State to have school of narrative art forms soon
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 03 2011:
With the primary objective to revitalize and promote the dying forms of narrative art of strife-torn Manipur, a prominent cultural group of the state is all to set up a new school of it at Imphal probably next month.
Wari Leeba, Leirik Thiba Haiba, Khongjom Parba, Moirang Parba, Khulang Eshei and Pena recital are different narrative forms of storytelling on ancient Manipuri heroic legends, great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, Manipuri Sanamahi Leining (diety), and other factual events on different aspects and legendary folklore of the state.
Institute of Performing Arts, Manipur would set up the school at the complex of Manipuri Ensemble (ME) , a prominent theatre group of the state, at the historic Langthal Kunja in Imphal West, disclosed Kshetri Jugindro, director of ME.
Speaking on the inaugural function of a week-long festival of narrative art forms of Manipur at ME complex on Monday, Jugindro said on seeing the art form Gurus's plights in finding proper place to teach the subject matter to young enthusiasts, he has assured them to set up the school at his complex.
"We will make some new rooms for the new school within the current month and as of now the Ojas (Gurus) have almost finalized the subjects and syllabus of their respective art forms.
By next month or December, the first session of the maiden school would be started," Jugindro said.
Also the director of the week-long festival, Jugindro said that once the school is opened, the dying art form would be survived and the same would go on to its pinnacle enough to attract more students.
Legislature O Joy Singh of the opposition Manipur People's Party (MPP) , chief guest of the occasion, said the maiden school would give a new impetus to promote Manipuri culture.
To ensure people would easily reach to the ME complex, Joy Singh assured to develop and black top the road connecting the complex and National Highway 2 in addition to set up a water supply scheme near the complex.
On the inaugural day of the festival, Pena exponent L Yaima Singh and woman Khulang Eshei icon L Bedabati and her followers presented their respective narrative art forms.
Hordes of renowned narrative art form performers including Maibam Tomba, Loitam Ibetombi, T Shyamkanhai, Sougaijam Shamu, Kshetri Birjit ,Laishram Mani Devi among others would enthrall the capacity audience at ME complex in the remaining days of the festival being organized under the aegis of ministry of culture and Manipuri Ensemble.