| Manipur is a Southeastern Himalayan state in
northeastern India. The size of New Jersey, it
is one of India's poorest states. It is in the
mountains next to Burma (Myanmar), near the Golden
Triangle. Manipuris are Tibeto-Burman and number
1.5 million. |
| |
 |
| Traditional Manipuri
Polo |
| Historically it was
known as Meckley, Mekhala and Kangleipak. The
2,000-year-old kingdom became a part of India
in 1949. In India, Manipur is renowned for its
performers and athletes. It is the birthplace
of polo and its warrior culture has produced five
forms of martial arts.
Manipuris excel in modern sports and athletics.
A dozen Olympian athletes, the stars of almost
every major soccer team in India, the 2006 Women's
World Boxing Champion, and India's top swimmer
(who trained without a swimming pool) are some
of the outstanding athletes who hail from this
small mountain state. And then, of course, there
is baseball.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
| Manipur
is one of the most remarkable, yet isolated
civilizations in the world today. It is
now officially emerging as India's gateway
to Southeast Asia. |
 |
|
| |
 |
| Our documentation
crew shoots a temple dance. |
| Manipur has a tradition of high cultural achievement.
Its modern theater is presented at venues such
as New York's BAM's NextWave. Its small film industry,
now completely digitized, produces films that
have been featured at Cannes and MoMA. It has
a rich literary tradition and dance forms that
are presented internationally. |
| |
|
