Sutra Dance Theatre in collaboration with the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur will present a 6-member Manipuri Thang Ta (Martial Arts) group sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi.
Thang (Sword) and Ta (Spear), used in martial arts in Manipur, inspire dramatic classical dance traditions that are an amalgamation of rhythm and instruments.
Date: Wednesday, 30 October, 2002
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Amphi-Sutra, 12 Persiaran Titiwangsa 3, KL
Entry: Minimum donation of RM25 per person, Students RM15 (student identification required)
Enquiries: tel – 4021 1092 (weekdays 11am to 5pm only)
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The artists are part of Ranganiketan, a centre for Manipuri Arts and Culture, which promotes the classical Indian culture in the form of performing arts with special focus on Manipuri dance, Nata-Sankirtan, martial arts and tribal dances of North-Eastern India. They are some of the finest and most accomplished artists of Manipur and have performed both at home and abroad winning great acclaim and medals of honor. At present they are on their way back from participating in the Festival of India in Indonesia.
Manipuris inherited a martial arts heritage from their forefathers who had to defend their country against neighbouring giants. Thus Manipuris have developed and mastered highly sophisticated forms of martial arts from very ancient times. Of various forms of Manipuri Thang Ta – sword fight, spear fight and wrestling are quite prominent. Like the silat of the Malays, the forms of self-defense of Manipur have become a kind of dance on stage. They have now been adapted into breath-taking, graceful, elegant and exciting martial arts performances perfect for the modern stage.