'Art & Culture Dept committed to promoting artistes, artisans'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 20 2018:
Referring to the 'adverse publicity' in the media regarding poor/non-functioning of Department of Art & Culture, the Department clarified that its main objective is also to promote artistes and artisans despite of poor budget and limited fund and resources.
According to a press release issued by the Director of Art & Culture Department, artistes and artisans of the State are being promoted by giving platform for performances and activities in different parts of the country and abroad to showcase the rich Manipuri art, culture and heritage.
The Department has been promoting activities which seek to enhance the living conditions of the artistes and artisans socially, economically and culturally for which the Department provides financial assistance in the form of Old Age Pension of Rs 1000 per month to 150 beneficiaries through Manipur State Kala Akademi, recognition of artistes and Gurus through the annual Manipur State Kala Akademi Fellowships and Awards carrying purse money of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50000 and citation respectively, encouragement to young generation of artistes through Young Talent Award with purse money of Rs 25000 and as a facilitator to the pursuance of higher studies in the field of art, young artistes are given scholarship and fellowship under eminent gurus in which the students and gurus are paid fees of Rs 1000 each per month for the course they carry out for two years.
The Department has a scheme of financial assistance for registered cultural organisations annually.
Under this scheme, about 400 cultural organisations in the valley districts of the State and Assam are being helped in their yearly activities.
Some well established institutions such as Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Cultural Forum, Kalashetra Manipur, Chorus Repertory Theatre in the State and Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Assam are given Rs 1 lakh per annum as assistance, it said.