MaolKeki Foundation(MKF ) is pleased to announce the successful Tour of Switzerland and Franceby Ms. Mangkaand Oja Mangangsana from Laihui Ensemble. Accompanied by Ms. Nirupa Sanjenbam, Head of Projects of the Foundation who provided logistical and management support during the Tour, they left Imphal bound for Basel on 10thApril and returned to Imphal on 19th April after a series of five successful workshops and performances.
Felicitated after a successful tour of Switzerland and France.
The Tour started with a Masterclass at the Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse in Saint Louis, France, where students, young and old, from the class of Ms. Marie Royer Camilleri were able to sing and dance along with Mangka and Oja Mangangsana. Following the exchange, some of the participants were open to learning further in the form of month-long exchange programs between Lalhui and the school.
The second event of the Tour was a performance in Allschwil, Switzerland, at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute or Swiss TPH, one of the world’s leading institutes in global health. Swiss TPH has been helping to develop the last-mile integrated agriculture and health programs run by the MaolKeki Foundation in rural parts of Manipur.
The third performance was a concert in an intimate setting at the Caveau du Café Littéraire, also in Saint-Louis, during which the Manipuri artistes were joined by Ms. Angela Sterzer, a German lady who teaches Manipuri dance in Paris. MKF would particularly like to thank Mr. Stéphane Valdenaire for helping to organize this and Saint Louis Mairie for hosting us.
The highlight of the Tour was a concert at India Day in Riehen, Basel, during which Mangka and Oja Mangangsana performed as a father-daughter duo as well as in collaboration with Angela and Mr. Enrico Lenzin, a well-known Swiss Alphorn player.
Together, they mesmerized a crowd of over 700 people with a beautiful rendition of Manipuri dances, folk songs, Pena music, and Swiss Alphorn. Team Laihui is already working on a plan to continue the collaboration with Enrico with a joint concert in Manipur so those in Manipur can also enjoy the unique music created by the fusion of east and west instruments and vocals.
For the invitation and support throughout the entire process, MKF would particularly like to thank Dr. Ram Mitra, President of the Association of Friends of India Basel.
Mangka’s last performance in Switzerland was hosted by the Indian Embassy in Bern on 17 April during which Mangka and Oja Mangangsana gave yet another beautiful rendition of Manipuri folk dances, songs and music to an audience comprising of Embassy staff, important stakeholders and supporters of the Tour. The show culminated with Mangka and Oja Mangangsana being felicitated by Mr. Deepak Bansal, Chargé d’Affaires.
Dr. Shachi Gurumayum, a Trustee of the MaolKeki Foundation who played a pivotal role in putting this Tour together, said, “MKF is truly honoured and proud to have been able to put this Tour together. The artistes did a tremendous job and we were very impressed at how their online collaboration prior to the Tour materialized into a concrete and fantastic performance over two days of practicing together.
Tour and collaboration, a first of its kind between French, German, Manipuri and Swiss artistes, would not have been possible without the benevolent support of many organizations and individuals around the world.”
”Dr. Shachi further added, “MKF would like to thank all the donors and supporters, especially the Government of Manipur, Manipur Tourism, European Manipuri Association, Association of Friends of India Basel, Gemeinde Riehen, Swisslos, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Ville de Saint Louis Alsace, Laihui, Thawai Hou, Balmetica, The Classic Group of Hotels, and 11 Manipuris living around the world who each made significant individual contributions.”
About MaolKeki Foundation
MaolKeki Foundation is a pioneering organization established with the purpose of catalysing positive development in Manipur primarily in the areas of agriculture, education and healthcare. MaolKeki Foundation is registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and more information can be found at http://www.maolkekifoundation.org.
