Thang Ta (Huyen Langlon)

Understand

Where Thang Ta (Huyen Langlon) comes from

Thang Ta (literally 'sword and spear') is the classical martial art of Manipur, with the related Huyen Langlon (the 'art of the sword and the spear') being the ritual-martial dance form. The art is the source of the broad Manipuri dance vocabulary, with the male dance vocabulary drawing directly on the martial postures of the Thang Ta. The art has its roots in the ancient Meitei warrior-tradition of Manipur and was preserved as a court-martial art under the kings of Manipur. Today the Thang Ta is performed at the cultural programmes of the state and is taught at the National Sports University of Manipur and at the regional martial-arts schools. The Huyen Langlon is the dance-ritual version of the art, performed at the festivals of the community.

How it's practiced

Thang Ta is performed by the warriors of the Meitei community in a circle (or in two facing rows) at the cultural programmes of the state. The warriors wield the thang (the sword) and the ta (the spear), with the male dance vocabulary drawing on the martial postures — the salutation, the strike, the parry and the footwork. The dance is energetic, with the men's small steps and the lunges and the sword-strikes. Music is the pung and the dhol of the Manipuri tradition. Costume is the warrior-dress of the Meitei — the white dhoti and the small turban and the ceremonial chest-band. Performances are at the cultural programmes and at the regional festivals.