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.

Baba Harbhajan Singh

Late Sepoy Harbhajan Singh or Baba Harbhajan Singh, as he is known today was born in the village of Sadrana, Gujjarawala district now in Pakistan. He enrolled himself in the army in the year 1956 as a soldier in the Signal Corps. In the year 1965 he was granted Commission and posted to 14 Rajput Regiment. In the war of 1965 he served as the Adjutant of the Unit and later  was transferred to 18 Rajput.

The hoarding at Baba's Shrine giving a brief introductory description about Baba

On 4th October 1968, he slipped past a glacier near Nathu-La Pass in Sikkim and drowned to death while carrying ration to remote post from Tuku La to Dongohui La. The downline water stream carried his body two kilometres down the nullah. His story doesn't end here.

Baba's shrine with the Tricolour

He appeared in the dreams of one of his co-soldier and guided him to the exact location where he was found after three days of his death. He also instructed one of his colleagues in his dream to construct a shrine in his name. Accordingly, the Unit then constructed a shrine at a place which is 9 kms away from where the present shrine stands today.

The idol of Baba with photos of Hindu and Sikh Gods surrounding him

Even after his death, Baba guards the frontiers and warns soldiers of any impending attack at least three days in advance. Resides among the soldiers guarding there many stories about Baba waking up soldiers who fall asleep during night duty and night patrolling. Indian Army has accepted his presence in the post with his colleagues even after his death and his salary was being sent to his family without any fail. He also received two promotions and was promoted to the rank of a Captain. He also gets two months of leave every year and soldiers carry his picture along with his belongings to his native. A special arrangement is made in such a manner that a train seat is left empty in the entire journey. The army deployed at the post becomes extra cautious whenever Baba is on leave.

Baba's office room

He is not only alive in the beliefs of Indian Army; but equally amongst the Chinese troops posted across the Border. Nathu-La is one among the four posts where Ind-China meets are help. Chinese Army has also admitted seeing Baba on several occasions doing patrolling near the border. During any customary meets between both the armies the Chinese army still keeps a seat empty as a tribute to Baba.

Baba's bedroom with his well maintained uniform beside

The current shrine of Baba is reconstructed at the junction of Kupup Gnathang road and the pathway leading to Menmoichu Lake as apart of the watershed memorial complex. The Baba  Mandir is a three-roomed structure. The central room has a portrait of Baba with some portrait of Hindu and Sikh Gods. The room to the right is the personal room of  Baba with household belongings like clothes, slippers, bed, shoes etc. The room to the left is his office room cum store room. Water bottles, slippers and tooth brushes are kept at stock in the store room. It is believed that the water kept at Baba Harbhajan Shrine is capable of healing ailing people. It is also believed that the slippers kept there helps people with foot problems.

Jawan's distributing prasad to devotees at Baba's shrine

We all are born with a debt to our motherland. As we start working for the betterment of the land and its citizens we start repaying the debt. The day we give our ultimate sacrifice for our motherland we can consider complete repayment of the debt. However, there are people who believe that death can take the soul apart of the human body but the patriotism remains within. Baba's love towards our motherland is an example of extraordinary service to our motherland. Salute to revered Baba for his services to our motherland.

5 places I wish to visit

I don't want to settle in any narrow corner of the world and get confined to any territory. I want to travel the entire world.

Before I step ahead and travel the entire world, I am much eager to explore the place from where I belong - North-East India.

I am born in midst of extreme natural beauty. Greenery, Wildlife, Snow and overflowing rivers are the sites that I have always wanted to dwell across ever since a child. Five places I would like to explore as an amateur traveler are -

1. Sivasagar

Sivasagar is town located in Upper Assam, 360 Kilometers from Guwahati. Sivasagar was previously the capital of Ahom Kingdom. It is the home to many ancient heritages.

Devidol is the temple of Hindu Goddess Durga that has been standing tall for three centuries. The architecture speaks all about the Golden days of Assam History.

Sivadol is one of the tallest Shiva temple of the world. It was built about three centuries back. The center of attraction there mainly is the gigantic architecture and religious values. It has three temples built on the bank of Sivasagar Tank. All the three were built by Queen Ambika, wife of King Shiva Singha.

Kareng Ghar is a four storied building and arranged in gradually receding towers of which only two can be seen.The top floor has a dome like roof with a chamber. The groud floor has three west facing halls with a front and rear chamber. The palace is well secured by digging canals around the place and then building fort like walls around it.

Ranghar is a double storied royal pavilion of Ahom Kings with unique architectural features. It ias an unique amphitheater built by the Ahom Kings, which symbolizes the pride of Ahom Kingdom. It resembles the Roman Colosseum in the fact that Ahom Kings used this as a platform of enjoying sports.  

2. Teesta & Rangit River

The nearest town to access there two rivers is Kalimpong. White Water rafting has been one of my childhood wishes. Rivers for ages have been the arteries of communication and culture, today can be explored for sports and recreation. The spells of swift, intense encounters with foaming, roaring waters are punctuated by many more longer periods of gentle floating with opportunities to observe natural wonders along continuously varying canvas of the river banks. 

3. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam is one of the biodiversity hot spot. The scenic beauty includes a range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. The site provides critical and viable habitat for rare and endangered species including tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog, and Bengal florican. Manas has exceptional importance with the Indian sub-continents protected areas, as one of the most significant remaining natural areas in the region, where size able populations of large number of threatened species continue to survive.

4. Hornbill Festival

Hornbill festival is celebrated every year in between 1st to 10th December in Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is around 12 Kms from Kohima. The festival shows a melange of cultural display under one roof. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The festival aims to protect the rich and varied culture of the state. The week long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colorful performances, crafts, sports, food, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts include paintings, wood carvings and sculptures. Festival highlights include traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, Herbal Medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Traditional Archery, Naga Wrestling, Indigenous games and musical concert.  

5. Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong Village in East Khasi Hills, also referred to as 'Gods Own Garden' , has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. Mawlynnong is located 90 Kms from Shillong and 92 Kms from Cherapunjee. The onus to keep the village clean lies with every person residing in the village. Local cleaning the roads, picking up leaves and throwing garbage in the bin is a common sight. Bamboo garbage bins adorn every nook and corner of the village highlight the consciousness of cleanliness among the villagers. Cleanliness is an old tradition and a way of life for all villagers. The village gives an experience of walking on a live root bridge, 85 feet tall sky walk and a breath taking view of Bangladesh Border. Suprisingly the village has 100 percent literacy rate.

This is a post for Indispire Edition - 8 of Indiblogger. 

I submit this post today on the day of Assamese New Year.