Sangai Festival 2015

The Sangai Festival 2015 of Manipur (ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯁꯥꯉꯥꯏ ꯐꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯤꯚꯦꯜ ꯲꯰꯱꯵) was an annual cultural event held to showcase the rich traditions, culture, and natural beauty of the state. The festival was organized by the Manipur Tourism Department to promote tourism in the region.^[1]

The 2015 festival began on a Saturday with a grand opening ceremony. It was attended by important guests from the state, the nation, and abroad, along with many local visitors. The event was officially inaugurated by the Governor of Manipur, V Shanmuganathan, who was the chief guest.^[1]

The Sangai Festival showcased traditional houses of various indigenous communities of Manipur at Hapta Kangjeibung, including the Meetei's Sangai Yumjao with its courtyard and front pond. Under the supervision of Tribal Museum Director Yumnam Gyaneshore, houses representing communities like Tangkhul, Maring, Mao, and others were constructed, with some delays due to material shortages and uncertainty over their permanence. The festival also featured the Asian Theatre Festival at Chandrakriti Auditorium Hall, a Film Festival hosted by the Manipur Film Development Corporation, and multiple Shumang Leela performances at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen, involving female and male groups. Cultural programs were held at Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre, with event organization shared between the Sangai Festival Committee and the Arts and Culture Department.^[2]

Traditional huts, the Imphal War Museum, and sand art were the most visited attractions by visitors.^[3]

Traditional houses of various communities such as Meitei (Yumjao), Maring (Chim), Thadou (In), Zeme (Chaki), Mao (Ochi), Liangmei (Chaki), Tangkhul (Sim), Poumai (Chi), Gangte (In), Paite (In), Rongmei (Tarangkai), Chiru (In), Kom (In), and others were displayed at the festival venue along with important household items. These houses, decorated with traditional clothes, tools, and utensils, helped visitors learn more about each community.^[4]

At the Manipur Sangai Festival 2015, Angom Ongbi Kamala Devi and her sister Oinam Chandani Devi displayed traditional Kouna crafts at stall no. 59. Kamala, a state award-winning craftsperson, showcased items like mats, bags, baskets, and a decorative Sangai deer made from Kouna. This craft, popular in Manipur due to abundant raw materials and demand from India and abroad, helped Kamala provide jobs to local people. She said the festival was a great chance to promote Manipur's unique Kouna craft and attract buyers.^[5]

According to government records, a total of 184 foreign tourists visited Imphal to attend the Sangai Festival, while around 307 foreign tourists came to the state for personal purposes.^[6] Around 72 tourists from Myanmar visited Imphal. Other visitors included 41 from Thailand, 22 from Bangladesh, 16 from Japan, 7 each from the UK and Australia, 6 from the US, 4 from China, 2 from Bhutan, and 1 each from Norway, France, Denmark, Indonesia, Lesotho, and Nigeria.^[6]

A Golden Myanmar Airlines flight landed at Imphal Airport during the Sangai Festival 2015. Two Meeteis from Mandalay came with other tour operators. This was the sixth time the flight came to Imphal for the festival in three years. Officials wanted to start regular flights between Imphal and Mandalay. Visitors said Manipur and Myanmar have similar cultures. One Meetei said visiting Manipur reminded them of their ancestors.^[7]

Manipur Chief Secretary O Nabakishor launched a week-long cleanliness drive in Imphal from November 9 to 16, 2015, under the theme “Clean Manipur, Green Manipur,” as part of the Manipur Sangai Festival. The drive, organized by the Tourism Department and Imphal Municipal Council, began at Keishampat Junction. Nabakishor urged people to stop littering and highlighted the need to keep Imphal clean to boost tourism and improve the state's image.^[8]

On November 15, a trial run of JnNURM low floor buses was held in Imphal to serve Sangai Festival visitors. Eleven buses ran on Routes 3 and 6 with a Rs 10 fare. The service operated on a no-profit basis and covered Greater Imphal. The state planned to use the buses for schools and government offices after the festival, with public service expected to resume later.^[9]

Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh flagged off the first Sangai Festival 2015 tour bus from Imphal to Sendra, welcoming international tourists including a Myanmar MP. The event was organized by the Manipur Tourism Department and attended by senior officials.^[10]

The festival was also attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to India, Nils Ragnar Kamsvag, Lady Anne Josephine Kamsvag, and Johan Laav, the Second Secretary for Political Affairs at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi.^[1]

Governor V Shanmuganathan praised the festival's overall concept and excellent arrangements. He said the festival aimed to use Manipur's rich culture and traditions to boost the tourism industry. He described Manipur as having serene hills, beautiful landscapes, and unique plants and animals, making it a good place for tourists to visit.^[1]

The Governor expressed confidence that improvements in tourism infrastructure, such as hotels, roads, and transportation, along with government efforts, were helping the tourism sector grow. He also mentioned India's "Look East Policy" and "Act East Policy" as opportunities to increase tourism.^[1]

The Governor noted that Manipur was often known more for law and order problems than for its natural beauty and resources. He mentioned recent incidents of communal tension in the state, which discouraged tourists. He emphasized that it was the responsibility of both the government and the people to change this negative image.^[1]

Governor Shanmuganathan advised authorities that, besides building good accommodation and transport, marketing was important. He said tourism promotion should be organized well to attract visitors. He also suggested involving more countries in the festival to make it more appealing and meaningful.^[1]

Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi spoke about the festival's purpose, which was to show the best of Manipur, including its cultural heritage, folk dances, local food, music, adventure sports, and natural beauty. He said the festival had been promoted worldwide through social media and live streaming.^[1]

The Chief Minister also said that tourism growth needed basic infrastructure like good roads, water, and power, not only in Imphal but also in remote areas with tourism potential. He stated that overcoming these challenges would help develop the tourism sector properly.^[1]

Hoardings for the Manipur Sangai Festival 2015 were put up on road medians with fluorescent lights, showing the State animal, Sangai. However, many pictures did not look like a real Sangai. Some onlookers complained and took photos, saying the images were distorted and misrepresented the animal.^[11]

• Meitei festivals