View source for Meetei Chanu

{{Infobox organization
| name                  = Miss Meetei Chanu
| image                  = File:MEETEI CHANU.jpg
| image_size             = 300px
| caption               = "Meetei Chanu" 
| motto                 = 
| type                  = [[Beauty pageant]]
| headquarters          = [[Imphal]]
| location              = [[Manipur]]
| formation             = 2016
| language              = [[Meitei language|Meitei]] ([[Manipuri language|Manipuri]])
| key_people            = [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]], Ishorjit Chandam (organizers), Tampak Puba (publicity secretary)<ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/contest-on-meitei-way-of-life/cid/1425684 | title=Contest on Meitei way of life }}</ref> 
| affiliations          = 
| parent_organization   = Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung (LSSP)
| budget                =
| website               = 
}}
'''Miss Meetei Chanu''' or '''Miss Meitei Chanu''' is an annual beauty pageant that is run by the [[Manipur]] based ''Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung'' (LSSP). The event aims to make [[Meitei people|Meitei women]] understand the culture and tradition of [[Sanamahism]] ([[Meitei religion]]). It is one of the most watched beauty pageants in [[North East India]]. It co-exists with [[Miss Manipur]], [[Femina Miss India Manipur]] and [[Miss Kangleipak]].<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/><ref name="pothashang.in">{{cite web | url=http://www.pothashang.in/2018/11/01/meetei-chanu-2018/ | title=Meetei Chanu 2018 &#124; Pothashang News | date=November 2018 }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web | url=http://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/20/meetei-chanu-final-contest-december-23/ | title='MEETEI CHANU' FINAL CONTEST ON DECEMBER 23 &#124; Pothashang News | date=20 December 2017 }}</ref>
== Background ==
The Miss Meetei Chanu beauty pageant was first held in 2016. It was organised by the ''Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung'' (LSSP), a socio-religious group, based in [[Manipur]], [[India]]. The event is organised under the guidance of [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]], His Highness, the present king of [[Manipur]]. Besides being a [[beauty pageant]], the event also includes [[#Challenge Events|cultural activities like cooking dishes, cleaning courtyards and serving elders in traditional ways]].<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>

<blockquote>"Our objective of the event is to preserve the age of traditions of the Meiteis and to make the younger generations aware of the culture and way of life so the earth 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."</blockquote>
_ Tampak Puba, general publicity secretary of the organising committee said.<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>

Many elements of the [[Meitei culture]] are included in the contest. The contestants are to prepare [[Meitei cuisine|indigenous dishes]] in traditional way. The cooking utensils are earthen ones, following the old practices. Other than this, cleaning of courtyard and service to the old people are also the parts of the event.<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>

<blockquote>"Our aim is to make Meitei girls and married women aware of our forefathers' religious way, culture and tradition."</blockquote>
_ Ishorjit Chandam, an organizer of the event said.<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>
== Special Awards ==
Besides the overall top 3 awards, the following are the special awards. 
{|class="wikitable"
!Special awards
!Latin-Roman transliterations
!English translation/equivalent terms
|-
|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯤꯕꯤ ꯁꯝꯂꯥꯡ
|Ningthibi Samlang
|Best hair<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web | url=http://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/24/laishram-shilla-chanu-wins-meetei-chanu/ | title=Laishram Shilla Chanu wins Meetei Chanu &#124; Pothashang News | date=24 December 2017 }}</ref>
|-
|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯤꯕꯤ ꯃꯤꯅꯣꯛ
|Ningthibi Minok
|Best smile<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯤꯕꯤ ꯈꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ
|Ningthibi Khongthang
|Best walk<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
|ꯊꯧꯒꯟꯂꯣꯟ ꯆꯪꯈꯣꯟꯕꯤ/ꯊꯧꯒꯜ ꯂꯣꯟꯆꯠ ꯐꯖꯕꯤ
|Thouganlon Changkhonbi/Thougal Lonchat Phajabi
|Best manners<ref name="pothashang.in"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
|ꯃꯃꯤꯗ ꯃꯁꯛ ꯐꯖꯕꯤ
|Mami Da Masak Phajabi
|Miss Photogenic<ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|-
|ꯍꯦꯟꯗꯣꯛꯅ ꯃꯇꯤꯛ ꯃꯌꯥꯢ ꯆꯦꯟꯕꯤ
|Hendokna Matik Mayai Chenbi
|Miss Outstanding Quality<ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|}
== Challenge Events ==
The contest has both non-costume based as well as costume based events. Generally, the costume based events are performed later.
== Non-costume based events ==
{{Expand list}}
The non-costume based events include the following rounds. 
{|class="wikitable"
!Event names
!Latin-Roman transliterations
!English translation/description
|-
|ꯅꯥꯆꯣꯝ ꯁꯦꯝꯕ
|Nachom Semba 
|making flower bunch to wear<ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|-
|ꯆꯦꯡ ꯈꯩꯕ-ꯈꯞꯄ
|Cheng Kheiba-Khappa 
|husking paddy<ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|-
|ꯁꯨꯃꯥꯡ ꯋꯥꯢ ꯇꯩꯕ 
|Shumang Wai Teiba 
|courtyard mop contest<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/16/meeetei-chanu-aspirants-compete-wai-teiba/ | title=MEEETEI CHANU ASPIRANTS COMPETE ON WAI TEIBA &#124; Pothashang News | date=16 December 2017 }}</ref>
|-
|ꯐꯨ ꯍꯧꯕ/ꯃꯊꯦꯜ ꯂꯨꯀꯣꯢ ꯊꯣꯡꯕ
|Phu Houba/Mathel Lukoi Thongba
|traditional kitchen service<ref name="pothashang.in"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/15/meetei-chanu-crosses-phu-houba/ | title='MEETEI CHANU' CROSSES 'PHU HOUBA' &#124; Pothashang News | date=15 December 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp3..071019.oct19 | title=4th Meetei Chanu : 07th oct19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines }}</ref>
|-
|ꯂꯥꯢꯐꯝꯗ ꯎ ꯊꯥꯕ
|Laiphamda oo thaaba
|visiting Meetei places of worship for tree plantation<ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|}
== Costume-based events ==
The costume based events include three rounds.
{|class="wikitable"
! Event names
! Latin-Roman transliterations
! English translation/equivalent terms
! Description
|-
| ꯑꯌꯨꯛꯀꯤ ꯌꯦꯟꯗꯥ
| Ayukki Yenda
| Introductory Round
| Contest for daily costumes of Meetei women worn at the dawn during the morning activities like praying to the God.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
| ꯂꯥꯢ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ
| Lai Haraoba traditional round
| Lai Haraoba traditional round
| Contest for costumes of Meetei women worn during [[Lai Haraoba]].<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
| ꯑꯀꯦ-ꯑꯃꯧ
| Ake-Amou round
| Last round
| Contest for costumes of Meetei women worn during socio-cultural ceremonies.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|}
== Recent Titleholders ==
{{Expand list}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Edition
! [[Meitei calendar|Meitei year]] (as bestowed during the contest) 
! Titleholders
! Venue of Competition
! Number of Entrants
|-
| 2019
| 3417
| Leiphrakpam Suchona Chanu
| [[Imphal]]
| 30<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2019/10/22/IMPHAL-Oct-22-Winner-of-Meetei-Chanu-2019-who-hailed-from-Bangladesh-Leiphrakpam-Suchona-Chanu-was-accorded-a-warm-welcome-at-Agartala-airport-today-She-left-for-her-country-today-evening-.html | title=Received }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp5..231019.oct19 | title=Received : 23rd oct19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bojrokontho.com/17446 |title=ভারতের 'মীতৈ চনু- ২০১৯' এর বিজয় মুকুট অর্জনকারী কমলগঞ্জের 'সুচনা চনু'-কে সংবর্ধনা |access-date=2021-12-17 |archive-date=2021-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217095727/https://www.bojrokontho.com/17446 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.koranginews24.com/news/9005 | title=কমলগঞ্জে মণিপুরি কন্যা সংবর্ধিত | access-date=2021-12-17 | archive-date=2024-11-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130120933/https://www.koranginews24.com/news/9005 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=লৈফ্রাকপম সূচনা থামোয়গী ইন্টারভিউ: মীতৈ চনু ২০১৯গী ৱারী|url=https://enaat.net/%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%88%e0%a6%ab%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%ae-%e0%a6%b8%e0%a7%82%e0%a6%9a%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%a5%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%8b%e0%a7%9f%e0%a6%97%e0%a7%80/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217095039/https://enaat.net/%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%88%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8B%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80/|archive-date=2021-12-17|access-date=2021-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newsvisionbd.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%88-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9F-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82/ |title=মীতৈ চনু মুকুট জিতলেন বাংলাদেশের লৈফ্রাকপম সুচনা - News Vision BD |access-date=2021-12-17 |archive-date=2021-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217094658/https://newsvisionbd.com/%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%80%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%88-%e0%a6%9a%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%81-%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%9f-%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a4%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%82/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| 3416
| Oinam Merina Chanu
| [[Imphal]]
| <ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|-
| 2017
| 3415
| Laishram Shilla Chanu
| [[Imphal]]
| 35<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/laishram-shilla-crowned-meitei-chanu-2017.html | title=Laishram Shilla crowned Meitei Chanu 2017 | date=24 December 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Laishram Shilla crowned Meetei Chanu-2017|url=http://thepeopleschronicle.in/daily/english/831|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217114833/http://thepeopleschronicle.in/daily/english/831|archive-date=2021-12-17|access-date=2021-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 September 2010|title=Laishram crowned Meitei Chanu|url=https://assamtribune.com/laishram-crowned-meitei-chanu}}</ref>
|}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Other websites ==
{{Commonscat|Meetei Chanu}}
* [https://www.pothashang.in/?s=Meetei+Chanu Meetei_Chanu_pothashang.in]
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Meetei+Chanu&sa.x=0&sa.y=0 Meetei_Chanu_e-pao.net]
* [https://enaat.net/tag/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%88-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81/ Meetei_Chanu_enaat.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217114940/https://enaat.net/tag/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%88-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%81/ |date=2021-12-17 }}

[[Category:Meitei festivals]]
[[Category:Beauty pageants]]