Shawdesh desk:

Manipuri youths participated in Thabal Chongba dance held in Chhoto Dhamai village of Purbo Juri union under Juri upazila in Moulvibazar district on Monday.

The phrase Thabal Chongba means ‘dance in the moonlight’.

The male and female participants all stand together in a circle holding each other’s hands and perform this dance. It is associated with the Yaosang festival in India and organised for five days during the spring.

The organisers said that in this festival, the youths of the Manipuri community stand in a circle and dance to the rhythm of the special religious song.

People of various ages, including Manipuri youths and teenagers rush to the field in the evening. After everyone has gathered, the Thabal Chongba dance begins.

Taking part in the dance of Thabal Chongba dance, Juri Upazila woman vice chairman Ranjita Sharma said, ‘Thabal Chongba dance is organised every year in Chhoto Dhamai area. Hundreds of Manipuri men and women participate in this dance by holding hands and forming a circle. Various traditional folk songs are also performed as part of the event.’