UKHRUL: A rare photographic archive documenting Manipur’s cultural, social and ritual life from the 1950s to the 1970s has drawn significant national scholarly attention, as a three-day exhibition featuring the works of noted historian Prof. John Parratt concludes in Imphal on Tuesday.
Organised by the Advanced Research Consortium Library and Archives (ARCLA), the exhibition titled “Temporalities and Notes from an Immersive Fieldwork: Photographic Archives of John Parratt” is being held at Singjamei Beigyabati Leikai in Imphal West. The exhibition has attracted researchers, academicians, students and cultural historians from across the region.
The exhibition presents a visually rich archive compiled through decades of ethnographic fieldwork in Manipur by Prof Parratt and his wife, eminent scholar Dr Saroj Nalini Arambam. Together, the collection offers a rare and intimate visual narrative of Manipur’s evolving cultural landscape during the mid-20th century.
ARCLA Director Wangam Somorjit described the exhibition as both an academic landmark and an emotional tribute. “These photographs are not merely records; they are lived memories. They reflect a lifelong scholarly commitment to documenting Manipur’s culture with respect and depth,” he said.
The photographic collection was formally donated to ARCLA in June 2025, a few months before Prof Parratt’s passing on January 1, 2026. A former professor at the University of Birmingham, Parratt was internationally renowned for his pioneering research on Manipuri religion, history and indigenous belief systems.
On display are 99 photographs capturing various ethnic communities, 152 images of Pakhangba symbols from the manuscript Paphal Lambuba, and a historical map, many of which date back over six decades. Several photographs focus on Lai Haraoba, one of Manipur’s most significant ritual traditions, offering rare ethnographic insights into its performance and symbolism.
A photograph documenting a Tangkhul Saba Lai Haraoba ritual has drawn particular attention, underscoring long-standing cultural exchanges between hill and valley communities—an aspect often overlooked in dominant historical narratives.
Speaking on the concluding day of the exhibition, ARCLA member Ratika Yumnam said the collection has resonated strongly with younger visitors. “For many, these photographs offer a first visual connection to Manipur’s past. They help bridge the gap between oral history, memory and academic research,” she said.
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In a personal note accompanying the donation, Prof Parratt wrote that while most of his and his late wife’s academic papers were donated to institutions in the United Kingdom, the photographs—particularly those depicting old Imphal and Lai Haraoba—were closest to his heart. He expressed relief at finding a permanent home for them in Manipur.
According to ARCLA officials, the exhibition has witnessed an overwhelming public response, reflecting growing interest in archival heritage and visual history. The institution reiterated its commitment to preserving the collection and making it accessible, encouraging renewed research into Manipur’s indigenous knowledge systems, religious traditions and lived cultural practices.
As the exhibition draws to a close today, visitors describe the experience as a journey through time—where fading photographs continue to speak powerfully of memory, identity and a Manipur preserved through its archives.