Huyen Langlon Manipur Martial Arts History, Meaning, Format, Rules, Points Scoring, Khelo India Youth Games 2022

Huyen Langlon Manipur Martial Arts History, Meaning, Format, Rules, Points Scoring, Khelo India Youth Games 2022

Huyen langlon is a Manipur-based Indian martial arts game, know more about it

Huyen signifies battle in Meitei, whereas langlon or langlong might indicate net, wisdom, or art. Huyen langlon is made up of two primary parts: thang-ta (armed combat) and Sarit sarak (unarmed fighting).

Huyen Langlon Manipur Martial Arts History, Meaning, Format, Rules, Points Scoring, Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Inclusion

The thang (sword) and ta are the principal weapons of Huyen Langlon (spear). The spear may be used close up or hurled from a distance in its non-missile form. The shield and axe are two more weapons.

Hand strikes, kicks, and grappling are all part of unarmed fighting (mukna). Huyen langlon is closely connected to Burmese bando and banshay due to Manipur’s cultural similarities and geographical closeness to Myanmar.

Huyen langlon’s thang-ta component may be performed in three ways: ceremony, demonstration, and battle. The first approach is tantric and is purely ceremonial.

The second method is a magnificent performance that includes sword and spear dances. These exercises may be transformed into genuine fighting drills. The final method is the actual battle application.

Thang-ta is related to various war dances, which frequently blur the border between dance and fighting forms, such as thangkairol (sword dance) and khosarol (spear dance).

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Many ritualistic dances in Manipur, such as the spear dance for funerals or the holy thengou dance, were formerly performed by martial artists. In dance, sword motions are used to either signify protection or to fend off evil spirits. As a result, it has become a component of Manipuri classical dance.

General History

All we know about Huyen Langlon’s ancient past comes from hymns and stories. Folklore connects the development of Huyen langlon and its associated dances to the native animist gods. Manipur was a valley surrounded by hills that shielded it from neighbouring Hindu, Burmese, and Chinese kingdoms.

The valley people were separated into seven clans called yek, salai, or pana. Mangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang, Khaba-Nganba, and Sarang Leishangthem were among them. Before their amalgamation into one unified Meitei community, these clans each governed distinct territories over which they battled.

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The origins of Huyen Langlon may be traced back to many folktales, hymns, and ancient myths.

Huyen Langlon’s earliest written record may be found in the Chainarol-Puya. It was documented by the Meiteis’ progenitors. From 1891 through 1947, British colonists outlawed martial arts and active involvement in them.

However, Huyen Langlon has recently resurfaced and is being marketed throughout India. Gurumayum Gourakishor Sharma, a famous Huyen Langlon guide and teacher, was given the coveted Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009.

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General Rules 

  • The sparring matches can only be conducted in a 30-foot arena that has a circular circumference.
  • Each match consists of various rounds, which last for 2-3 minutes with an interval of 1 minute in between them.
  • For an entire match, there is the central referee, 6 scorers, 1 time-keeper along with one or two chief judges present.

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