BJP not anti-Christian: Prof Kamei
IMPHAL, May 25: BJP is a democratic party and it is not anti-Christian, asserted BJP Schedule Tribe Morcha na-tional vice president Prof Gangmumei Kamei. Alleging that it is the Congress party which has been projecting BJP as a party op-posed to Chris.....
UNC political tour in Tml concludes
IMPHAL, May 25: The third leg of the United Naga Council (UNC) political tour in Naga areas was undertaken in Iriang-long (Tamenglong) district in association with the Zeliang-rong Baudi, Manipur and the frontal organisations of the region from May 23 to.....
Sugar to bypass CAF&PD
IMPHAL, May 25: In place of the existing system of distri-buting the PDS item of sugar through Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Department after the commodity is handed over to the department by FCI, the Government would now buy sugar fro.....
Mary Kom activates academy works
IMPHAL, May 25: Conse-quent to the in-principle approval for granting Rs 309.56 lakhs to the Regional Boxing Foundation run by London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom, the ace boxer has reportedly chalked out plans to begin construction works of an i.....
MDF cadres to be shifted elsewhere
IMPHAL, May 25: Following Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam’s assurance that surren-dered KYKL-MDF cadres being accommo- dated in an Assam Rifles camp at Chandel would be shifted to permanent designated camps outside Chandel district as soon as possible,.....
Rs 5.4 lakhs recovered
IMPHAL, May 25: A sum of Rs 5.4 lakhs have has been recovered from a former De-puty Commissioner and two former ZEOs under the Mani-pur Public Servant Personal Liability Act for engaging four workers wrongfully in non-formal education sector in Bishnupur .....
AMCO urges
IMPHAL, May 25: While commiserating the victims of the alleged forced eviction of Kabo Leikai, the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) has implored Chief Minister O Ibobi and all con-cerned to work out a just and amicable solution to the pro-blem ar.....
Ibobi departs
IMPHAL, May 25: Chief Minister O Ibobi today left Imphal for Myanmar to participate in the NE India Business Conclave in the Myanmarese city of Monewa. Whereas other delegates from the State would travel to Monewa by road, Ibobi would fly up to Mandalay t.....
Mishap claims one
IMPHAL, May 25: An elderly man died following a road mi-shap that occurred at Tera Ton- gbram Leirak Machin along Imphal-Jiri road under Lam-phel PS today. According to report culled from the spot, five persons including children were injured when a Marut.....
One held
IMPHAL, May 25: A team of Imphal east commandos with lady police arrested a woman identified as Chingnuam Zou (47) d/o Chinzagen Zou of Moreh Ward No 2 yesterday around 6.15pm along with 200 pink colour tablets marked as 88. A statement issued by the I.....
Electrocuted
IMPHAL, May 25: Three cattle were electrocuted after coming into bodily contact with loosened HT wires at Bamon Kampu Maning Takhok Loukon in Imphal East yesterday. Two of the cows were owned by one Sapam Samungou of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai while one.....
BJP congratulates
IMPHAL, May 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ST Morcha, Manipur has congratulated Prof Gangmumei Kamei, ex-minister on being appointed as the All India National VP, ST Morcha of BJP by the Central Office, New Delhi. A statement issued by the genera.....
IGAR (S) greets
IMPHAL, May 25: Major General UK Gurung, AVSM, YSM, IG AR (South) and all ranks of the Assam Rifles extended warm greetings and sincere goodwill to the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. IG AR (South) also conveys his earnest .....
ZSU urges
IMPHAL, May 25: Taking serious note of the pathetic condition of Khangsillung Higher Secondary School at Khoupum Valley, the only institution in the area that provides higher learning, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Khoupum Area (ZSUKA) has drawn the .....
PNU condoles
IMPHAL, May 25: The Poumai Naga Union has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of its general secretary, Heni Romeo of Kodom Khavii village on May 20. A statement issued by the president of PNU, Ng Lorho remembered the deceased.....
Ukhrul boy awarded
IMPHAL, May 25: Horreingam AS Zimik s/o Ngathingkhui AS Zimik and Grace AS Zimik of Singcha, Ukhrul was awarded with a cash incentive of Rs 2000 for scoring the highest mark in the recently declared HSLC result from St George School, Hungpung Dungrei, Ukh.....
JAC flays police highhandedness
IMPHAL, May 25: The JAC against forced eviction of Naga River Lane, Kabo Leikai has vehemently condemned the act of security personnel led by SP (Imphal West) against the democratic and nonviolent activities of the JAC at Naga River today. Grace Shatsh.....
PREPAK clarifies
IMPHAL, May 25: The proscribed PREPAK has clarified that the outfit has nothing to do with the .32 pistol seized from the possession of Oinam Sidaba alias Mico alias Tony alias Charlie (30) s/o O Ibotombi of Oinam Mamang Leikai for the party had snapped a.....
CDSU endorses ATSUM’s proposed agitation
Lamka, May 25: The CDSU today said it fully endorsed the call made by ATSUM to for an intense and sustained agitation due to the uncooperative attitude, time and again shown by the State Government on the aspirations of the State tribal. Stating that A.....
Foundation stone laid
THOUBAL, May 25: The foundation for construction of Pine Mount Girls' College building was laid today at Chadonpokpi Phaipi village in Chandel district today. The foundation laying ceremony was graced by DC of Chandel, Th Chitaranjan Singh; Chairman of.....
Monday Musings
By : Maisnam Chanu Liklainu
Meeting a Thang Ta practitioner : Kanglei kick
I met this inspirational Thang–ta teacher and was blown away when she threw a series of kicks, blocks and punches with or without using the swords. I saw her doing intense workout, stretching and applying self-defense methods. I still remember her unique moves, footwork, big leaps and quick turns. I saw the wear and tear on the joints and tendons. At first glance she looked petite, delicate, poised and fragile. I was pleasantly surprised by her endurance and strength. She had beaten bad guys who tried to tease her by using Thang-ta skills. I was so eager and excited to meet her because her stories were pleasing to the ears. She has been practising Thang- ta since she was eight years old, she would tell me the art of fighting is not about throwing punches blindly it depends on how swift you move and think; and that how a cool mind and speed are also important.
This Thang-ta teacher exemplifies discipline, respect and compassion. She is the type who pushed harder to beat an opponent. I observed her performing the chingkhei khurumba, khongrai mapum leiba, tagi sajel, ningsa kanglon, tingthokpi sajel and sevoti . She often used to mention that Thang-ta is a system of physical and spiritual exercise but also enables a perfect coordination of mind and body. These exercises performed by her were beautiful, elegant and graceful. It was inspirational, expressive and energetic .The tha machet saba khongpham ahum demonstration was rhythmic, flexible and packed with action.I noticed footsteps used in Thang ta like khongpham hatnabi, pallandabi, khongfam manga are the most amazing moves.
The Thang- ta teacher told me once that the practitioners of this art rise to the occasion, they do what needs to be done, save people, have immense strength and is always prepared for emergencies. This art instills discipline, shapes human character and give meaning to life. It requires both physical and mental agility, balance and coordination. It is practiced for fitness, inner strength and self-belief. This is a venerable form of spiritual and physical exercise and this martial art system is very effective. The behaviour of the practitioners is corrected by the instructor and the objective is to control and defeat the opponent. Most of the teachers keep a low-profile and their ambition is to produce exceptional students. The teachers don’t teach a large group of people but focused on some dedicated students. There are advanced instructors who have produced outstanding students and they want to pass on the art.
My first introduction to martial arts began in our neighbourhood and I remember those cousins using unique vocabularies like kihon, kata, kumite ,sensei ,gi, chudan and gedan .The exponents used Japanese counting words like ichi, ni ,san, shi, go, roku and the training hall reverberated with the sounds of these words. Some years ago Shotokan karate, Budokan karate , Kungfu , Thai boxing were quite popular in Manipur. Punch downwards and chop with fist were taught by a local brother who was into several forms of martial arts. The style was all about pivoting on right heel to the right toes, toes pointing southeast and then turning right hand with the palm facing up, moving left across torso to right hand, left palm facing slantingly down and then changing right hand to a fist.
As for the chop with fist style one has to pivot on left heel to the right with toes pointing south west by turning the torso then raise left hand above forehead with the palm facing out south and moving the right fist across torso to right waist level. Bruce Lee mania hit Manipur and there were several stories about how people went crazy about his films. He was an iconic figure, many of the practitioners emulated him, there were stories of street fights a la Bruce Lee. His films were very popular and some guys pick up the fighting style from his films. Lee shoes were quite popular, people opted for this low priced shoes than to branded ones. Such was the popularity of Bruce Lee and his films churned out from Hong Kong.
The beauty of Thang-ta is that it is apolitical, it’s not profit- earning, it is spiritual, it is uplifting and gives a sense of well-being. It’s all about self-discipline, the attention is focused on training and developing the skill and character of student. The notion of honour, respect , strictness and self-sacrifice are emphasized. It brings us closer to our ancestors and to our roots. Long live our Thang-ta practitioners!
Miss Damn Care
Quite an interesting read. I must also meet this Thang-Ta Oja for sure :)
Poirei
Thanks for writing article on Thang ta.More writers should write on this art.
Boinou
girls shud take up martial arts for self-defence.for a fit society girls shud karate,kungfu,thangta
bomcha
need to publicize more.the govt should sponsor demonstrations outside Manipur.read sometime back about a Thang Ta tournament. such events be held regularly.
Ishwar
I am very happy with this article. We should try to up the status of thang ta and kwon by the peoples of world as the other martil arts does.more state level comptn should be organised and rewarded as state game.
Nonglen
After Anglo-British war, British were so scared that they banned it in any form of practice. That's the power of thang-ta. Every one of us should practice it, like the Chinese with Kung-fu, Japanese with Karate, Mo-Thai with Thais, then only outside world will knew about it. It's our martial art, we all are proud of it.
