By: Asem Bhakta Singh
SENAPATI: Purul village in Manipur came alive with celebration as the annual Purul (Hiimai) Paoki Festival concluded on Wednesday, drawing crowds from across the region and offering a vibrant glimpse into age-old farming traditions and community life.
Held from May 4 to 6, the three-day festival was organised by the Purul Youth & Students’ Organisation (PYSO) with support from the State Tourism Department. It blended cultural heritage with hands-on participation in traditional agriculture.
The festival opened with preparations for a community feast. Day two saw the uprooting of paddy saplings and the arrival of guests. The final day focused on _Paobii Payu_, the traditional transplantation of saplings, as fields turned into hubs of activity with participants working side by side.
Chief Guest Thaithuilung Pamei, IAS, Commissioner of Agriculture, Sericulture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, said the festival reflects the enduring bond between people and land. “Such traditions carry the wisdom of earlier generations while pointing to the need for modern agricultural practices to sustain livelihoods,” he said, adding that efforts are on to introduce improved farming techniques and training for farmers.
PYSO President R L Nada Redeem said the festival goes beyond farming. “It reminds us of shared values and inherited knowledge,” he said, crediting village elders for preserving the tradition and guiding youth.
A hallmark of the festival was its open hospitality, with residents serving food to all attendees.
The event also featured a traditional wrestling competition that ran late into the night. Veikholou of Saranamei clinched the top title.
With over a thousand attendees, the Paoki Festival — a recognised State tourism festival — once again underscored its role as both a cultural celebration and a platform for promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
