Thang Ta - Manipuri Martial Art

Thang Ta is one of the two martial art forms that originated in India, the other being Kallaripayattu.  Thang Ta originated in the state of Manipur and its original name is HUYEN LALLONG.  Manipur has been an independent kingdom since the early Christian era. It has played an important role in the geopolitical environment of medieval times in between India and China with many independent states at war with each other. Constant life and death struggles between clans, tribes and states resulted in the devising of ways and means of safeguarding the lives of the citizen soldiery and at the same time developing an inward attitude to problems of life, death and afterlife. Battle art plays a pivotal role in small tribes as it forms a method of protection from enemies and also gives a status and recognition within the tribe. Thang Ta  (The art of sword and the spear) was secretly practised by the Gurus and disciples during the British Raj as it was purely prohibited. The heart of Thang Ta is the sword.

Female performers practising Thang Ta

The different moves of this ancient Martial art Style has been bought from daily body postures and movements. Khurumba (the bow) is the movement that represents the  front flexion with the relaxed spine. This movement provides body rotation towards the front. Tha Leiba is rotation and tilts of the pelvic joint in different angles. Occasional half turn of the chest is also common. This movement emphasises on middle body movement. Thong khong is the posture of lowering of the upper extremities nearer to the ground, where the two legs in deep bent position and it supports the whole body. thereby proximally utilizing the use of the upper extremities at the ground level. This movement emphasises on middle body movement to  the ground. Wai teiba is  a daily ritual of cleaning the floor by women. Women use a different flexible squat system with the bent knees opened out to enable the forward flexion of the torso or spine. This gives a forward movement and also movement of hands and control to form out the figure of eight.

Performers practising Thang Ta at a school

Thang Ta is practised and taught under strict code of conduct. The initiation of training starts with a ceremony. The initiation ceremony begins with lighting candles in front of  Pakhangba, the originator of Thang  Ta. The student offers a gift to the Master and then asks for his permission to accept him as his student and the Master does that after accepting the gift. The School where Thang Ta is taught is known as Sindamsang. The student has to enter the Sindamsang barefoot and has to bow in front of the master and also to other senior members present. The training floor is cleaned and groomed before practice. The student also has to bow to Pakhanga before each practice session. The student has to also bow to his partner before practicing.  There are several weapons that are used while practicing Thang Ta. The student needs to touch the weapon and offer a mark of respect to it by touching it and bringing the hand to his head. The student also needs to take care that the weapon doesn’t fall in anybody’s feet. Whenever any instruction is given by the teacher the student needs to stand still. Any intoxication is strictly prohibited. After the session ends, the student again needs to bow down to his master. Such regulations ensure that there is minimum or no injury during the practice and also students learn to build in themselves patience and discipline, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the martial art.

A performer practising Thang Ta with his gear

Thang Ta practitioners also need to take care of certain other codes of conduct. There is strict prohibition of marching against any opponent who is running away in fear or has given up. The practitioners need to take care of this or else it is believed to be sin. Thang Ta is more of spiritual than physical. The practitioners need to follow certain routine. Thang Ta practitioners wear a certain cloth which is usually worn by the dead, thus symbolising the readiness for ultimate sacrifice by the practitioner. Thang Ta symbolises selflessness.

Performers practising Thang Ta

The history of Huyen Langlon has made  its origin branch to several forms. Each technique can specifically be broken down into several various forms. Thang-Ta is the armed version which involves the use of spears, axes and shields in combat. Sarit Sarak is an unarmed version with various forms of evasive and defensive attack. Fundamentals in Sarit Sarak include footwork, kicks, hits and rolling around in the floor. Punaba Ana is a form which is fought with small leather shield and fighting sticks. However, they are not used allowed to use their legs. Thangkairol is an individual swordplay which is ornamented with swords and individuals perform with performers performing with one or more swords. Yannathang is a form in which two martial art performers get in to combats with swords. Khosarol is the form in which the performers fight with spears. Thengkoural is the form which is reserved known by very few masters and it is kept to only a few practitioners.

Thang Ta practitioners need to maintain self-discipline to a great extent. They need to practice, worship and keep training every day. Although the martial arts involve attacking the opponents, yet the practitioners have to maintain the dignity of not harming any enemy who has already given up. The warrior has to protect his land, people and the king with the secrets of yantra, mantra and tantra. Their dedication of the practitioners can be well found out from their habit wearing a sacred cloth which is worn by dead which symbolises their readiness to die.

Today Thang Ta is losing its glory and only some stage practitioners are keeping it alive. Its preservation demands an early attention.