IMPHAL, Sept 23: There is high possibilities of participation of cultural troops from countries like Thailand and Maynamar and from the NE sister states at the Manipur Sangai Festival 2011, said state commissioner Tourism KK Chhetri, during the launching of premier website of the festival at Hotel Imphal, this afternoon.
He further mentioned that the website, ‘www. manipursangaifestival.com’ was launched under the initiative of the state tourism department in an endeavour to showcase and promote the best of Manipur in terms of arts and culture, handloom and handicrafts, fine arts, indigenous cuisines, traditional dances and music, indigenous games and adventure sports preceeding this years Sangai festival which is scheduled for November 21 to 30 as in every year.
He also mentioned that, the Manipur Sangai festival is a fixed annual calendar event held from November 21 to 30 every year. Although many editions of the festival had been celebrated over the past years, the tourism festival has been renamed as the Manipur Sanagai Festival since the 2010 edition.
This has been done to showcase the uniqueness of the shy and gentle Brow-Antlered deer popularly known as Sangai deer which is found only in Manipur at Keibul Lamjao National Park, Loktak Lake and to further promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination, he added.
He also mentioned that, Manipur Sangai festival is a state level festival organized by the state government and spearheaded by the state Tourism department. In this festival not only Indian states participate but foreign troupes are also expected for various games and cultural activities.
He also mentioned that, during the festival, rich culture and mystique dances of Manipur would be showcase at fully air conditioned cultural auditorium and indigenous fashion show, rock show and traditional musical nights would be held at the Bheigachandra Open Air Theatre.
The festival would also showcase folk dances like Khamba Thoibi, Pung Cholom, Maibi Jagoi, Nupa Pala and numerous enchanting tribal dances like the Thadou dance, Kabui dance and Thangkhul dance etc.
The commissioner further mentioned that the 2011 festival will also include various adrenaline-filled adventure sports like X-games international Men & Women Open Speed Rock Climbing competition, and artificial wall climbing contest to be held at the mini-adventure complex at Hapta Kangjeibung man venue, a rock show with numerous local rock bands and a traditional fashion show where more than 10 fashion designers will showcase their handicrafts will also be part of the festival.
He further stated that there will also be demonstration of various indigenous sports and games like Yubi Lakpi, Arambai, Kang, Mukhna-Kangjei and Sagol Kangjei (Polo) etc. at Mapal Kangjeibung and Khuman Lampak Sport Complex.
He further mentioned that, all hill districts will each have special feature day during the festivaltroups from Senapati district showcasing on November 23, Tamenglong on November 24, Churachandpur on November 25 and the special feature day for the troupes from Chandel and Ukhrul district will be held on November 26 and 27 respectively.
The commissioner further mentioned that, adventure expeditions to the hill districts and at Landan Adventure Tourism Complex would also be undertaken in association with the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA).
He finally mentioned that, online promotion is an important aspect of showcasing the Manipur Sangai festival and the state to world.
Through this newly launched website, tourism in Manipur is expected to bring in tourists and businesses and thereby transformed Manipur into a tourism hotspot and a favourite new tourism destination, he added.
The formal function for the launching of the premier website for Manipur Sangai Festival, 2011 held this evening was attended by the under secretary and director of the tourism department along with the staffs at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal.