UKHRUL: The 12th Manipur Sangai Festival 2025 drew to a colourful close on Sunday evening at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT), with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla presiding over a grand finale that celebrated Manipur’s cultural depth, artistic talent and enduring spirit of togetherness.
Returning after a two-year lull, this year’s edition ran for 10 days under the theme ‘Festival of Oneness,’ drawing thousands of visitors from across the state, neighbouring regions and beyond. Organised simultaneously across Imphal, Moirang, Mao and other key venues, the festival showcased Manipur’s tourism potential through a mix of culture, adventure, music, crafts and gastronomy.
The closing ceremony opened with a choreographed production by artistes of the Government Dance College, highlighting unity and cultural harmony through classical and contemporary dance forms.
In his address, Governor Bhalla lauded the successful conduct of the festival “despite challenging times,” saying it reflected the resilience of the people and their commitment to preserving Manipur’s identity. He emphasised that the state government is prioritising tourism-driven development through new infrastructure, improved connectivity and the promotion of niche attractions such as eco-tourism, homestays, adventure sports and indigenous crafts.
He noted that the diverse programmes—from the Sangai Film Festival and handloom exhibitions to traditional sports like Thang-Ta and Mukna—demonstrated the vibrancy of Manipuri society.
The Governor thanked all stakeholders, including district administrations, security forces, artistes, volunteers and citizens, for their cooperation. “Collective effort ensured the festival stayed true to its message of unity, inclusiveness and cultural pride,” he said.
The Sangai Festival, named after the endangered brow-antlered deer endemic to Manipur, has grown into one of Northeast India’s most prominent cultural tourism events.