Sangai Festival 2018

The Manipur Sangai Festival 2018 (ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔ ꯁꯥꯉꯥꯏ ꯐꯦꯁ꯭ꯇꯤꯚꯦꯜ ꯲꯰꯱꯸) was inaugurated by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 21 November 2018 in Imphal, Manipur. It is the biggest tourism festival of the state, showcasing Manipur's art, culture, food, and traditions.^[1] The ten-day event was attended by several national and international dignitaries and featured cultural programs, exhibitions, and competitions.^[2]

The festival was held from 21 November to 30 November 2018. This edition of the festival was organized across three venues — Imphal, Mao (in Senapati district), and Keibul Lamjao (in Bishnupur district),^[3] covering both hill and valley districts. It was the first time in the history of the festival that events were held at multiple venues.^[4]

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inspected the festival sites before the opening and announced that the festival would make history for its scale and diversity. A total of 99 stalls from 10 foreign countries and 112 stalls from India were opened during the event.^[1]

The festival was attended by several international guests, including

• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand,^[5][6][3] and
• Myint Naing, Chief Minister of the Sagaing Region and Mandalay Region of Myanmar.^[5][3]
• For the first time, the U.S. Ambassador to India also attended the Manipur Sangai Festival.^[6]

The Manipur State Cooperative Bank Limited (MSCB) sponsored Rs. 5 lakhs for the event, becoming the second Diamond Sponsor after Panthoibi Housing Finance Company Limited, which also contributed Rs. 5 lakhs.^[6]

To ensure participation from government bodies, the Directorate of Trade, Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur allotted 30 stalls at Hapta Kangjeibung and 35 stalls at Lamboi Khongnangkhong for various government and semi-government departments, public sector undertakings, and paramilitary forces.^[7]

The number of domestic tourists visiting Manipur increased from 116,652 in 2010–11 to 164,483 in 2017–18. Foreign tourist arrivals also grew significantly from 431 in 2010–11 to 3,787 in 2017–18.^[8][9][4]

On the closing day, artistes of the Progressive Artists’ Laboratory, Manipur performed the play Laigi Machasing (“Children of God”) at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT). The play, choreographed by Sinam Basu, a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, portrayed the myth of Ibudhou Pakhangba, the origin of man, and the tradition of the seven Yek Salais.^[10]

About 160 artistes participated in the production, with 20 performers forming a living image of the mythical snake god Pakhangba. The 45-minute performance impressed audiences and concluded with other cultural programs and musical performances by well-known artists like Rewben Mashangva.^[10]

The Japanese national sport Sumo wrestling was introduced for the first time in the Manipur Sangai Festival 2018. It became one of the most popular attractions, with large audiences at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium in Imphal.^[11]

The event was organized by Salai Holdings Pvt. Ltd. in association with the Manipur Tourism Department. Around Rs. 2 crore was spent to bring professional Sumo wrestlers to Manipur, including one featured in a Dixcy Scott advertisement. The four-day event ran until 25 November.^[11]

The Sangai Chef: Season 1 competition, organized by the Exotic School of Cooking, began on the opening day at Hapta Kangjeibung. The event aimed to promote Manipuri cuisine and highlight local ingredients. Ten contestants competed over several rounds, with one participant eliminated daily.^[12][13]

Each day included a master class by a professional chef and a competition round focused on local dishes such as Chagempombi, Ooti Ashangba, Nganum, Oksha Thoiding Thongba, and Hawaijar Oksha Thongba.^[12][13]

The final round took place on 29 November 2018. Rock Awung Chihui from Ukhrul won the first prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a certificate, and a copy of the first ShiChef cookbook. The Chief Minister N. Biren Singh presented the awards during the closing ceremony.^[12][13]

The competition was judged by chefs and culinary experts including Chef Trimran Saka, Chef Surchandra Ningthoujam, and guest panelists such as Chef Tony Karam, Chef Priyojit Routh, Mrs. Sanyaola Kengoo Raman, and others. The event encouraged the use of locally sourced food and aimed to support local farmers by increasing demand for regional produce.^[12][13]

The Sangai Photo Festival took place from 22 to 26 November 2018 at multiple venues across Manipur. It featured exhibitions, workshops, talks, master classes, and competitions. The event was organized by Tayal Filmers in association with the Tourism Department.^[14]

Renowned photographers such as Sanjeev Saith and Prashant Panjiar conducted workshops and sessions. Participants could register through the official website sangaiphotofest.com.^[14]

• Meitei festivals