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A Multicultural Event

Contributed by : Manipur Students' Association, Delhi

A cool spring’s day. Clouds overhead. Soft breezes. Nature rhymed itself perfectly in tune on the 17th of February, 2002, as if to welcome the celebration of ‘ Wakching-gee-Nong’- a multicultural event by the ‘Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi’ ( MSAD ).

The venue was ‘Tagore Hall’ inside Arts Faculty, Delhi University. There was excitement all around. Anticipations and expectations abound. For weeks, the Executive members and the rest of the Organizing Committee had been sweating it out night and day to bring out the best. The reckoning time had finally arrived. The hard work paid off. More people turned up than expected. Just half an hour after the show started, more then 500 students and other invitees had turned up- giving the organizers a bit hard time since the hall had a seating capacity of only 250.But soon everything settled down as those who arrived late for the show gladly agreed to stand at the back. Some chose to hang out and have tea or gossip under the porch outside.

There was much energy everywhere. The Chief Guest arrived just in time at 1 pm when the programme was scheduled to begin. Mr.Kh.Raghumani Singh, also President of ‘Delhi Manipur Society’ (DMS). He inaugurated the function in traditional Manipuri style by offering a prayer to God. It was followed by a Welcome Speech by the MSAD Secretary-Sports & Cultural, Dina Oinam.

Poetry recitations and short story-telling also followed giving the function a calm and serene beginning.

The main programme started with a Maibi dance by Sailabati , a student of Media Studies, who got her training from ' Nambol Artist Repertory Theatre, Manipur - a form of ritual dance in the Lai Haraoba festival of Manipur. Next was Thougal Jagoi, also a part of Lai Haraoba festival, performed by Priya RK, Radha Aribam, Bala Ningthoujam and Binota Loitomgbam - all students of Delhi School of Social Works, who got their training from Bung Bung Meetei,a diploma holder of JN Dance Academy,Manipur.

Gurumayum Dharmadas Sharma, a student of MA Philosophy,DU,who had also earlier participated in SAARC and other festivals abroad - followed up with his majestic ‘Pung Cholom’ which left the crowd wide-eyed with his movements.

A folkdance by Sanjeev Sagar followed. A talented and aspiring artist, Sagar had also performed in various festivals before.

Next on wonder list was Mr.Bhaktakumar, Mr. Asia. He enthralled the crowd for a full 5 minute, flexing his muscles. The audience loved it. Whistles and applause filled the hall and wouldn’t just stop.

After the body show, the atmosphere sobered up again as the MSAD President, N Ratankumar, gave his speech emphasizing the need for every Manipuri students in Delhi to cooperate with the Executive Body of the association for a progressive growth. Then Guest of Honour and United Committee Manipur president, Mr.Jadumani, gave a speech on the importance of students as future pillars of the nation.

The Chief Guest followed with his speech about ‘nong’(rain) of ‘Wakching’ (of the month of January and February) and how much importance it plays in our lives, our culture and society. To everyone’s surprise and delight, he also promised that DMS will sponsor this year’s Thabal Chongba of MSAD which is going to be held in March, 2002.

Next was the Prize Distribution Ceremony of the Annual MSAD Sports Meet, 2002 which was held from the 11th to the 13th of February, 2002 on DU Ground at Police Lines. The Sports Meet had included football and cricket tournament. Three teams had participated in the football tournament out of which ‘United Brothers’ was the winning team. The runners up team was ‘Sikkim’. The Best Player award went to Robert Leivon of United Brothers. In the cricket category, out of eight teams, ‘Assamese Students Association, Delhi’ was the the winning team and ‘Yaujaning’ was the runners up. Pullock Das of the winning team was the Man of the Match.

The prizes were handed over by Mr.Biswajit, Gen.Secretary, DMS; Mr.Bobby, Advocate, Supreme Court; Ms. Roma Sija, Social Worker; Mr.Bhakta kumar, The Guest of Honour and the Chief Guest. In addition to the prestigious MSAD shields and trophies, the winners and runners up teams were awarded cash prizes of Rs.1000/- and Rs.700/- respectively.

After the Prize Distribution Ceremony came what everybody had been anxiously waiting for Musical Performances. Dina Oinam, also a young talented artist, performed numbers from Hindi film and pop albums. His tabla and flute perfomance in ‘Sayonee’ (Junoon) and ‘Tu Hi Re’ (Bombay) were equally impressive.

Finally ‘Kangla Sha’-the very loud and rocking band- took the stage. They stunned the crowd for more than an hour playing numbers from Black Crows, Deep Purple, Bad Company, Led Zepellin, Eric Clapton and Van Halen.

‘Wakching-gee- Nong’ ended with a brief Vote of Thanks from the MSAD Secretary-General, Palin Ningthoujam.

The show was a grand success of a sincere effort from MSAD, who believes it as a platform to remind all Manipuris in the Capital about the glory of their rich culture and to showcase it to the people of other communities. It was also a celebration of triumph and joy, beautifully showcased .

(C) 2002 MSAD ( Manipur Students' Association Delhi ) . All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MSAD content, including by framing or similiar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MSAD.