41st Shumang Leela Festival kicks off
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 06 2013:
Under the aegis of Manipur State Kala Akademi, the 41st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2013 kick-started from today at Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound with Governor Gurbachan Jagat as Chief Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Gurbachan Jagat stated that Shumang Leela as a performing art form of Manipur loosely translated as courtyard theatre has been providing entertainment to the general public for decades.
However, such a vibrant performing art form is now finding it difficult to maintain its popularity because of the onslaught of modern entertainment forms like cinema, television, etc, the art form is facing serious crisis against the modern technology.
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The Governor observed that that it should be the responsibility of every citizen of the State to ensure that the rich tradition of Shumang Leela is preserved and propagated for posterity.
Research needs to be done on it so that this rich and vibrant art form is understood in its totality, he added.
While pointing out the need to patronage this art form, the Governor noted that without patronage, this art form may wither away like many other art forms of this State.
Nonetheless, he expressed happiness over the ability of the State to still preserve various indigenous art forms of the State though many of the indigenous art forms have been vanished in other parts of the country.
Delivering the Presidential speech, Padmashree RK Jhalajit stated that Shumang Leela has today become an art form which can change the society for the better.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the 40th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2012 on the occasion.