Tanglei Festival 2017 (Review) ~ Lukhendro Keisham

Tanglei Festival

(Review)

by Lukhendro Keisham

Organised by Oinam Sports Association the second edition of Tanglei Festival was held from 5th to 12th February, 2017 at Tangleibung Ground, Oinam. It is a multiple day socio - cultural festival featuring sports, music, fashion, art & culture, human resource, food, health and hygiene related events along with the promotion of local business and entrepreneurs in the area.

Before the actual festival began the Tanglei Cup, six - a - side open football tournament commenced on 4th of Feb. The tournament was inaugurated by Mr. Laishram Rishikanta Singh (Pradhan, Utlou Gram Panchayat), Mr. O. Chaoba Singh (an elder of Oinam) and Mr. Oinam Kirankumar Singh (Joint Secretary, T.R.U.G.P.U Nambol) as chief guest, president and guest of honor respectively.

Lai - Hui ft. Mangka, an international folk artist at TMF's Folk Day

CURTAIN RAISER DAY: The 5th of Feb. 2017 was the opening day of Tanglei Festival. Dr. T Bhabananda Singh, Mr. Th. Swarankumar Singh and Dr. I. S Konthoujam presided as chief guest, president and guest of honor respectively. The hosting of festival flag marked the commencement of all events of the festival. Audition for Tanglei Dance Championship's Mo'dance was held in the evening. While at the Thambal Marik College's Indoor Hall the second edition of Tanglei Badminton Tournament was inaugurated.

Participants at Tanglei Edufest's Painting Competition

EDUCATIONAL DAY: The second day, 6th Feb. 2017 was the Educational Day of Tanglei Festival. On this day a painting competition under Tanglei Edufest was held at Ibudhou Tangleibung Campus. Sixty students from various schools took part at the competition. Sanjenbam Silpa Devi, Angonjam Kerina Devi and Y. Rakesh Singh all from St, John's School of Nambol bagged the first, second and third position respectively under the sub - junior category. In the junior category Langlenthobi Chanambam and Th. Abinash Singh both from The Comprehensive School of Oinam bagged the first position, Phurailalpam Zilandia Devi of St. John's School of Nambol bagged second and Laitonjam Puja Devi of The Comprehensive School of Oinam bagged third position. Outstanding Artwork Award was won by Nevia Asem of St. John's School of Nambol.

Apart from the league matches of Tanglei Cup the Tanglei Edufest's School Quiz Competition was held in the evening. Dr. Mutum Mangi Singh (Principal, C.I College), Mr. Oinam Kulabidhu Singh (Principal, Thambal Marik College) and Mr. Nameirakpam Indubhusan Singh (C/o Tanglei Gas, sponsor of Tanglei Dance Championship) graced the quiz competition as chief guest, president and guest of honor respectively. St. Joseph School of Sangaiprou, The Comprehensive School of Oinam and St. John's School of Nambol bagged the first, second and third position respectively. Rajeshkumar Nongtombam of Oinam Keithel was the quiz master. Later the grand finale of Tanglei Dance Championship's Mo'dance was held. Elizabeth Irom, Rokiya Hijam and Tanu Thokchom bagged the first, second and third positions respectively. Oinam Malemnganga Meetei and Christina Thounaojam won the Best Jury and Best Choreography Award respectively. Consolation prizes were given to Changkhomba Hijam, Hera Laishram, Hidangmayum Alina Sharma, Sapam Shubochand, Maisnam Baby Lingjel Chanu and Kurika Sanjenbam.

Local Meira Paibi, women torch bearer of Manipur

WOMEN DAY: Women Day of the festival was observed on 7th Feb. 2017. On the day a sumang leela (play) named, Nungshirabi Abem performed by Sangai Artist Association was presented in the evening. The play was a part of Sumang Kumhei of the festival. The play was sponsored by Tangleibung Semgatpa Naharol Lup of Oinam in the name of the coming Ibudhou Tangleibung Khuruba Numit on 1st March, 2017. A large numbers of meira paibis (women torch bearers) from various leikais (localities) of Oinam participated the festival with their torches shouting slogans of peace and unity in Manipur.

Meetei folk artist Mr. Oinam Sanaton Meetei at TMF's Folk Day

HEALTH DAY: On the Health Day of Tanglei Festival, 8th Feb. 2017 a Free Medical Camp was conducted by a team of doctors and crew from Shija Hospital & Research Institute, Imphal. Around 70 men and women came for consultation.

TRANSGENDER DAY: The fifth day of Tanglei Festival, 9th Feb., 2017 was observed as the Transgender Day. Various messages on transgender were shared to the visitors. Due to the schedule conflict the Transgender Fashion was postponed for next day.

Friends posing for the lens at Tangle Festival

INDIGENOUS SPORTS DAY: The next day was the Indigenos Sports Day on 10th Feb. 2017. The indigenous sports planned for the day were cancelled due to the shortfalls of participant. The three days Tanglei Music Festival kicked off on the day. The first day of the music festival was marked Folk Day. Oinam Sanaton Meetei, a renowned pena artist and Mangka, an international folk artist along with her group Laihui enthrilled the crowd with a pure organic folk music presentation. After the musical session the Transman Fashion was held on the same stage. Twenty transman models took part at the fashion show. Jenny Khurai (beautician) and Galif Pa (designer) were the star guest of the day. They interacted and shared their expertise with the crowds.

Mini stage during a Tanglei Cup match at Tanglei Festival

TOWN DAY: The 11th Feb. 2017 and seventh day of Tanglei Festival was observed as Town Day. Womenfolk of Oinam took out a Meira (torch) rally in the evening. With the message of peace and unity among all extends of the state of Manipur they praised the local deity, Ibudhou Tangleibung from where the festival got its name. It was the Tanglei Music Festival's Rock Day too. Rock bands who performed on the day were Arachnids, The Wishess, Virgo Diamond, Imphal Talkies and Pulse Pundit. From soft to ambient, heavy to organic and followed by famous covers from legendary bands the evening was filled with the mist of good music and good music alone.

Folk music group Lai-Hui's Pena artist during TMF's Folk Day

CURTAIN CLOSURE DAY: Apart from the Curtain Closure Day of the festival on 12th Feb. 2017 it was the third and final day of Tanglei Music Festival named Matam Eshei Day. Featuring Tapta, the largest fan following singing artist in Manipur the festival honored the artist as "The Legendary Tapta". Before the musical show the Tanglei Dance Championship's Battle de Tanglei was held at the main stage. DJ Nusanz did the background music and Bboy Era, Bboy Tombi and Bboy Vvek judged the battles. Bboy Ki and Smiley Crew won the tittles for solo and crew - on - crew categories respectively. The final matches of Tanglei Badminton Tournament were held earlier on the day at Thambal Marik College's Indoor Hall. The pair of Mutum Oken Singh and Hitanjit Leishangthem beat Irom Ajitkumar Singh and Zafferey Oinam at man's double.

Due to rain and unavoidable circumstances the final match of Tanglei Cup and the prize distribution of the entire festival was held on 23rd April, 017. Mr. Laishram Radhakishore Singh, Hon'ble Member of Legislative Assembly from Oinam Assembly Constituency graced the function as chief guest. In the final match T.Y.D.A Toubul and K.P.F.C Kha Potshangbam were decleared winner and runner of Tanglei Cup 2017 with a cash award of Rs.50,000/- and Rs.30,000/- respectively.