Thang-Ta

Thang-Ta (also called Huyen Langlon) is the indigenous martial art of the Meitei people of Manipur, taught and performed as a stylised sword-and-spear dance.

It encompasses three streams: thang (sword), ta (spear) and the unarmed combat of huyen langlon — together forming a complete warrior tradition.

Thang-Ta is documented from the 17th century in the courts of the Meitei kings of Kangleipak (Manipur), who used it for both military training and royal ceremony.

Suppressed under British rule after 1891, it was revived in the 20th century and is now recognised as a living martial heritage of India.

The Meiteis are the majority community of the Imphal valley, with their own script (Meitei Mayek), language and Sanamahi religion.

Thang-Ta is taught in dedicated akharas (training schools) and performed at temple festivals such as Lai Haraoba.

• Performers wear a white dhoti, a red sash (khwangchet) and a turban (kokyet); the upper body is often bare.
• Weapons are real — a sharpened Meitei thang sword, ta spear and a small shield.

• Lai Haraoba — pre-Hindu Meitei festival, April–June.
• Sangai Festival — Imphal, 21–30 November.
• Kang (rath yatra) and other Meitei temple festivals.

• Imphal — Manipur State Kala Akademi and Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
• Kangla Fort, Imphal — historic seat of the Meitei kings.
• Sangai Festival venues across Imphal.

A curated gallery of Thang-Ta. Images are placeholders until license-cleared photographs are sourced.