Ukhrul, Manipur | EKHON: With an aim to safeguard indigenous cultural heritage, URA Trust organised a two-week intensive workshop focused on the revival of Tangkhul Naga Folk Song and Folk Dance (Hao Laa/Khararlaa and Pheichak), traditional art forms that are now on the brink of extinction. The workshop, in it’s 3rd edition, began on April 20, 2026, bringing together around 25 artists and culture enthusiasts in a collective effort to preserve and sustain these fading traditions.
Guru Rawung, who mentored trainees in both folk dance and folk song, expressed gratitude for their enthusiasm and voiced hope that they would carry the cultural tradition forward.
According to the Trust, the urgency of the initiative stems from the rapidly declining number of knowledge holders. Most custodians of Hao Laa/Khararlaa and Pheichak are over the age of 60, each carrying distinct songs, movements, and interpretations that have been passed down through generations. With such limited and aging sources of knowledge, the risk of permanent cultural loss has become increasingly imminent.
“The diversity within these traditions makes it even more critical to learn from each individual bearer,” the organization stated. “Every voice and movement represents a unique thread in the fabric of our identity.”
While previous preservation efforts have largely focused on documentation, URA Trust emphasizes that true cultural survival depends on active practice. “Culture is not static—it evolves only when it is lived,” the Trust noted in its outreach. “Without learning and practicing these traditions, we risk becoming a community reliant on borrowed cultural expressions, a shift already visible in contemporary lifestyles.”
The workshop provided hands-on participation, particularly from artists who can play a vital role in reinterpreting and revitalizing these traditions for future generations. Through this workshop, participants are expected not only to learn but also to contribute to keeping the practices relevant in a changing cultural landscape.
Vareishang Phungshok, General Secretary of URA Trust, highlighted the deeper significance of the initiative. “This is a call to re-live and sustain our heritage consciously,” he said, urging community members to take ownership of their cultural identity.
Phungshok urged participants to sustain the practice beyond formal training, stating, “Let the seed sown here thrive,” while observing that earlier workshops had not produced significant impact. He expressed confidence that participants of the Hao Laa workshop would carry the tradition forward.
The initiative comes at a time when concerns about cultural erosion are growing, especially among younger generations increasingly influenced by global trends. By promoting collective engagement, URA Trust hopes to bridge generational gaps and renew interest in traditional practices.
