# Meetei Chanu

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{{Short description|Beauty pageant}}
{{About|a beauty pageant|the [Meitei](/source/Meitei_language) nomenclature|Chanu (name suffix)}}
{{Redirect|Meitei Chanu (beauty pageant)|other uses|Meitei Chanu (disambiguation){{!}}Meitei Chanu}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = Miss Meetei Chanu
| image               = Meetei Chanu.jpeg
| image_size          = 300px
| caption             = Official logo of the "Meetei Chanu" beauty pageant organization
| type                = [Beauty pageant](/source/Beauty_pageant)
| headquarters        = [Imphal](/source/Imphal)
| location            = [Manipur](/source/Manipur)
| formation           = 2016
| language            = [Meitei](/source/Meitei_language) ([Manipuri](/source/Manipuri_language))
| key_people          = [Leishemba Sanajaoba](/source/Leishemba_Sanajaoba), Ishorjit Chandam (organizers), Tampak Puba (publicity secretary)<ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{Cite news |title=Contest on Meitei way of life |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/contest-on-meitei-way-of-life/cid/1425684 |access-date=2022-06-14 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref>
| affiliations        = 
| parent_organization = [Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung](/source/Lainingthou_Sanamahi_Sana_Pung) (LSSP)
| budget              = 
| website             = 
}}
'''Miss Meetei Chanu''' or '''Miss Meitei Chanu''' is an international annual beauty pageant that is run by the [Manipur](/source/Manipur) based ''[Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung](/source/Lainingthou_Sanamahi_Sana_Pung)'' (LSSP). The event aims to make [Meitei women](/source/Meitei_people) understand the culture and tradition of [Sanamahism](/source/Sanamahism) ([Meitei religion](/source/Sanamahism)). It is one of the most watched beauty pageants in [North East India](/source/North_East_India). It co-exists with [Miss Manipur](/source/Miss_Manipur), [Femina Miss India Manipur](/source/Femina_Miss_India_Manipur) and [Miss Kangleipak](/source/Miss_Kangleipak).<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/><ref name="pothashang.in">{{Cite web |date=2018-11-01 |title=Meetei Chanu 2018 |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2018/11/01/meetei-chanu-2018/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |date=2017-12-20 |title='Meetei Chanu' Final Contest on December 23 |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/20/meetei-chanu-final-contest-december-23/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Background ==
The Miss Meetei Chanu beauty pageant was first held in 2016. It was organised by the ''[Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung](/source/Lainingthou_Sanamahi_Sana_Pung)'' (LSSP), a socio-religious group, based in [Manipur](/source/Manipur), [India](/source/India). The event is organised under the guidance of [Leishemba Sanajaoba](/source/Leishemba_Sanajaoba) ({{langx|mni|{{script|Mtei|[ꯂꯩꯁꯦꯝꯕ ꯁꯅꯥꯖꯥꯎꯕ](/source/%EA%AF%82%EA%AF%A9%EA%AF%81%EA%AF%A6%EA%AF%9D%EA%AF%95_%EA%AF%81%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%96%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%8E%EA%AF%95)}}}}), His Highness, the present titular king of [Manipur](/source/Manipur). Besides being a [beauty pageant](/source/beauty_pageant), the event also includes cultural activities like cooking dishes, cleaning courtyards and serving elders in traditional ways.<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>

{{Quote|''"Our objective of the event is to preserve the age of traditions of the [Meiteis](/source/Meiteis) and to make the younger generations aware of [the culture](/source/Meitei_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."''|Tampak Puba, general publicity secretary, organising committee<ref name="telegraphindia.com"/>}}

Many elements of the [Meitei culture](/source/Meitei_culture) are included in the contest. The contestants are to prepare [indigenous dishes](/source/Meitei_cuisine) 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"/>

{{Quote|''"Our aim is to make Meitei girls and married women aware of our forefathers' [religious way](/source/Sanamahism), [culture and tradition](/source/Meitei_culture)."''|Ishorjit Chandam, organizer<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 |date=2017-12-24 |title=Laishram Shilla Chanu wins Meetei Chanu |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/24/laishram-shilla-chanu-wins-meetei-chanu/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News |language=en-GB}}</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|date=June 2022}}
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 |date=2017-12-16 |title=Meetei Chanu Apirants Compete on Wei Teiba |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/16/meeetei-chanu-aspirants-compete-wai-teiba/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|ꯐꯨ ꯍꯧꯕ/ꯃꯊꯦꯜ ꯂꯨꯀꯣꯢ ꯊꯣꯡꯕ
|Phu Houba/Mathel Lukoi Thongba
|traditional kitchen service<ref name="pothashang.in"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-15 |title='Meetei Chanu' Crosses 'Phu Houba' |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2017/12/15/meetei-chanu-crosses-phu-houba/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=4th Meetei Chanu : 07th oct19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp3..071019.oct19 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=e-pao.net}}</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](/source/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"/>
|}

== Foreign delegates ==
In 2019, one delegate from [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh) and one from [Assam](/source/Assam) participated in the 4th Miss Meetei Chanu beauty pageant in [Manipur](/source/Manipur).<ref name="se22Sep2019">{{Cite news |title=Two Manipuris from Assam, Bangladesh participating in 4th Meetei Chanu pageant |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2019/9/22/IMPHAL-Sep-22-With-two-Manipuris-from-Assam-and-Bangladesh-participating-the-audition-for-the-4th-Meetei-Chanu-beauty-pageant-began-today-at-Sangeet-Kala-Sangam-Hall-Khurai-Lamlong-Imphal-.html |access-date=2023-04-13 |work=The Sangai Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ep22Sep2019">{{Cite web |title=Two Manipuris from Assam, Bangladesh participating in 4th Meetei Chanu pageant : 23rd sep19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=17..230919.sep19 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

=== Bangladeshi delegate ===
'''Leiphrakpam Suchona Chanu''' ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯩꯐ꯭ꯔꯥꯛꯄꯝ ꯁꯨꯆꯣꯅꯥ ꯆꯅꯨ}}|}}) from Bangladesh auditioned for the pageant, along with 50 aspirants.<ref name="se22Sep2019" /><ref name="ep22Sep2019" /> 
L Suchona hails from a family of social and cultural activist parents, L Ibungohal Shyamal and L (O) Kunjarani Leima. Native to Bhanughas Tetai Gaon, Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh, she is an undergraduate student at [Leading University](/source/Leading_University), [Sylhet](/source/Sylhet), [Bangladesh](/source/Bangladesh).<ref name="se22Sep2019" /><ref name="ep22Sep2019" />
In her maiden visit to Manipur, L Suchona was taking part in the beauty pageant remembering the love for her roots of culture. Along with her, her father is promoting [Meitei culture](/source/Meitei_culture) in the sovereign nation of Bangladesh.<ref name="se22Sep2019" /><ref name="ep22Sep2019" />
She said to the public, regarding her participation in the event as follows:
{{Quote|''“Participating in the pageant and my stay in Manipur will provide me new insights into the [tradition and culture of Meeteis](/source/Meitei_culture). There are so many things to learn. I am extremely happy to be here.”<br />“Winning or losing doesn't matter. All I want is to learn about my [culture (Meetei), tradition](/source/Meitei_culture).”''<ref name="se22Sep2019" /><ref name="ep22Sep2019" />}}

Notably, she won the main title of the pageant, making herself the first Bangladeshi to win the title from India.<ref name="se22Oct2019">{{Cite news |title=Received |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 |access-date=2022-06-14 |work=The Sangai Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name="epao">{{Cite web |title=Received : 23rd oct19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp5..231019.oct19 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref name="bk">{{Cite web |script-title=bn:ভারতের ‘মীতৈ চনু- ২০১৯’ এর বিজয় মুকুট অর্জনকারী কমলগঞ্জের ‘সুচনা চনু’-কে সংবর্ধনা |url=https://www.bojrokontho.com/17446 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Bojrokontho |language=bn-bd}}</ref><ref name="kn">{{Cite web |script-title=bn:কমলগঞ্জে মণিপুরি কন্যা সংবর্ধিত |url=https://www.koranginews24.com/news/9005 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=www.koranginews24.com |date=24 October 2019 |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="enaat">{{Cite web |last=ডেস্ক |first=য়েন্নীং |date=2021-04-14 |title=লৈফ্রাকপম সূচনা থামোয়গী ইন্টারভিউ: মীতৈ চনু ২০১৯গী ৱারী |url=https://enaat.net/লৈফ্রাকপম-সূচনা-থামোয়গী/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Enaat |language=mni}}</ref><ref name="nvb">{{Cite web |last=Chitro |first=Bangladesh |script-title=bn:মীতৈ চনু মুকুট জিতলেন বাংলাদেশের লৈফ্রাকপম সুচনা - News Vision BD |url=https://newsvisionbd.com/মীতৈ-চনু-মুকুট-জিতলেন-বাং/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |language=bn}}</ref>

=== Delegates from Assam ===
'''Longjam Rabina Chanu''' ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯣꯡꯖꯝ ꯔꯕꯤꯅꯥ ꯆꯅꯨ}}|}}), from Bhatigram, Jaribon, Assam, participated the pageant in 2019. She is daughter of Rajkumar and Muhini Leima. She is pursuing [BCom](/source/BCom) at [Cachar College](/source/Cachar_College). She thanked the organiser [Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak](/source/Lainingthou_Sanna_Mahee_Sanna_Pung%2C_Kangleipak) (LSSP) for giving her the opportunity to represent as a [Manipuri woman](/source/Manipuri_people) in the pageant. She expressed her gratitude for having ''"an opportunity to learn new things"''.<ref name="se22Sep2019" /><ref name="ep22Sep2019" />

== Recent titleholders ==
{{Expand list|date=June 2022}}
{| class="wikitable"
! Edition
! [Meitei year](/source/Meitei_calendar) (as bestowed during the contest) 
! Country
! Titleholders
! Venue of Competition
! Number of Entrants
|-
| 2019
| 3417
| {{BAN}}
| Leiphrakpam Suchona Chanu ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯩꯐ꯭ꯔꯥꯛꯄꯝ ꯁꯨꯆꯣꯅꯥ ꯆꯅꯨ}}|}})
| [Imphal](/source/Imphal)
| 30<ref name="se22Oct2019" /><ref name="epao" /><ref name="bk" /><ref name="kn" /><ref name="enaat" /><ref name="nvb" />
|-
| 2018
| 3416
| {{IND}}
| Oinam Merina Chanu ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥꯝ ꯃꯦꯔꯤꯅꯥ ꯆꯅꯨ}}|}})
| [Imphal](/source/Imphal)
| <ref name="pothashang.in"/>
|-
| 2017
| 3415
| {{IND}}
| Laishram Shilla Chanu ({{langx|mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯥꯏꯁ꯭ꯔꯝ ꯁꯤꯜꯂꯥ ꯆꯅꯨ}}|}})
| [Imphal](/source/Imphal)
| 35<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-24 |title=Laishram Shilla crowned Meitei Chanu 2017 |url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/laishram-shilla-crowned-meitei-chanu-2017.html |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Northeast Now |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-15 |title=Laishram crowned Meitei Chanu|url=https://assamtribune.com/laishram-crowned-meitei-chanu |access-date=2022-06-14 |work=The Assam Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Meetei Chanu}}
* {{Cite web |title=Meetei Chanu |url=https://www.pothashang.in/search/Meetei%20Chanu/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Pothashang News |language=en-GB}}
* {{Cite web |title=Meetei Chanu — Manipur - E-Pao! :: Site Search |url=http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311:3788634109&cof=FORID:10&ie=UTF-8&q=Meetei+Chanu&sa.x=0&sa.y=0 |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web |title=মীতৈ চনু |url=https://enaat.net/tag/মীতৈ-চনু/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Enaat |language=mni}}

Category:Beauty pageants in  Manipur
Category:Beauty pageants in India
Category:Meitei culture
Category:Meitei folklore in popular culture
Category:Sanamahism
Category:Women in Meitei culture

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Meetei Chanu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meetei_Chanu) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meetei_Chanu?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.