Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is organising ‘Lai Haroba festival’ at its premises. The third day ritual theatre of Lai Haraoba was attended by the Manipuri community especially by the student groups who are presently staying in the Bhopal.
On this occasion, N Sakamacha Singh (Museum Associate, IGRMS) told that The Haraoba of Manipur which is also perceived as the ritual theatre, encompasses manifold plays of the ancient religious preaching’s. It elaborates the community belief on how the ancestral souls meet their descendents and guide them to live in prosperity.
The rituals involve in this religious practices of the indigenous people embodies a high philosophy of human and nature relationship. This festival is scientifically viewed by the scholars as important medium of strengthening the bonds of kinship relations, clan groups and community relationships. Besides, the role of institutionalised religious functionaries like the Amaiba (Priest) and Amaibis (priestess), Pena Khongba (Minstrel player) in this festival is immensely important.
The ritual service rendered in the Lai Haraoba is followed under the strict principle of a disciplined practice. Although the genesis of Lai Haraoba is heard to in obsecure; this gloriots tradtition was handed down to the generations through practices and oral transmission and later became institutionalised and patronised. However, the ethos and spirit of this age old cultural practices continue to thrive and now moves beyond the political boundaries. On the fourth day of La Haroba festival Laibou Chongba Ritual will be organized from 4 pm. Visitor’s entry will be free in this programme.