K Shanathoiba Sharma

Kakchingtabam Shanathoiba Sharma is a guru of thang-ta, the traditional martial art of Manipur. The art of sword (thang) and spear (ta) was once learned across Manipuri society to defend the homeland, and it joins physical training with tradition and spiritual practice ^[2]. He was named for the Padma Shri in 2023 in the field of sports, from Manipur ^[1].

Learning from the masters

Shanathoiba was born on 1 April 1955 into a family known for mukna kangjei, a traditional game that mixes hockey and wrestling, and for thang-ta ^[2]. He learned the techniques and philosophy of the art from several masters, among them the Padma Shri awardee Gurumayum Gourakishor Sharma ^[2].

Spreading the art

For more than forty years he has worked to make thang-ta better known ^[2]. In 1981 he founded the Association for Paona Memorial Arts and Rural Development Services at Thoubal Wangkhem, a leading centre for Manipuri arts ^[2]. He has travelled across India and abroad to demonstrate the art, run workshops and festivals with government departments, and written many articles ^[2]. He is principal and director of the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association at Irilbung ^[2].

He has served on expert committees of the Union culture ministry, the academic council of the Manipur University of Culture and the general council of the Manipur State Kala Akademi ^[2]. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2014 ^[2].