Nov 3, 2018, 1:09 PM IST
New Delhi: From fashion and food to dance and music, the 6th edition of the North East festival held in the Capital had all that and much more. But the highlight of the three-day long event was the martial arts performance, Thang-Ta.
Artists from Narayana Nrityalaya performed jaw-dropping sword combat just like it was done many years ago by their Meitei ancestors. The Manipuri warriors used this art form to defend themselves from their neighbourhood enemies and wild animals.
Thang Ta was banned during the British Raj from 1891 to 1947 but thanks to secret teachings by the local gurus, it survived to tell the tale of the glorious days of the past.
We spoke to the performers to help you get to know more about this ancient martial art that is struggling to survive in this day and age.