31/01/2022
Manipur, fondly called “the bejeweled land”, is truly one of the hidden gems of Northeast India. Relatively unexplored as compared to the other parts of the country, the culture of Manipur is full of treasures. Here, we dive deep into the rich tradition and culture of Manipur that is home to enchanting art forms, delicious food, and vibrant festivals.
The cuisine of Manipur is as diverse as the state itself. With each of the multitude of tribes of the state having their special dishes, their blend is a wonderful concoction of culture. Popular dishes include those like Eromba Chutney, Yen Thongba (chicken), Nganu Thongba (duck), Oak Thongba (pork), and San Thongba (beef). Prepared in a style of cooking exclusive to the region, their usage of the native spices gives an edge to the brilliant food culture of Manipur. Though daily home-cooked meals include rice and side dishes of vegetables or meat.
The indigenous culture often includes various aspects like melodious music skillfully produced from the instruments like Pena which have existed since centuries. The Pena, which is similar to a violin, is made of bamboo and has stood the test of time. Today, it has become one of the most popular Manipuri instruments. Nameirakpam Ibemni Devi is a highly acclaimed musician from the state who was awarded one of the country’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri. She was an accelerator of the Khongjom Parba genre of Manipuri classical music.
The dances of Manipur are often so mesmerizing that the viewers are left stunned by its beauty, grace and coordination. The distinct dance form of the state is the Manipuri dance or Jagoi which is recognized as one of India’s major classical dance forms. This dance depicts the love story of Lord Krishna and his lover Radha during the festival of Raas Leela. Unlike the popular Kathakali dance and its similar forms which heavily rely on facial expressions and eye movements, the Manipuri dance is quite lax in this forte. Instead, the dance form is more focused on the graceful movement of the entire body.
The notable art and heritage crafts forms of the land include extensive usage of bamboo and Papier-mâché. The Kauna variety of reed that grows on the river banks is also used for the local handicrafts. The notable art style of the state is the Longpi pottery that originates from the two villages of Longpi. The Tangkhul Naga tribes inhabiting this region are skilled at crafting these beautiful utensils from black serpentinite stone and a special brown clay and then polishing them with the leaves of a native tree. These utensils and pottery have recently seen a rise in international sales and have become a major export.
The architecture itself is a form of art in Manipur. The temples of the state like Kiyong, Thellon, and Laishang are the best examples of the state’s architecture. After the arrival of Hinduism, the Vaishnava influence could be seen clearly on the structures. These temples also had the holy horns or Chirongs as a distinguishing feature of the architecture. These Chirongs were also added to the tribal houses as these were believed to make the house complete. On these symbolic Chirongs, various elements relating to daily lives, like birds and flowers are carved.
The architecture itself is a form of art in Manipur. The temples of the state like Kiyong, Thellon, and Laishang are the best examples of the state’s architecture. After the arrival of Hinduism, the Vaishnava influence could be seen clearly on the structures. These temples also had the holy horns or Chirongs as a distinguishing feature of the architecture. These Chirongs were also added to the tribal houses as these were believed to make the house complete. On these symbolic Chirongs, various elements relating to daily lives, like birds and flowers are carved.
Vibrant cultures often lead to numerous festivals to celebrate their diversity. Manipur too has many such events. Many Indian cultures have their unique forms of boat racing. Manipur celebrates its version in the Langbal month of their calendar annually. The lively boat races that take place in the Bijoy Govinda Canal are a spectacle to behold. The northeastern states of our country have a significant Christian population. The religion is a majority in many of these states. In Manipur, the festival takes place with great pomp and joy, and all religious communities celebrate this festival in harmony. Another festival is the Lai Haraoba, literally the festival of Gods, which revers all the lords of Manipuri Mythology simultaneously.
