Imphal (SPN) | The ‘Thingyan 2023’ festival organized by Manipur University’s Centre for Myanmar Studies concluded on Friday with a performance of Myanmarese songs by Arbin Soibam.
‘Thingyan’, commonly referred to as the ‘Water Festival’, is celebrated across Myanmar as New Year’s Day, according to Thingyan 2023 Organising Committee chairperson Dr. Thongam Somola Devi.
The program was attended by MU vice chancellor Prof Naorem Lokendra Singh as the chief guest and Centre for Myanmar Studies director Prof MC Arunkumar as the president, while MU registrar Prof W Chandbabu Singh and Manipur University Students’ Union president Thokchom Sonamani were present as guests of honor.
The water festival began with the sprinkling of water with ‘Thabyay’, releasing fishes (Ngamu) and tree plantation at Manung Pukhri, MU.
The chief guest showered the inaugural tree, which is a symbol of ‘Thingyan Lamp’, and released the ‘Thingyan shirt’ at the center’s premises.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof N Lokendro expressed the need for comparative research work on the cultural similarities between Myanmar and North East India in general and Manipur in particular, through folklore, ancient texts, and materials to understand the land and people of this region.
The Thingyan 2023 festival was marked by Ngamu Thaba, tree plantation, painting competition, karaoke contest (English & Manipuri), and cultural dance of Myanmar performed by MU students. Students, teachers of the varsity, and invitees took part in the festival.