Thang-Ta

Member Organization(s)

Introduction

Thang-Ta is a unique traditional martial art and a martial education of India which is originated from Manipur, a tiny state in northeast India.

Thang-Ta integrates the arts of Thang(sword), Ta(spear), Sharit-Sharak(unarmed combat), Sajen Kanglon(physical exercise), Thengouron(spiritual arts), Ningsha Kanglon(breathing exercise), Layeng Kanglon(natural medicinal education), Hirikonba(medication), and other vital arts of warfare.

History

The actual system Lallup(a group of military forces) was introduced during the reign of King Loyumba(1074-1122 AD). King Punshiba(1404-1432 AD) introduced the permanent and professional military department called Shingchep Meira Haijouroi. King Pamheiba(1709-1748 AD) strengthens and upgraded the Lallup system. Under this system every male above 16 years served the state voluntarily as duty ten days in forty days, therefore each individual person served the state some 90 days in a year. They performed their duties for the state and trained Thang-Ta martial arts as an important subject of physical exercise. Hence every person was compelled by himself to have Thang-Ta martial art training.

Today Thang-Ta has emerged as a very popular martial art game in India and attained recognition in the realm of national and international. The Manipuri Thang-Ta, replete with unique forms of fights, naturally evolved against the warlike background of the ancient kingdom. Many thrilling combat demonstrations and performing arts of Thang-Ta which are exotic and display-oriented had been displayed at various cultural centers and functions in different countries of the world.

References

Thang-Ta Federation of India (2013). WoMAU application form.