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Gaikhangam and Dr. Kh Ratankumar Singh releasing the 2nd edition of ‘Lai Haraoba of Manipur’ in Imphal on May 29.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 30 (EMN): The second edition of a book titled “Lai Haraoba of Manipur” authored by former Manipur minister Dr. Kh Ratankumar Singh was released on May 29 in Imphal.
The book was released by the sitting Congress MLA Gaikhangam.
‘Lai Haraoba’ is an indigenous festival of Meitei community of Manipur, where traditional deities and ancestors were worshiped during the festival.
The first edition of the book which was published in 2001, was extensively based on his doctoral thesis except some minor changes in some areas, according to the author.
The contents of the book included the ecological and ethnic setting, historical development of religion in Manipur, evolution of Lai Haraoba, typology of Lai Haraoba, myths and rituals, contemporary trends in Lai Haraoba and others.
“Today it is generally agreed that economy and technology alone cannot be the sole criteria for determining the definition of being modern. Tradition and culture have come to play a significant role in today’s postmodern world,” said the author in the preface of the book.
Dr. N Birchandra Singh of Manipur Historical Society presided over the function.
Noted film maker Aribam Syam Sharma, Prof. W Nabakumar (Retd) of anthropology department of Manipur University and Prof. MC Arunkumar of Anthropology, Manipur University were also present as the guest.
Two films - Yelhou Jagoi, Lai Haraoba directed by Aribam Syam Sharma were screened after releasing the book at Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy auditorium.