Thang -Ta is a popular term for the ancient Manipuri
Martial Art known as T‘Huyen- Lallong’. The art is believed to have developed due to the war environment of the tiny state of Manipur in north east India, which was an independent kingdom since the early Christian era. It played an important role in the geopolitical environment of medieval times in between India and China with many independent states at war with each other. Constant life and death struggles between clans, tribes and states resulted in the devising of way and means of safeguarding the lives of the citizen soldiery and at the same times, developing and inward attitude to problems of life, death and aftertime.

Thang-Ta literally means sword and spear; the name, such because these are the main weapons used. However, other weapons such as shields, daggers, sticks & axes bow and arrow, are used as well. Huyen Lallong, one the other hand, means method of safeguarding! As the name implies, Huyen Lallong is more than just the training of fighting skills. It is an elaborate system of physical culture that involves breathing methods, mediations and rituals. Some of the sword and spear forms are entirely ritualistic, although they are composed of martial techniques. They are to be perfumed only at special occasions or under special circumstances. Thus, the passage of time, Thang-Ta came to be practiced in three – different ways. The first way is absolutely ritual in nature, related to tantric practices. The
second way is the actual fighting technique. The third way consists of a spectacular performance involving sword and spear dances.

The art of the battle and the use of the weaponry, when it is war like engagements were over, developed into a system of wielding objective elements in organic relationship with the cosmos. Thang –Ta thus become an expressive art form which however retained its fighting character at the secret home school of individual teachers the period of the colonial Raj.

The movement behavior of the different parts of the Manipuri martial body are derived from the cultural and habitual uses of daily life, certain extra-daily postures, positions and movements are compiled into codes adding to the natural repertoire.

The martial system is a much more vigorous use of the body in order to reach out to the space of the opponent and the art is derived from the physiography and cultural environment of the Manipur plains 7th hell. It involves more movement than stillness while preparing to
fight the opponent and the self, as a target is dynamic, moving and shifting positions after.

The martial / actual fighting technique today is almost on the verge of extinction today while the expressive art form is seen through demonstrations in cultural programs. It still, however is almost completely unknown today outside Manipur.

Ibomacha Oinam
M.Sc. Electronic Media