Hmar has gained recognition as one of the scheduled tribe as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of tribes, Hmar tribes mostly reside in the southern area of Manipur state , especially in the districts of Churachandpur and alsi its neighboring regions. This area comprises of Tuthaphai , and mighty rivers like Tuiruong (Barak), Tuivai and Tuithapui (Khuga) also flow through this area, thus making the place quite ideal for the tribes to settle down in large numbers.

The origin of these Hmar tribal communities is quite interesting. In the year 1910, Watkin Roberts, a Welsh missionary, have introduced the Hmar tribes of mainly southern region of Manipur to Christianity. When he sent a copy of the Gospel of John to an Hmar chief, the latter invited Roberts to come and explain the meaning of this Holy Scripture. The leader of the Hmar was so very much influenced he along with five of his young tribes got converted to Christianity. Although the British rulers imposed a ban on him and uprooted him from his place of residence, he was not deterred from his resolve of taking up this religion. These converts really developed their faith on Christianity and undertook leadership of propagating the religion amongst other Hmar tribes. They became so powerful that the next two generations took up the religion. Their age old practice, which the Hmar tribes followed since their inception, was being prohibited.

The Hmar tribes are beautiful to look at. Although they are short in height, their sturdy, dark hair locks, brown skin depicts their courageous vigor.

Cultural embellishes are being identified in the Hmar tradition of revering dance forms , festivals , music etc. The Hmars show their expertise in these conventional folk dances, folk songs that nicely represent scenes of adventure, battle, love, victory, and other experiences throughout history.

Today, children of the `India Children`s Choir` are direct descendants of the initial Christian converters, as mentioned above. These Hmar tribes have got no written documents of their historical development. So this choir, over the years, has retained the musical tradition, thus throwing glimpse of their rich heritage.

Beautiful harmony, poetic word pictures and strong visual impact characterize their music. Lamlam is another special walking dance form of Hmar tribes. Earlier, the words, dancing steps and motions heralded the headhunting triumphs. However, today , the Hmar children perform the Lamlam as an evolution from the primeval days of darkness to the magnificent `light of the Gospel`.