Manipuri artistes perform the lai haraoba dance. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, May 26: For foreign students interested in Indian culture, there is good news. If things go according to plan, the students will get the opportunity to not only learn about Manipuri dance forms, but also the chance to master the arts.

The UGC has recently-named Manipur University in the list of 20 educational institutes that should take in students from foreign countries to study the art and culture of India.

Manipur University has decided to open a culture centre, where all forms of performing arts, including raslila, lai haraoba and the traditional martial art known as thang ta, can be studied by foreign as well as domestic students.

“After the UGC announced that foreign students could enrol in Manipur University, vice-chancellor N. Bijoy Singh decided to open a faculty for performing arts and culture of Manipur,” said R.K. Ranjan Singh, registrar of the university.

The registrar said only art and culture could attract foreign students to the university, as the other courses were offered at almost all universities.

Every year, a large number of students from abroad apply for courses on Manipur’s history and culture, he said.

To help the culture centre materialise, the university has submitted a proposal to the 12th Finance Commission, seeking funds for construction of the necessary infrastructure.