New Delhi, March 04: Three Manipur artistes namely Mairenbam Maniton Singh in Nata Sankritana Music, Laishram Bina Devi in Manipuri Dance and Laishram Ibochouba Singh in Theatre Lighting were among those 30 young artistes of India selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Pruskar for 2007, which was announced here last evening by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.

Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, which was an autonomous body of Government of India and apex institution of performing arts in the country, introduced for the first time the awards for young artists from the year 2006. In the last year, 33 young artists including two artistes namely Sijagurumayum Nimita Devi in Manipuri Dance and Thokchom Imomacha Singh in Manipuri martial art (Thang-Ta) from Manipur, who have made a mark in their respective fields of performing arts were selected from all over the country for the awards.

In this year, eight young artistes for Hindustani, Carnatic and other major traditions of music were selected in the field of music while eight young artistes were selected in the field of dance for Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Music for Dance-Bharatnatyam Mridangam.

In the field of Theatre, eight young artistes were selected for acting, direction and lighting.

Six artists from various parts of the country were selected for their talents in different forms of traditional/folk/tribal dance, music, theatre and puppetry.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar is awarded to the young artistes below the age of 35 years as on the first April of the year and covers music, dance, theatre , puppetry and different forms of traditional performing arts.

It's main objective is to identify and encourage outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and give them a national recognition early in life so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in life long pursuit of their chosen form of art.

The Yuva Puruskar carries a purse money of Rs.25,000/-.

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