with any of the more “glamorous” forms of martial arts like karate, taekwondo, etc., in terms of both artistic and combative attributes. “It is an all-comprehensive, complete martial art form, which has been handed down from generation to generation in the ancient guru-shishya parampara,” he said.
Thang-Ta stands for the cherished values of valour, sacrifice, chivalry, honour, and respect for life in all its forms. Truth, morality and safeguarding women, children and the weak have been time-tested ethical practices associated with Thang-Ta,” Ranjeet said.
His love for Thang-Ta and an urge to spread it far and wide have taken Ranjeet to many countries where he gives demonstrations and lectures on this pulsating martial art form. “I have been to Germany, Italy, Peru, Mexico, Taiwan, China, etc., and have given demonstrations and lectures,” he said.
Ranjeet also felt that there was a need to standardize and codify the rules governing Thang-Ta, as there had been some controversies over their uniformity. “For holding more competitions on a greater level, we need to have a uniform set of rules,” he said.
The 20-day workshop organized by the North East Zone Culture Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, will conclude at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra on April 22. “When it started we had 24 participants but six-seven have left the camp,” Ranjeet said.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=apr1907/at08
Never heard of it. Anyone else with personal experience in this?