Manipur Governor inaugurates first North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026
The five-day event in Imphal West aims to promote and preserve the traditional Meitei storytelling art form.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the first North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026 at the Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall in Imphal West on Tuesday, according to ANI.
The five-day festival is organised by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, alongside the Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre.
During the event, the Governor honoured the portraits of three deceased Waree Leeba gurus and presented recognitions to gurus from Tripura and Assam.
Addressing the session, Governor Bhalla said the tradition serves to pass down ancestral myths, legends, and beliefs through generations.
He noted that preserving the art is vital for Manipur’s cultural identity and expressed hope that the festival would foster cultural cooperation across the North East.
The programme included a presentation of a Mahabharata episode by artist Shyamkanhai Singh and was attended by Art and Culture Minister Kh Loken Singh.