Kolkata, March 5 (IANS) Manipuri people in Kolkata on Thursday celebrated Yaoshang,

the Manipuri Holi festival, with traditional dances and food.

Yaoshang is celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day (Friday) of Phalguna.

The highlight of the festival is the Thabal Chongba (moonlight) folk dance, performed by boys and girls, who form a circle, hold hands, sing and dance to the energetic beat of drums.

At the Manipur Bhavan, students from the northeastern state pursuing higher education in Kolkata, celebrated the festival by sprinkling powdered colours.

“There are about 100 people from Manipur. Most are students. The celebrations start in the evening and will go on till night,” Robson, a member of the Manipur Students’ Association Kolkata (MASAK), told IANS