MDU foundation day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2013 :
The 83rd foundation day of Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) was celebrated today at MDU Hall here wherein a folk drama festival was also opened.
On the occasion of its foundation day, MDU felicitated renowned theatre personality Ratan Thiyam.
The function was graced by PHE Minister I Hemochandra as chief guest, Sangeet Natak Academy Awardee Laishram Birendrakumar as guest of honour and MDU president Kshetrimayum Ibohal as functional president.
The function opened with offering of floral tributes to photographs of artistes who founded MDU on March 15, 1931.Three selected artistes of MDU were also conferred awards.
This was followed by presentation of a citation to Sangeet Natak Academy Fellow Ratan Thiyam by the chief guest.
Speaking at the occasion, Ratan Thiyam stated that plays/dramas are powerful media for cleansing and changing the society.
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Plays analyse all aspects of human life and human society whether it be politics, economy or religion.
Plays constantly seek to correct misplaced systems.
But people who have taken up acting as their profession are often marginalised by the Government, Ratan Thiyam stated.
There is no cultural policy nor any arrangement for extending pension benefits to retired artistes.
Like all other people of different professions, artistes too need governmental support, he asserted.
Hemochandra appealed to all stalwarts of Manipuri culture to give the necessary guidance towards framing a cultural policy which would preserve Manipuri culture and make it vibrant.
It is reported that the folk dram festival which is being organised with support from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India would feature eight plays.