IMPHAL, March 19: Higai-wa waved Bangaloreans towards national integration at the Manipur and North East Mega Dance Festival at Bangalore. Higai-wa, a dance ballet based on national integration is choreographed by Angabala Irengbam, a renowned Manipuri Dance Director and Choreographer. ‘Higai-wa’ which literally means ‘false instigation’ is scripted by Bijenti Irengbam with Robert Irom as the music composer. Manipuri Ras Lila, Lai Haraoba Dance, Pung Cholom, Stick Dance, Fire Dance and Bihu Dance of Assam were the other main attractions of the festival.
The two days festival was organized by Kajeng Lei, Centre for Manipuri Art & Culture, Bangalore at the Samsha Open Air Theatre, Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bangalore. Kajeng Lei is a cultural organization for Manipuri Classical, Folk and Martial Arts founded by Angabala Irengbam in 2010. The festival was held with the objective of mutual interaction, cultural exchange and establishing friendship ties between the North East and Karanataka. 51 Artists from Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Karnataka participated in the festival.
The inaugural function of the festival held on 16th March, 2013 was attended by Shri Basavaraju( IAS) Secretary (Art & Culture), Karnataka, Shri Lalrukhuma Pachau (IPS) DGP Karnataka, Shri Yambem Laba, President, Kajeng Lei and many other cultural lovers.