From Ima Keithel To India's First Lotus Silk Weaver, Manipur's R-Day Tableau Exudes 'Nari Shakti' In Every Sense

Republic Day 2024: Manipur Tableau featured all women-run market 'Ima Keithel' and lotus silk making process that highlighted women's role in socio economic development.

Manipur's tableau for the Republic Day parade, 'Thambalgi Langla,' or Lotus Threads in Meiteilon, showcased the significant role played by women in the state's socio-economic development. 

Manipur, the 'Jewel of India' is home to a one-of-a-kind 500-year-old market called 'Ima Keithel' which is located in Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal. It is solely run and managed by women and is reportedly the world's largest all-women market.

Paying homage to the women who have been working centuries after centuries in the unique 'Ima Keithel', which literally translates to 'Mother's Market', the Manipur tableau highlighted women's crucial roles in socio-economic activities and pointed out how the Manipuri women possess the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. 

The front side of the tableau featured a woman collecting lotus stems from Manipur's Loktak Lake, located 50 km south of Imphal; famous for being one of the largest lakes in the northeast. The sides of the tableau showed women rowing boats and collecting lotus stems. A replica of Ima Keithel was displayed behind the state's tableau.

In addition to this, the northeastern state's tableau also featured popular fabrics that were innovated by the women of Manipur. These include globally acclaimed woven cloths called Leirum Phi, Mayek-Naibi, and Moirang Phi which have their respective GI tags and are all made by Manipuri women.

India's first lotus silk maker, Bijiyashanti Tongbram, innovated the process of making lotus silk in India, which was also featured on the tableau.   

According to the tableau's chief designer's son and assistant, Sanjib Meitei, Bijyashanti not only employs local women but also exports lotus silk to other countries, reported NDTV. This has established India as the world's fourth-largest exporter of lotus silk. Her achievements earned her the prestigious 'Changemaker of the Northeast 2020' award and have brought immense pride to the nation.   

The Central Government has announced this year's Republic Day parade theme will be centred around women, with the main themes as 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Bharat- Loktantra ki Matruka.'

Taking inspiration from the same, 26 tableaux rolled down the Kartavya Path on this year's 75th Republic Day and showcased women's roles in various socio-economic activities as well as their contribution as scientists.