Reviving Ancient Echoes: First North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026 Kicks Off
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla opens the first North East Waree Leeba Festival to revive the ancient Meitei storytelling art form in Manipur.
In a grand effort to preserve a fading cultural treasure, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla officially inaugurated the first North East Waree Leeba Festival 2026. The event, held at the Irom Meijrao Mamang Community Hall in Imphal West on Tuesday, marks a significant milestone in the quest to save one of the region's most unique narrative traditions from the brink of oblivion.
The five-day celebration is a collaborative effort organized by the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Khurai, in partnership with the Irom Meijrao Women for Cultural Centre. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Art & Culture Minister Kh Loken Singh, alongside several esteemed gurus and artists.
Honoring the Masters of Storytelling
The festival began on a poignant note as Governor Bhalla paid floral tributes to the portraits of three departed Waree Leeba gurus, acknowledging their lifelong dedication to the craft. In a gesture of regional unity, the Governor also felicitated gurus who had traveled from Assam and Tripura to participate in the festivities.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor lauded the Repertory of Waree Leeba for uniting artists from across the North Eastern states. He emphasized that Waree Leeba is far more than simple entertainment; it is a "living tradition" that serves as a bridge between generations, carrying the myths, beliefs, and legends of ancestors into the modern era.
"Preserving this tradition is essential for safeguarding an important part of Manipur’s cultural identity and memory," the Governor stated, expressing hope that the festival would spark sustained efforts to strengthen cultural cooperation across the Northeast.
The Magic of Waree Leeba: Art Without Instruments
During the event, the Governor witnessed the power of this art form firsthand. Renowned artist Shyamkanhai Singh delivered a captivating presentation of an episode from the Mahabharata. The Governor praised Singh's expressive narration and ability to bring the ancient epic to life through the specific techniques of Waree Leeba.
What exactly is Waree Leeba?
Waree Leeba is a traditional solo narrative storytelling art practiced by the Meitei community of Manipur. Its roots stretch back centuries, dating to the reign of King Khagemba (1597–1652 AD). Unlike many other performing arts, it is characterized by a striking lack of musical accompaniment. Instead, the performance relies entirely on the skill of a single male artist who embodies every character in the story.
The traditional setup includes:
- The Vyasa Asana: The seat where the performer sits.
- The White Pillow: Used by the artist, who occasionally strikes it for dramatic emphasis.
- The Lairik-phan: A wooden stool covered in white cloth that holds the sacred text.
The performer blends rhythmic narration with intense facial expressions, dynamic hand gestures, and mimicry. To create an immersive experience, the artist uses vocal sound effects to imitate the wind, thunder, or animal noises, drawing stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Meitei folklore, and spiritual teachings.
A Race Against Time
Despite its richness, Waree Leeba has faced a steep decline. Until the late 1970s and early 1980s, these performances were common sights at temple mandaps and in the spacious verandahs of local neighborhoods. However, the rise of digital entertainment, rapid urbanization, and the fast pace of contemporary life have eroded public patronage.
The crisis has been deepened by the passing of veteran masters without a sufficient number of trained successors. In diaspora communities, such as those in Tripura, the lack of formal transmission of traditional Meiteilon diction has led to simplified or distorted versions of the art.
The 1st North East Waree Leeba Festival, supported by the Ministry of Culture, aims to reverse this trend. By bringing together veteran gurus and younger artists from Manipur, Assam, and Tripura, organizations like the Repertory of Waree Leeba, Manipur (ROWLM) are working tirelessly to document the craft and re-engage the youth in this ancestral legacy.