Manipur Governor Bhalla calls for preserving state's cultural identity at Waree Leeba Festival
Synopsis
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the first-ever North East Waree Leeba Festival in Imphal on 2 November 2026, calling Waree Leeba a 'living tradition' that transmits ancestral knowledge across generations. The five-day festival, drawing artists from Assam and Tripura, marks a formal regional push to preserve one of Manipur's most distinctive — and at-risk — storytelling art forms.
Key Takeaways
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the first North East Waree Leeba Festival, 2026 on 2 November 2026 in Imphal West .
The five-day festival is organised by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai , in association with Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre .
The Governor paid floral tribute to three departed Waree Leeba gurus and felicitated gurus from Assam and Tripura .
Renowned artist Shyamkanhai Singh delivered a Waree Leeba narration of an episode from the Mahabharata at the event.
Art and Culture Minister Kh.
Loken Singh and artists from across the Northeast attended the inaugural function.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday, 2 November 2026, called for the preservation and safeguarding of the state's rich cultural identity, heritage, and collective memory, underscoring their vital role in protecting Manipur's distinct historical legacy. His remarks came at the inaugural ceremony of the first North East Waree Leeba Festival, 2026, held at Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall in Imphal West district.
Governor's Address at the Inaugural Ceremony
Addressing the opening session of the five-day festival, Bhalla emphasised the enduring relevance of traditional storytelling, stating that Waree Leeba 'entertains, educates and conveys values that remain relevant to society.' He stressed that preserving this tradition is essential for safeguarding an important part of Manipur's cultural identity and collective memory.
The Governor also paid floral tribute to the portraits of three departed Waree Leeba gurus and felicitated gurus from Assam and Tripura at the function, underscoring the pan-Northeastern significance of the art form.
What Is Waree Leeba
Waree Leeba is a traditional storytelling form from Manipur, regarded not merely as entertainment but as a living tradition through which the knowledge, beliefs, myths, and legends of ancestors are transmitted across generations. The Governor described it as a cultural vessel carrying the accumulated wisdom of Manipur's past, one that risks fading without institutional support and sustained promotion.
During the programme, Bhalla listened to a Waree Leeba rendition of an episode from the Mahabharata, narrated by renowned artist Shyamkanhai Singh. Appreciating the artist's expressive narration and traditional presentation, the Governor thanked Singh for bringing the epic to life through the art form.
Festival Organisation and Regional Scope
The festival is being organised by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, in association with Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre. Artists from across the Northeastern region have been brought together to celebrate and sustain the tradition. The Governor congratulated the Repertory for spearheading this initiative and expressed confidence that the festival would mark the beginning of sustained efforts to promote Waree Leeba and strengthen cultural cooperation across the Northeast.
Who Attended
Art and Culture Minister Kh. Loken Singh, along with gurus and artists from the region, attended the programme. This is the first edition of the festival, signalling a formal institutional effort to document and promote the art form at a regional level.
As Manipur navigates complex social and political challenges, cultural initiatives such as this festival are increasingly seen as instruments of community cohesion and shared identity — a dimension that gives the Governor's participation added significance.
Point of View
School-level integration, and state funding for practitioners. The presence of gurus from Assam and Tripura is a promising signal that this initiative aims for regional scale rather than symbolic tokenism — but one inaugural edition does not make a movement.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026?
The North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026 is the first regional festival dedicated to Waree Leeba, a traditional storytelling art form from Manipur. The five-day event, inaugurated on 2 November 2026 at Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall in Imphal West, brings together artists from across the Northeastern states to celebrate and preserve the tradition.
What is Waree Leeba?
Waree Leeba is a traditional Manipuri storytelling form through which the knowledge, beliefs, myths, and legends of ancestors are passed down across generations. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla described it as a living tradition that entertains, educates, and conveys values relevant to contemporary society.
Who organised the Waree Leeba Festival?
The festival is being organised by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, in association with Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre. Artists from Assam and Tripura were also felicitated at the inaugural ceremony.
What did Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla say at the event?
Governor Bhalla called for sustained efforts to preserve Manipur's cultural identity and heritage, describing Waree Leeba as essential to safeguarding the state's collective memory. He also thanked artist Shyamkanhai Singh for narrating an episode from the Mahabharata through the Waree Leeba tradition.
Who else attended the inaugural function?
Art and Culture Minister Kh. Loken Singh, along with gurus and artists from across the Northeastern region, attended the inaugural ceremony. The Governor felicitated Waree Leeba gurus from Assam and Tripura at the event.
