IMPHAL, AUG 16: Rare glimpses of Manipur’s past have gone on public display at the Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archive (ARCLA) in Harinath Road, Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai, as the exhibition “Journey into Manipur’s Past” opened on Sunday.
The exhibition brings together historical photographs preserved in the British Library, allowing visitors to look back at the people, traditions and way of life of an earlier Manipur.
Retired IAS officer RK Nimai, who inaugurated the exhibition, said the photographs were made available for public viewing after the required copyright permissions were obtained from the British Library.
Also read JFD escalates anti-census stir, announces daily torch rallies and warns of DC office protests
He said the collection could become an important source of information for researchers and students studying Manipur’s history. Beyond their visual appeal, the photographs offer valuable clues about the customs, traditional clothing, food habits and everyday life of people in the past.
Nimai said such historical records can help present generations develop a better understanding of how people lived and how society evolved over different periods.
ARCLA member Ratika Yumnam said the library has been making efforts to provide young learners and researchers with resources that can expand their understanding of Manipur.
She said the exhibition is part of ARCLA’s effort to make historical knowledge more accessible and that similar exhibitions and programmes would continue in the future.
The exhibition which will remain open till September 19 offers more than a collection of old photographs, it provides visitors an opportunity to visually reconnect with chapters of Manipur’s history that are otherwise preserved mainly in archival records.
