Imphal: Meitei Chanu 2017 is a unique beauty pageant.

The contest, which will culminate in a grand finale here on Saturday, is aimed at preserving and promoting traditional Meitei culture and way of life.

The event is organised by Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung, a cultural group, to educate the culture and tradition of the Meitei to the younger generation.

On the day of the screening, more than 50 aspirants turned up. However, only 35 contestants were shortlisted for the competition, which includes traditional cooking, cleaning, serving the elders and, of course, catwalk.

"Our objective of organising this event is to preserve the age-old traditions of the Meiteis and to make the younger generation aware of the culture and way of life so that they are preserved. The pageant is not to select only the beautiful girl, but to make them aware of the Meitei way of life, culture, tradition and religion and select the one who can present best the Meitei tradition as Meitei Chanu ( chanu is a title given to unmarried girl)," Tampak Puba, publicity secretary of the organising committee, said.

On the first day of the competition, the organisers took the contestants to an old-age home and let them see the condition of the elderly people. They competed on serving and helping the inmates of the home.

The organisers took them to the Kangla Fort to give them a lesson on the cultural and religious importance of the historical place.

The next competition is cooking indigenous food in the traditional method and age-old culture of cleaning the courtyard in the traditional way.

They cooked in earthen pots, as was done in the past.

On the final day, they will perform the traditional role of a Meitei girl.

"Our aim is to make Meitei girls and married women aware of our forefathers' religious way, culture and traditions," Ishorjit Chandam, one of the organisers, said.