Seminar pitches for safeguard of Manipuri culture
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 19 2023:
Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) organised a one-day seminar on 'Contemporary Manipuri Culture and Nationalism' at Manipur Press Club here on Sunday and adopted several resolutions.
The resolutions included conduct of series of discussion sessions for critically analysis of Manipuri culture; consult with experts of different cultures and convene meetings after careful categorisation; and exert pressure on the government and all concerned including organisations related with culture for development of Manipuri culture.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the seminar, Art and Culture director Lourembam Kishworjit stressed on the need for the different communities living in the state to join hands and work for promoting unity and integrity.
It would be unwise to stay idle and continuously gloat over achievements by cultural artistes as Manipuri culture is gradually losing its sheen, he cautioned.
The director also highlighted the need for conducting similar seminars to preserve and promote cultures of Manipur and strive for unity among the various communities apart from expressing that conduct of such seminars will facilitate exchange of ideas among different communities and clearing misunderstandings, if any.
HERICOUN.
president Longjam Ratankumar, who presided over the seminar, said that history is evidence that culture has been taking vital roles in promoting unity among the people.
However, it is equally important to periodically discuss the impact given by the rapid changing technology and other forces to contemporary culture, he maintained.
The inaugural programme was also attended by Women's Association for Socio-Economic Development (WASDEV) president RK Tharaksana as one of presidium members.
In the first session of the seminar moderated by film critic and Swarna Kamal awardee Meghachandra Kongbam, cultural activist Narendra Ningomba read out a paper on the topic 'Roles of Shumang Leela in cultural nationalism of Manipuri contemporary society', MUC assistant professor Makhonmani Mongshaba on Manipuri theatre & its contribution to the society' and Manipuri State Film and Television Institute consultant Bobby Wahengbam on Voyage of Manipur cinema & its socio-economic implications'.
During the second session moderated by MU EMRC retired director Dr Nongthombam Premchand, Khenjonglang director Dr S Thanil Leima read paper on the topic Manipuri culture and the changing society', MUC department of Umang Lai Haraoba guest faculty Mutum Maniton alias Nganba on 'Importance of Lai Haraoba in our society', MUC Thang-ta department assistant professor Yengkhom Sanjitkumar on 'Relationship between Thang-ta and the society' .