Manipur Hosts First North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026 to Revive Traditional Storytelling

On 3 November 2026, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla opened the first North East Waree Leeba Festival at the Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall in Imphal West. The five-day event is organised by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, along with the Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre. At the opening, the Governor paid floral tributes to three late Waree Leeba gurus and honoured gurus from Assam and Tripura. Art and Culture Minister Kh Loken Singh also attended.

Important Facts About North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026

1. Festival - First North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026
2. Opened on - 3 November 2026
3. Duration - Five days
4. Venue - Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall, Imphal West
5. Inaugurated by - Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla
6. Organisers - Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, with Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre

Why Is the Waree Leeba Festival 2026 Being Held to Preserve Traditional Storytelling?

Waree Leeba was once common. Until the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was performed in almost every locality, at temple mandaps and verandahs. Its audience has since shrunk for these reasons:

• Modern, busy lifestyles and fast urbanisation
• The rise of digital entertainment
• The death of many veteran masters without trained successors
• Weaker teaching of traditional Meiteilon diction and oral memory, especially among communities in places like Tripura, which has led to simplified or distorted performances

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla Inaugurates the First Northeast Waree Leeba Festival

The Governor said Waree Leeba is more than entertainment. It carries the knowledge, beliefs, myths and legends of ancestors from one generation to the next, and protecting it protects Manipur’s cultural identity and memory. He hoped the festival would begin lasting efforts to promote the art and build cultural ties across the North East. The Repertory of Waree Leeba, Manipur (ROWLM) is already working to sustain and document the craft.

Key Activities in the Waree Leeba Festival 2026

• Floral tributes were paid to three departed gurus.
• Gurus from Assam and Tripura were felicitated.
• Renowned artist Shyamkanhai Singh narrated an episode from the Mahabharata. The Governor praised his expressive storytelling and thanked him for bringing the epic to life.

What is Waree Leeba?

Waree Leeba is a solo storytelling art of the Meitei community of Manipur. It began during the reign of King Khagemba (1597-1652 AD). One male artist narrates the whole story and plays every character himself. Unlike other Manipuri performing arts, it uses no musical instruments.

How is it performed?

The performer sits on a seat called Vyasa Asana, with a sacred text kept on a wooden stool called Lairik-phan. He uses a white pillow, which he sometimes strikes for effect. He also uses facial expressions, hand gestures, mimicry, humour and sounds such as thunder, wind and animal calls.

Which stories does it tell?

The tales come from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, along with Meitei folklore, history and spiritual teachings.