NAMA Convention 2008 at Chicago, IL

The 17th North American Manipur Association (NAMA) Convention was held from July 4-6, 2008, at Lake in the Hills, IL, a suburb of Chicago. The residents of Chicago area hosted the meeting very successfully. In fact, the NAMA gathering in this year had the largest number of attendees thus far. More than 50 percent of the attendees were first time attendees, and they brought a fresh enthusiasm and rejuvenation for the organizers and the NAMA team. We can't thank enough the host families – Raj and Priya Chingakham and Irombam Hori and Indu – for their hard work and planning to organize the function and for providing accommodation to most participants coming from other states.We had members attending from Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mid-West families from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. We thank all attendees and also members who could not attend the meeting but contributed generously to NAMA.

The evening of July 4 had a reception at Chingakham family's resident, which was a memorable night for everyone getting to know each other and exchanging pleasant conversations. As people continue to come and the momentum keeps accelerating, the night seems to pass by so quickly. The agenda for the night got sideway and the President personally apologizes to NAMA members attended the meeting or to those who were not able to come this year. We will try to correct the mistakes next year. We learn and become wiser as we move forward. We decided to conduct the 18th NAMA Convention, 2009, at Washington DC during the 4th of July weekend. A Board of Advisors will be selected from the senior members, and also include junior members. The current NAMA office bearers will continue their official duties until next year.



The next day, July 5 was the main meeting day. The venue was a Township Community Hall that can occupy up to 140 people and the attendees almost filled up the entire place. In the morning session, the president welcomes the attendees and thanked for coming to the 17th NAMA convention. Chief Guest, Heisnam Manihar Singh, Senior Advocate from Imphal, Manipur, took the Chair. Dr. Jila Waikhom, Ohio, presided the meeting while Bish Moirangthem convened the morning session. This year, we had Shyam and Suja from Kansas to arrange the sets for the convention and displays. Amom Ruhikanta and Kebola (Assistant Secretary) presented the pictures of Manipur for the convention and Ruhikanta was the official camera person. The secretary, Lakshmikanta Laikangbam, thanked the members and expressed his gratitude for the support rendered by NAMA members in running this important organization for the residents of North America. The Treasurer, Sarita Moirangthem, read out a brief report of the budget and expenses of the Association.

Next, a seminar series was presented by members of NAMA. Irombam Hori made a presentation titled - a potential venue for career development in prosthetic medicine. He presented how the modern technology and innovation can transform a handicapped person to an able and normally functioning person. Raj Chingakham discussed why each family requires a living will. No one can predict what will happen tomorrow to any person. Dr. Sana Waikhom described how trauma patients struggle to regain function and normalcy and why everyone should take care while driving and playing. In addition, other communicable diseases were also described and how one can take preventive measures. Ruhikanta Amom presented an amazing pictorial adventure of local birds and wild life inhabitants of Manipur. Lalit Pukhrambam provided a brief history of Manipur and its culture based on Kangla, the ancient capital of Manipur.

The first NAMA Scholarship Award for 2008 was presented to Noopur Singha who has been attending the NAMA convention since her childhood and performed regularly dance numbers for the NAMA cultural program – please see her current and future activities at http://www.movementresearch.org/festival/08/index.php?/artists/noopur-singha/

At closing the morning session, the Chief Guest in his remark expressed happiness and surprise to see so many people from Manipur and other places in the NAMA Convention. He further expressed that the program was beyond his imagination and thanked NAMA members for inviting him and wished a great success in the future also.

In the afternoon session, there was a display of Manipur related books, art and cultural items. Among the items, a memorable mention could be made of the hidak-fu (pipe smoke), which was a descendent from a royal family of the 19th century. Of course, how can we forget the food and Manipuri cuisines – specially the fish curry, iromba, singju, etc. There were at least 10 items in all and each one was a specialty. One notable mention is Lafu Iromba (plantain), which is one of the Manipuri specialties. Dolendro and Gina brought the freshly cut Lafu from Orlando, Florida. The Chicago residents contributed most of the expenses for the food items.

After a short break, we had two short documentary movies of Dev Thoudam, Imphal, which was followed by group pictures.

In the evening session, we had a Kid's talent program in which a number of dance presentations were made including Leima Jagoi, ballet, Bollywood dance, piano recital, Karate drill, and others. One of the important parts of NAMA is that kids from different regions get to known each other and enjoy the company of newly found friends. We wish they all will keep in contact and get to know each other more through future NAMA meetings.

The main cultural program of the evening was presented by artistes from NRITYA RANGAM of Washington, DC, under the direction of Guru Nabaghana Shyam Singha. Guru Naba also expressed his happiness to see so many attendees. His only wish, he said, is that we all will come together and make NAMA a great organisation - Eigee di karibu haijani-ngai leiree, mayam pumnamak harao harao na nungshi-nana leiminaba, NAMA si mayam changdu na yokhat-minaba ashini, NAMA na NRITYA RANGAM da program macha amtang utpiyu haibirak-pa asida yamna nungaijei, ashoi angam yaorabasu mayamna ngakpiyu.

Noopur Singha presented Maibi Jagoi (Manipuri ritual dance performed during Lai Haraoba festival), Dasa Avatar (The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), and Pung solo demonstration.

Indrani Sharmi presented Mangalacharan (Invocation of Lord Krishna), and Mandila Pala (Traditional Manipuri dance with small cymbals called Mandila) with her student dancer Priyamvada Mishra.

Guru Nabaghana Shyam Singha and Thoihen Heisnam presented Raaga Mala - a medley of classical raagas and songs (Dhun in Raga Desh, Anandaloki Mangalaloki - a Tagore song, Heirangkhoinida chanaba heinida - Manipuri traditional song in Raga Bhupali, Devotional song - Raghuvati Raghava Raja Ram).

Also Manipuri Pung and Sitar - Taal: Tintaal macha, Raaga: Basant Bahar: By Noopur Singha on Pung and Thoihen Heisnam on the sitar.

Lastly, a grand finale of "Thabal Chongba" was performed with live music provided by members of NAMA. How could one ever imagine that we can enjoy a live drum beat and Thabal in the US? Everyone, young and not so olds, enjoyed the community dance. We stopped only because we could not dance any more. This years NAMA was one of the most exciting gatherings and beats all NAMA events held thus far. The NAMA Team and members want to give a big congratulation to Chicago residents for a job well done – par excellent.

Next day, July 6, several members went to see Chicago down town and cultural centers.

As mentioned above, the 18th NAMA Convention will be held at Washington, DC, during the 4th of July weekend, 2009. We hope to see you all again next year.

From NAMA Executive team