TAMENGLONG: Songs of The Ahu (Barak) River, an intergenerational musical exchange, was held at Tamenglong, Manipur, on Friday in an effort to preserve the age-old traditional musical practices of the communities belonging to the region and create environmental awareness through music.
The intergenerational musical exchange, organised by the Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT) at ZEF Hall, Tamenglong HQ, featured several cultural performances, storytelling, dialogue and discussion between elders of the community and young participants.
RCT conducted the programme along with Kadiguang Panmei, under the Barak–Meghna River Basin Storytellers Fellowship as a part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) BRIDGE (Building River Dialogue and Governance).
Also Read | Wildlife Crime: Stop the Invasion
During the session, several elders in the region shared their traditional musical knowledge and engaged in dialogue with the youth, fostering the preservation of traditional musical practices.
Songs of The Ahu (Barak) River – Nadi Sangeet Baithak, served as an enriching platform for cultural exchange, promoting intergenerational learning, cultural continuity, and environmental awareness through music.
RCT opines that “Barak River region has a rich tradition of storytelling that reflects the strong ties between the people, land, and water. However, these traditions are gradually fading as younger generations have fewer opportunities to engage with old folks and community knowledge holders. Hence, the Nadi Sangeet Baithak is designed as an intergenerational learning space to revive interest in folk songs and oral traditions.
Also Read | Water Stress in Manipur
“Through interactive sessions, performances, and storytelling circles with elders, participants will not only learn the artistic forms but also understand the ecological wisdom embedded within them. Reviving these expressions can foster a sense of environmental awareness, stewardship, and community-led development rooted in the rich cultural heritage.”
The intergenerational musical exchange session was attended by members from academia, media, civil society, EU (Evangelical Union), and government representatives.