- Before each training session, the student must bow to Pakhangba with
reverence. - Before each training session, the student must bow to the partner and
salute the partner with the weapon wielded by the student. - Before picking up a weapon (whether a sword, spear, shield, or stick),
the student must touch it with the fingers and then touch the fingers to
the forehead, thus acknowledging the sanctity of the weapon. - The student’s feet must never touch the student’s weapon or the partner’s
weapon. - If any person comes between practicing partners, all practice must be
stopped for the day. - All students must stand still when receiving the instructions from the
teacher. - No student shall come to the school intoxicated. Chewing of betel and
smoking are not allowed in the sindamsang or in the presence of the
teacher. - At the end of a training session, the student must bow again to the teacher.
Such regulations ensure that students learn in a disciplined and con-
trolled environment, an important factor given that the slightest lapse in
concentration may result in injury or even death. Students learn and exe-
cute a rigorous practice routine of different sets of exercises, after having
mastered basic exercises that develop balance, flexibility, agility, endurance,
and coordination. Beginning students practice with sticks of different sizes.
Training in the use of various swords, the shield, and the spear follows once
the student is proficient enough to use actual weapons.
Thang-ta provided the basis for two other movement traditions of
Manipur: the classical Manipuri dance and the performance techniques of
the ensembles of drum dancers and cymbal dancers and singers known as
Nata Sankirtana. The decorative, nonnarrative hand gestures and the foot-
work of Manipuri dance are said to derive from thang-ta. Also, the basic
stances of the drum dance and the cymbal dance have been influenced by
this martial art.
The ever-present threat of invasion by the warriors of Myanmar and
other kingdoms fostered in Manipur a strong martial tradition, which gave
impetus to a vibrant physical culture as well. Among the ancient indige-
nous sports of Manipur are Sagol Kangjei(polo, which the British learned
in Manipur), Khong Kangjei(a type of field hockey), Yubi Lakpi(coconut
snatching, similar to rugby), Mukna(a style of wrestling), and Kang(a
team sport played indoors only between mid-April and June).
Sohini Ray
See alsoIndia; Meditation; Performing Arts; Religion and Spiritual
Development: India
References
Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi. 1998. Politics, Society and Cosmology in India’s
North East.New Delhi, India: Oxford Publishing House.642 Thang-Ta