IMPHAL, April 19 (NNN): Thingyan (Water festival) hosted by the Centre for Myanmar Studies of Manipur University concluded on Monday with a Burmese dance performed by the students of Manipur University.
Thingyan, commonly referred to as the water festival, is a festival celebrated across Myanmar as a New Year’s Day celebration. During the festival, multiple events including ngamu thaba, tree plantation, Burmese cuisines, painting competition and cultural dance of Myanmar performed by the students of Manipur University were exhibited. Students, teachers of the university and invitees from different walks of life took part in the festival.
The programme commenced at the Manipur University with the sprinkling of water with Thabyay by releasing fishes (ngamu) and tree plantation at the Canchi Park inside the University campus. After sprinkling water on the inaugural tree which is a symbol of ‘Thingyan Lamp’ at the centenary hall of the University, the chief guest marked the inaugural function of the festival.
Vice chancellor prof Naorem Lokendra Singh of Manipur University was the chief guest of the inaugural function of the festival.
Speaking on the occasion, the VC stressed the need for comparative research work on the cultural similarities between Myanmar/Burma and northeast India in general and Manipur in particular through folklore and ancient texts and materials. “It will help understand the land and the people of the region,” he said.
Knowing the importance and significance of the neighbouring country, Myanmar, the Manipur University has sent an appraisal to the Union ministry of External Affairs for adoption of the Centre for Myanmar Studies of the university, he said.
The chief guest further stressed the need for organizing the festival in a grand manner in the coming years.
Dean of Students’ Welfare of the university, Dr L Bishwanath Sharma also stressed the need for strengthening the Centre for Myanmar Studies of the university.
Prof MC Arun, the director of the Centre for Myanmar Studies said that the Thingyan festival was being hosted as a part of academic engagement of the students of the Centre in order to inculcate the culture life world of the Myanmar people.
He also expressed the value of knowing the festival by scholars and students to understand Myanmar.
